DUHS Named NLN Center of Excellence in Nursing Education
Duke University Health System (DUHS) Nursing is pleased to announce that it has earned the National League of Nursing’s (NLN) prestigious designation as a Center of Excellence in Nursing Education™ for the years 2016-2021.
Schools of nursing apply for Center of Excellence (COE) status based on demonstrated and sustained excellence in faculty development, nursing education research, or student learning and professional development. Health care organizations may apply in, Creating Workplace Environments that Promote Academic Progression of Nurses. Applicants must also have a proven commitment to continuous quality improvement.
“The NLN is proud to recognize those schools and organizations that are doing the outstanding work that sets them apart from others,” said NLN president Dr. Anne Bavier. “By publicly acknowledging these best practices,” added NLN CEO Dr. Beverly Malone, “we promote the preparation of a diverse, culturally competent nursing workforce to deliver safe, effective patient care in our complex, dynamic health care environment.”
DUHS is the first health care organization in North Carolina to receive the designation. “It is a great honor to be considered a role model nationally for nursing leadership, for creating an environment where academic and professional development for every nurse is valued,” said Mary Ann Fuchs, DNP, RN, NEA-BC, FAAN, Vice President of Patient Care & System Chief Nurse Executive, DUHS; and Associate Dean for Clinical Affairs, Duke University School of Nursing (DUSON). “Our investments in professional development programs for nurses throughout our health system demonstrate our ongoing commitment to academic progression, and to improving patient care and outcomes through excellence and innovation.”
“The COE designation is an exemplar of the excellence of nursing education in practice at Duke Health System. It is also an important collaborative effort between DUHS Nursing and DUSON nurse educators and academic partners – one of the first major initiatives from an exciting new partnership between DUHS Nursing and DUSON, which leveraged the strengths of nurses across Duke,” said Marion E. Broome, PhD, RN, FAAN, Dean and Ruby Wilson Professor of Nursing, Duke University School of Nursing; Vice Chancellor for Nursing Affairs, Duke University; and Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs for Nursing, DUHS.
DUHS is one of 15 organizations that have achieved COE designation in 2016. The program was inaugurated in 2004 and, with this year’s awardees, there are now 56 schools and organizations that have attained COE status.
In keeping with the NLN mission to continually advance quality nursing education, throughout the four years that awardees carry the COE designation, they are expected to be available to other applicants seeking to move their own programs toward distinction.