UF Nursing redesignated Center of Excellence for teaching

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — The University of Florida College of Nursing has been redesignated a Center of Excellence by the National League for Nursing in recognition of its role as a national leader in nursing education and teaching.

The College of Nursing received its first five-year designation in 2021. Redesignation demonstrates the college’s sustained efforts in cultivating and retaining an outstanding faculty.

“This prestigious redesignation as a National League for Nursing Center of Excellence is a powerful affirmation of the extraordinary faculty at the University of Florida College of Nursing — educators, clinicians and scientists who are unwavering in their pursuit of academic excellence,” said Shakira Henderson, Ph.D., D.N.P., M.S., M.P.H., M.B.A., dean of the College of Nursing and system chief nurse executive for UF Health. “We are not just preparing nurses — we are shaping courageous, future-ready leaders equipped to transform health care.”

Centers of Excellence designations are based on an organization’s innovations, commitment and sustainability of excellence, including the ability to demonstrate excellence in faculty development, nursing education research, or student learning and professional development, according to the National League for Nursing.

“We have all heard, ‘It takes a village.’ Nowhere is that truer than in the shared vision and values, mutual support, respect and inclusivity among faculty, leadership and students that must come together for an extraordinary nursing program to be nationally recognized for their innovation and commitment in becoming an NLN Center of Excellence,” said Beverly Malone, National League for Nursing president and CEO.

Student and faculty outcomes reinforce the College of Nursing’s recognition for teaching excellence. The most recent pass rate on the NCLEX-RN, the standardized test nurses must pass to become licensed, for UF Bachelor of Science in Nursing graduates was 98%, surpassing the state average of 85%. UF Doctor of Nursing Practice graduates achieved a 100% pass rate on their nurse practitioner certification exams.

Among the college’s clinical faculty, nearly 25% hold the Certified Nurse Educator, or C.N.E., credential through the National League for Nursing.

The UF College of Nursing joins 20 nursing programs and health care organizations across the country named Centers of Excellence this year. The college will be recognized in September at the league’s Education Summit in Orlando.