Pathway to Excellence

Pathway to Excellence is an organizational program developed by the American Nurses Association (ANA) and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) to recognize healthcare organizations that have committed to creating a positive practice environment for their nursing staff. Organizations that are designated as providing a Pathway to Excellence have incorporated six standards in their practice environments. These include: shared decision-making, leadership, safety, quality, well-being and professional development. The ANA says that when Pathway to Excellence standards are incorporated and fully adopted throughout an organization that these benefits will occur - organizations will: improve nurse satisfaction, retain choice nursing staff & leaders, cultivate interprofessional collaboration, champion high-quality nursing practice, and the standards will support business growth. The Pathway to Excellence designation lasts for 4 years.