American Nurses A Qualitative Analysis - 3139 Words

American Nurses Credentialing Center Pathway to Excellence ® Post-designation Questionnaire 2012 to 2014: A Qualitative Analysis John Hagan University of Maryland School of Nursing American Nurses Credentialing Center Pathway to Excellence ® Post-designation Questionnaire 2012 to 2014: A Qualitative Analysis Abstract This summative report is the result of content analysis of post-designation questionnaires of organizations participating in the American Nurses Certification Center’s (ANCC) Pathway to Excellence ® program. The intention is to describe major themes found within the responses. The questionnaire included eight open-ended questions related to the Pathway to Excellence ® experience from an organizational and nursing†¦show more content†¦All Rights Reserved.) There are currently 129 health care organizations in the United States, Australia and Singapore that have completed designation from the Pathway to Excellence ® (American Nurses Credentialing Center, 2014). A questionnaire is performed after designation to allow the health care organization an opportunity to convey perceived benefits, barriers, and lasting imprints from participating in the Pathway to Excellence ® Program. The Pathway to Excellence ® Program touts 12 practice standards or core concepts that are nursing centered including the ability of nurses to control the practice of nursing and recognition of nursing for achievement (see Appendix A) (American Nurses Credentialing Center, 2014). These standards have shown evidence of overall nursing satisfaction, which is a key influencer in nursing satisfaction and retention. Pella Regional Health Center provides a post-designation exemplar of participation in the Pathway to Excellence ® Program. Key outcomes included that 99% of nurses felt a key part of quality improvement strategies, 96% felt they were a key part of changes to patient care standards, and 98% felt nurses were involved in professional development strategies (Drafahl, Beyer, Chow, 2012). The designation confirms a supportive nursing environment with a practice based on standards