NLN Names 2008-2011 Centers of Excellence in Nursing Education at Education Summit in San Antonio

Six Schools Selected for Creating Environments that Promote Student Learning and Professional Development or the Pedagogical Expertise of Faculty

San Antonio – September 20, 2008 – In a special presentation as part of its annual four-day Education Summit, the National League for Nursing this morning announced the six schools of nursing to receive the organization’s prestigious Center of Excellence™ (COE) designation for 2008-2011.

Four schools named for the first time are: Duquesne University School of Nursing in Pittsburgh, PA: East Carolina University in Greenville, NC; Regis College in Weston, MA; and Trinitas School of Nursing in Elizabeth, NJ. Excelsior College in Albany, NY and University of North Carolina at Greensboro have achieved their second designation having been named Centers of Excellence 2005-2008.

Five schools were lauded for creating environments that promote student learning and professional development, one of several criteria used to evaluate candidates for COE designation. The sixth, the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, was chosen for creating an environment that fosters the pedagogical expertise of faculty. Each year since 2004 the NLN has invited nursing schools to apply based on their ability to demonstrate sustained excellence in faculty development, nursing education research, or student learning and professional development. Schools must also have a proven commitment to continuous quality improvement.

“The NLN is proud to recognize those schools whose faculty is doing the outstanding work that sets them apart from others,” said Dr. Beverly Malone, PhD, RN, FAAN, CEO of the NLN. “By publicly acknowledging these best academic practices, we hope to set the bar higher in nursing programs across the board so that those entering the profession will have the best tools available to meet the challenges of a diverse, ever-changing health care environment.”

In another facet of the presentation, Cindy H. Sinkey, an RN candidate at the University of South Dakota — Pierre was named winner of the 2008 Student Excellence Paper competition for her submission, “A Journey into Nursing.” Each year, students enrolled in COE schools have an opportunity to share their thoughts on the meaning of excellence in nursing education, what fosters excellence, and what it means to them to be part of a COE-designated nursing program. “Cindy’s paper demonstrates her wisdom and maturity, and as one who already understands the advantage of striving for excellence, we look forward to welcoming her as a valued colleague one day,” said NLN president Dr. Elaine Tagliareni, EdD, RN.

In keeping with the NLN mission to advance excellence in nursing education, throughout the three years that schools carry the COE designation, they are expected to be available to other schools seeking to move their own programs toward distinction. “Through the Centers of Excellence designation, nursing’s most exciting programs are made known to the entire academic community, thus inspiring everyone to strive for excellence,” Dr. Malone concluded.

Editors and reporters: For interview opportunities during the week of the Education Summit, please contact Jane Calem Rosen, communications consultant to the NLN at 201-906-7339 or email janeruth@aol.com. Following this week, please contact Karen Klestzick, chief communications officer of the NLN, at 212-812-0376 or kklestzick@nln.org.

Dedicated to excellence in nursing, the National League for Nursing is the premier organization for nurse faculty and leaders in nursing education offering faculty development, networking opportunities, testing services, nursing research grants, and public policy initiatives to its
27,000 individual and 1,200 institutional members.