The National League of Nurses has selected the UNC Charlotte School of Nursing as a 2016 Center of Excellence in Nursing Education.
The School of Nursing received the designation for creating environments that enhance student learning and professional development. The NLN Center of Excellence (COE) in Nursing Education designation is for schools of nursing and health care organizations that have achieved a level of excellence in a specific area. Through public recognition and distinction, the program acknowledges the outstanding innovations, commitment and sustainability of excellence these organizations convey.
“The School of Nursing (SON) is known in the community for its strong academic programs and for valuing excellence in practice, critical thinking and scholarly inquiry,” faculty leaders said. “We pride ourselves on creating strong learning environments and developing instructional programs that are responsive to the changing health care needs of the community.”
The SON also noted its focus on promoting values-based and evidence-based education, research and practice, along with the flexible curricula of the RN-BSN program and online learning tools.
Quality of faculty is a key criterion for the award, too.
“I appreciate the guidance and lessons I learned from a great group of people who went the extra mile to provide a wonderful education,” said Dianne Earnhardt, a 2015 graduate of the Dual DNP program.
Fifteen nursing programs in schools and in hospitals were recognized as Centers of Excellence this year.
“Centers of Excellence raise the bar for all nursing programs by serving as role models of visionary leadership and inclusive excellence that nurture the next generation of nurses,” said NLN CEO Beverly Malone.
NLN Centers of Excellence are expected to exemplify the league’s core values: caring, integrity, diversity and excellence. COE faculty bear a responsibility to share their experience, knowledge, and wisdom for the benefit of everyone in nursing education. They are expected to provide guidance and be available as sounding boards to other nursing programs that aim to achieve COE status.
The first designations were awarded schools of nursing in 2004 and the first designations for health care organizations were awarded in 2012. Currently, 56 institutions hold the NLN Center of Excellence in Nursing Education designation.