Last July 27, 2011, the National League for Nursing (NLN) announced that eight schools of nursing, representing programs across the academic spectrum, have been chosen NLN Centers of Excellence. These nursing schools will be formally recognized at a special presentation on Friday, September 23 at 9:00 am at the NLN’s annual Education Summit in Orlando, FL.

The University of Connecticut School of Nursing is one of the eight schools receiving the “Center of Excellence” honor this year.

“The Center of Excellence designation is a tremendous honor,” says Anne R. Bavier, dean of the UConn nursing school. “This designation supports our firm belief that the University of Connecticut School of Nursing is one of the best nursing programs in the country. It is a highly competitive designation that recognizes the exceptional efforts that faculty in all our school’s programs make to be excellent teachers. They set the highest standards for themselves and presented a compelling case full of illustrations and data to show their success.”

According to NLN CEO Beverly Malone, PhD, RN, FAAN, “Schools work hard to earn the coveted COE designation. What we seek are measurable results and best practices, and the NLN is pleased to publicly name those schools that have demonstrated their understanding of excellence in the concrete terms that the COE application demands. Schools may earn COE status 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 honor remains with the school for four years at which time the schools are invited to apply again.

As of now, UConn School of Nursing is the largest producer of nursing graduates in the Connecticut. More than 80 percent of nursing school graduates remain and practice in Connecticut through their careers. The school’s accomplished researchers are advancing science and practice in such areas as pain management for the elderly and neonates, cardiac care, and post-partum depression.

The seven other nursing schools receiving Centers of Excellence honors this year are: Excelsior College, University of North Carolina-Greensboro, Duquesne University, East Carolina University, Regis College, Trinitas School of Nursing and Collin College.