The University of Florida College of Nursing has been designated a Center of Excellence by the National League for Nursing in recognition of its role as a national leader in nursing education and teaching.
“The UF College of Nursing faculty is a community of academic nurse educators and scientists dedicated to continuous improvement in teaching and academic programs,” said Anna M. McDaniel, Ph.D., R.N., FAAN, College of Nursing dean and the Linda Harman Aiken Professor. “I am proud our faculty are being recognized for their commitment to a student-centered learning environment that supports rewarding educational processes and shared decision making, promotes open discussion, fosters inclusion and values diversity.”
Centers of Excellence designations are based on an organization’s outstanding innovations, commitment and sustainability of excellence, including the ability to demonstrate excellence in faculty development, nursing education research, or student learning and professional development, according to the National League for Nursing.
“National League for Nursing Centers of Excellence help raise the bar for all nursing programs by role modeling visionary leadership and environments of inclusive excellence that nurture the next generation of a strong and diverse nursing workforce to advance the health of the nation and the global community,” said Beverly Malone, Ph.D., R.N., FAAN, National League for Nursing president and CEO.
Ashley-Marie Bodor, B.S.N., graduated from the College of Nursing’s Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing program in 2014 and is currently a student in the college’s Doctor of Nursing Practice, or D.N.P., program. She said UF’s outstanding faculty members are what drew her to pursue a D.N.P. degree at the college.
“I knew from my experience in the accelerated nursing program that the caliber of faculty was pure excellence,” Bodor said. “They are all extremely invested in the success of their students. I could give dozens of examples of times faculty went above and beyond to ensure my personal success in the classroom, in clinicals and beyond. There is nowhere else I would want to pursue my graduate-level education.”
In addition to the Center of Excellence designation, the College of Nursing also has a historic number of clinical faculty who hold the Certified Nurse Educator, or C.N.E., credential. Nearly 50% of clinical faculty hold this esteemed certification through the National League for Nursing, which demonstrates faculty’s expertise in nursing education as a specialty area of practice.
“The National League for Nursing’s C.N.E. credential is considered a mark of distinction for nursing faculty,” McDaniel said. “I continue to be impressed that our nursing educators go the extra mile to ensure the highest standards are met.” The UF College of Nursing joins 23 nursing programs and health care organizations across the country being named Centers of Excellence through the National League for Nursing. The college was recognized in September at the league’s Education Summit in Washington, D.C.