The University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Nursing has been designated as an NLN Center of Excellence by the National League for Nursing, which recognizes schools that have demonstrated a commitment to excellence and invested resources over a sustained period of time to distinguish themselves in a specific area related to nursing education.
The School was specifically cited for its sustained efforts to "Enhance Student Learning and Professional Development.” The designation is for a four-year term, through 2021, which is renewable every four years thereafter.
“This designation is an external confirmation of the UAB School of Nursing’s commitment to preparing the future nursing leaders, and aligns with our strategic goals of maintaining excellence in teaching and learning, and provides acknowledgment of faculty efforts in continual quality improvement,” said Dean and Fay B. Ireland Endowed Chair in Nursing Doreen C. Harper, PhD, RN, FAAN.
“I am especially pleased to have been specifically recognized for our focus on innovative and flexible academic programs, promotion of student engagement through creative teaching strategies, and student and faculty involvement in the community,” she continued. “One of our School’s greatest achievements is producing professional and advanced practice nurses who care for patients with increasing rates of chronic diseases, especially those in rural and underserved areas. This award validates the continued hard work of our dedicated faculty and staff in this effort, and I applaud them.”The School will be formally recognized at the NLN’s 2017 Education Summit in San Diego, California on Saturday, September 16, which brings together more than 1,500 nurse faculty, deans, and administrators, and professionals from allied health organizations to share expertise and insight on topics that affect nursing education and practice, quality health care, and reflect the League’s core values.
“As a School of Nursing, we have a commitment to excellence in teaching, scholarship and service,” said Rhonda McLain, PhD, RN, Assistant Dean for Evaluation who headed the task force for NLN Center of Excellence designation. “We chose to seek designation as a validation for this excellence for faculty and staff, our students, clinical and community partners, and our broader community. This designation is a source of pride for our students and faculty, and the task force that put together the application was honored to tell our story of excellence and innovation in teaching.”
The task force that worked with McLain on the project included: Associate Dean for Technology and Innovation and Professor Jackie Moss, PhD, RN, FAAN; Associate Professor Michele Talley, PhD, CRNP, ACNP-BC; Assistant Professor Summer Powers, DNP, CRNP, ACNP-BC, AACC; Associate Professor Jennan Phillips, PhD, RN; Assistant Professor Tedra Smith, DNP, CRNP, CPNP-PC; Instructor Connie Hataway, PhD, RN, CNE; Associate Professor Debbie Kirk Walker, DNP, CRNP, NP-C, FNP-BC, AOCN, FAANP; Assistant Professor Nancy Wingo, PhD, MA; Professor Linda Roussel, PhD, RN, CNL, CCRN, NEA-BC, FAAN; Assistant Professor Sallie Shipman, EdD, MSN, RN, CNL; Marketing Specialist Jimmy Creed, BA; DNP student Eileen Meyer, MSN, CRNP; and BSN student Susan Darby.
NLN Centers of Excellence are expected to exemplify the League’s core values: caring, integrity, diversity, and excellence. This recognition distinguishes organizations that demonstrate sustained, evidence-based, and substantive innovation in the selected area; conduct ongoing research to document the effectiveness of such innovation; set high standards for themselves; and are committed to continuous quality improvement.
“The Center of Excellence in Nursing Education designation is additional confirmation of the excellence of our faculty,” said Linda Moneyham, PhD, RN, FAAN, Senior Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, who is currently serving a two-year term as a governor-at-large on the NLN Board of Governors. “Excellence is a core value of the School of Nursing culture. We have great academic program outcomes because of the high standards and commitment of our faculty to excellence.”
About the NLN
Dedicated to excellence in nursing, the National League for Nursing is the premier organization for nurse faculty and leaders in nursing education. The NLN offers professional development, networking opportunities, testing services, nursing research grants, and public policy initiatives to its 40,000 individual and 1,200 institutional members. NLN members represent nursing education programs across the spectrum of higher education, and health care organizations and agencies.
