A symbol of quality, commitment and dedication – that’s what most people see when an institution or organization receives a designation. When a hospital receives an American Nurses Credentialing Center Magnet Designation, then its employees, patients and community know that this hospital is dedicated to health care excellence. Schools of nursing also have an opportunity to showcase this same commitment to excellence with the National League for Nursing (NLN) Center of Excellence in Nursing Education designation.
Theresa “Terry” Valiga, EdD, RN, CNE, ANEF, FAAN, professor and director of the Institute for Educational Excellence and chair of the Clinical Health Systems & Analytics Division for the Duke University School of Nursing (DUSON), led a team of DUSON leaders, educators and researchers in helping the School earn two NLN designations – Creating Environments that Promote the Pedagogical Expertise of Faculty (2013-2017) and Creating Environments that Enhance Student Learning and Professional Development (2015-2019). Each of the designations is for a four-year period, and DUSON is one of two schools to currently hold dual designations.
“The NLN recognized years ago that there were no programs or initiatives to acknowledge nursing schools for the excellent work they are doing in educating our future clinicians, scholars, educators and leaders,” Valiga said. “This is why the organization developed the Center of Excellence program, which allows schools to showcase their level of excellence in any or all of the three designated areas.”
The NLN uses the designation to publically recognize an institution’s demonstration of evidence-based and substantive innovation, ongoing research to document the effectiveness of such innovation, the high standards set for itself, efforts to support ongoing development of the pedagogical expertise of faculty, and commitment to continuous quality improvement.
The process
The designation process is voluntary and involves schools submitting an “Application of Intent to Pursue Designation” indicating which of the three categories – Creating Environments that Enhance Student Learning and Professional Development, Creating Environments that Promote the Pedagogical Expertise of Faculty, and Creating Environments that Advance the Science of Nursing Education – it is seeking with a summary of activities related to the designation criteria.
Next, a consultant selected by NLN visits the institution to help guide the institution through the process, including providing feedback on areas of strengths and uniqueness, and to answer any questions regarding the process. The consultants chosen by NLN are from institutions that have obtained Center of Excellence designation and have, themselves, been through the process successfully.
Finally, institutions use the feedback from the consultant to refine and finalize its application to highlight relevant activities, initiatives and outcomes that contribute to the creation of an environment characterized by pervasive excellence.
Why pursue a designation?
The designation isn’t just to showcase the work of the institution to the public; it can also be a great way for an institution to learn about itself. “The process of gathering all of your school’s and colleagues' information to complete the application is a way of self-reflection,” Valiga said. “When your school includes various programs and centers, it can be hard to fully know the exciting work everyone is doing. But the process of pulling everything together in a comprehensive way helps you to see how all of the ‘little picture’ components of the school combine to make up this giant picture of excellence.”
Valiga also explains that applying for the designation is a shot in the arm. “It’s an opportunity to show the strengths of your school,” she said. “And even if your school isn’t in a place to obtain a designation, it can give you a picture of possible improvements.”
The NLN designation is also beneficial when recruiting faculty and students. It also serves the school and its members well when applying for grants or positioning for awards.
“The entire process is energizing because you are being rewarded for what you do – making a commitment to excellence in nursing education. I’m quite sure it’s the same feeling researchers have when they receive huge grants for their work,” said Valiga.
What’s next for DUSON?
No school has earned a designation in all three categories. Therefore, Valiga and her team are excited about pursuing the third designation in a few years and having the opportunity to be the first school to achieve this accomplishment.