IU School of Nursing Has Been Re-designated a National League for Nursing (NLN) Center of Excellence in Nursing Education

Congratulations to the IU School of Nursing (IUSON). The school (campuses at Indianapolis, Bloomington and Columbus) has been re-designated a National League for Nursing (NLN) Center of Excellence (COE) effective September, 2009. IUSON was one of five schools of nursing to be so honored at the annual NLN annual education summit in Philadelphia, PA. (http://www.nln.org/newsreleases).

According to the official NLN news release, 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. IUSON received the designation in the category of “Creating Environments that Promote the Pedagogical Expertise of Faculty,” which is effective for three years (2009-2012).

“The standard of excellence in nursing education that IUSON is known for has been carefully nurtured and supported over the course of many years by faculty, staff and administrators who have been committed to creating an environment that is learner-centered,” said Judith A. Halstead, DNS, RN, ANEF, Executive Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, and president-elect of the NLN Board of Directors, who took the lead on the application process. “To be re-designated as a Center of Excellence by the National League for Nursing for creating environments that promote the pedagogical expertise of faculty, provides a much deserved national recognition for the efforts of our faculty and staff, who continue to develop their reputation for pursuing teaching excellence and evaluating innovative teaching strategies. We have a highly productive faculty and staff who create learning environments that maximize student success and we are proud to be honored by this designation.”

When Andrea Maners, RN, BSN-PhD student was asked what this designation means to her she said, “The faculty and staff at the IU School of Nursing have always impressed me with their dedication to improvement. They are invested in making the school the best it can be and giving students a positive learning experience. The re-designation as an NLN Center of Excellence is well deserved, and I am excited to be a part of this tradition.
IUSON’s reputation of excellence impressed me during my undergraduate years and brought me back for my PhD.”

“This designation is a tremendous and significant honor for our school, campus, and the university, as a whole. Dr. Halstead and her colleagues are to be commended for putting together an outstanding application that led to our school receiving this re-designation of excellence in nursing education,” said Marion E. Broome, PhD, RN, FAAN, dean and distinguished professor of the IU School of Nursing. “In addition, as one of the few large, public schools of nursing to receive such distinction, it is rewarding to know that our students, such as Andrea Maners, have found our school to have an environment conducive to learning. After all, that’s what we are all about—educating and preparing nurses for the 21st century.”

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Dedicated to excellence in nursing education, the National League for Nursing is the preferred membership organization for nurse faculty and leaders in nursing education. NLN members include nurse educators, education agencies, health care agencies, and interested members of the public. The NLN offers faculty development programs, networking opportunities, testing and assessment, nursing research grants, and public policy initiatives to its 28,000 individual and 1,200 institutional members.

To learn more about the IU School of Nursing, visit http://nursing.iupui.edu/.