Nursing Earns Elite Center of Excellence Designation for Second Time

For the second time, the School of Nursing has earned the coveted designation as a Center of Excellence from the National League for Nursing (NLN). The NLN, the foremost organization for nurse educators and institutions of higher learning, only bestows the Center of Excellence status to a handful of nursing schools.

The School of Nursing is one of only eight schools across the nation, and the only nursing school in Pennsylvania, to earn the designation of an NLN Center of Excellence.

Since 2004, the NLN has invited nursing schools each year to apply for three-year Center of Excellence status, based on their ability to demonstrate sustained excellence in faculty development, nursing education, research or student learning and professional development.

The School of Nursing first became a Center of Excellence in 2008 for a three-year term. The reprise of the designation at Duquesne, according to Dean Eileen Zungolo, underscores the commitment of the nursing faculty and staff to implement and measure the effect of educational best practices.

“The nursing faculty has shown sustained dedication to academic and professional excellence, the proof of which is evident in the quality of our students and alumni,” Zungolo said. “To prepare our students to excel as nurses—and to be recognized twice in this way by the NLN—requires the highest levels of performance as individual educators and as a team, so I couldn’t be more proud.”

This year, the NLN extended the Center of Excellence term from three to four years and awarded the credential to each school in one of three categories: Enhancing Student Learning and Professional Development; Promoting the Pedagogical Expertise of Faculty; or Enhancing the Science of Nursing Education. The nursing school earned Center of Excellence status in Enhancing Student Learning and Professional Development.

“The Center of Excellence banner carries with it a responsibility to the entire academic community,” said Cathleen Shultz, NLN president. “We expect that Center of Excellence schools will help educate and inspire others, thus elevating the standards of excellence throughout all levels of higher education in nursing.”