Duke University School of Nursing (DUSON) is the only school in the nation to currently have three Centers of Excellence in Nursing Education designations from the National League for Nursing (NLN). DUSON was recognized at the NLN’s 2017 Education Summit in the categories “Advancing the Science of Nursing Education” (2017-2021), and “Promoting the Pedagogical Expertise of Faculty” (renewed 2017-2022). In 2015, DUSON was one of only two schools to receive two consecutive designations adding the category “Creating Environments that Enhance Student Learning and Professional Development (2015-2019).”

“After earning our second designation two years ago, we set a goal to obtain all three designations,” said Marion E. Broome, PhD, RN, FAAN, Duke University School of Nursing dean and Ruby Wilson Professor of Nursing, vice chancellor for Nursing Affairs at Duke University and associate vice president for Academic Affairs for Nursing at Duke University Health System. “To be the only nursing school in the nation to currently have all three designations showcases the commitment to excellence in nursing education and the high quality of our faculty.”

Broome added: “This would not be possible without the hard work and dedication of the faculty and staff of our Institute for Educational Excellence. They are committed to creating nurturing environments that produce teaching excellence, professional development, scholarship and academic advancement.”

A fourth category of the NLN Center of Excellence in Nursing Education was awarded to the Duke University Health System (DUHS) in the category “Creating Workplace Environments that Promote Academic Progression of Nurses” for 2016-2021. DUHS was the first health care organization in North Carolina to receive the designation.

The NLN Centers of Excellence in Nursing Education designations are for schools of nursing and health care organizations that have achieved a level of excellence in a specific area. The program acknowledges the outstanding innovations, commitment and sustainability of excellence that organizations convey.