The University of Delaware’s School of Nursing (SON) in the College of Health Sciences has been recognized as a 2022 Center of Excellence in Nursing Education by the National League of Nursing (NLN).

Just 16 higher education programs, teaching hospitals, and clinical sites across the nation received the prestigious honor announced by the NLN last week. Awardees must demonstrate concrete and measurable evidence of sustained excellence in faculty development, nursing education research, student learning and professional development, and academic progression in nursing.

UD, as the only higher education institution in the Northeast to be named a Center of Excellence (COE) in Nursing Education, was recognized for sustained excellence in creating environments that enhance student learning and professional development.

“The NLN has a long and sustained history in advancing the quality of nursing education. The organization was founded in 1893 as the American Society of Superintendents of Training Schools for Nurses and later renamed the National League of Nursing, becoming the first nurses association in the United States,” said Elizabeth Speakman, senior associate dean of the School of Nursing. “UD’s School of Nursing is so proud to be honored by this extraordinary organization and to be acknowledged for providing excellence in student learning. Being named a Center of Excellence is a testament to all the hard work our faculty and staff do daily to ensure our students are excellent healthcare providers to the patients, families, and communities they serve,” said Speakman, senior associate dean for the School of Nursing.

Simulation and healthcare theatre play a major part in educating the next generation of nurses at UD.

“We are proud of the UD SON staff and faculty for the continued commitment to student learning and professional development. This achievement shows the dedication to not only the state of Delaware, but the profession of nursing by exemplifying academic excellence,” said, Jennifer Graber, associate dean of academic affairs and practice initiatives. “We remain on the cutting edge of evidence-based practice and pedagogy through our graduate and undergraduate programs as well as our community outreach and clinical practice.”

The latest honor is one of several received by UD SON. In 2021, UD’s undergraduate nursing program was ranked 76 in U.S. News & World Report. Earlier this year, the School of Nursing’s Center for Simulation Innovation, Interdisciplinary Education, and Entrepreneurship achieved full accreditation in Teaching/Education from the Society for Simulation in Healthcare (SSH). 

NLN Chair Kathleen Poindexter extended congratulations to UD SON and all the winners.

“It is no secret that it takes a village of scholars and visionary leaders to collaborate to co-create and sustain educational excellence. The individuals—faculty, deans and administrators—deserve our deepest gratitude,” Poindexter said. “NLN Centers of Excellence faculty and leadership have proven ready to share their expertise, best practices, and insights with the entire nursing education community to enable more programs to qualify for the prestigious COE designation.”

NLN President and CEO Beverly Malone said NLN Centers of Excellence, like UD SON, 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,” Malone said.

UD SON will be formally recognized at the 2022 NLN Education Summit at the Honors Convocation in Las Vegas, Nevada, on September 30.