Nursing Awards and Recognition

Pathway to Excellence®

In 2014, Saint Clare’s Health received the Pathway to Excellence® designation from the American Nurses Credentialing Center. The Pathway to Excellence program recognizes health care organizations for positive practice environments where nurses excel.

Pathway to Excellence® Vision Statement

Pathway to Excellence healthcare organizations will be known for creating work environments where nurses can flourish. They will be places identified as nursing practice settings where a collaborative atmosphere prevails with a positive impact on nurse job satisfaction and retention. They will be seen as best places to work because a balanced life-style is encouraged, where nurses feel their contributions are valued as patient care partners in health care to the community.

Pathway to Excellence® Practice Standards

Saint Clare’s Health has met the following 12 practice standards:

1. Nurses control the practice of nursing
2. The work environment is safe and healthy
3. Systems are in place to address patient care and practice concerns
4. Orientation prepares nurses for the work environment
5. The CNO is qualified and participates in all levels of the organization
6. Professional development is provided and used
7. Equitable compensation is provided
8. Nurses are recognized for achievements
9. A balanced lifestyle is encouraged
10. Collaborative interdisciplinary relationships are valued and supported
11. Nurse managers are competent and accountable
12. A quality program and evidence-based practices are used

DAISY Award

The DAISY Award is a nationwide program that rewards and celebrates the extraordinary clinical skill and compassionate care given by nurses everyday. Saint Clare’s Health is proud to be a DAISY Award hospital partner, recognizing our nurses with this special honor every month.

The DAISY Foundation was established in 2000 by the family of J. Patrick Barnes who died of complications of the auto-immune disease Idiopathic Thrombocytopenia Purpura (ITP) at the age of 33. DAISY is an acronym for diseases attacking the immune system. During Pat’s 8 week hospitalization, his family was awestruck by the care and compassion his nurses provided not only to Pat, but to everyone in his family. One of the goals they set in creating a Foundation in Pat’s memory, was to recognize extraordinary nurses everywhere who make an enormous difference in the lives of others by the super-human work they do every day.

Additionally, everyone in the unit will celebrate with Cinnabon’ cinnamon rolls – a favorite of Patrick’s during his illness. The Barnes Family asks that whenever and wherever nurses smell that wonderful cinnamon aroma, they stop for a moment and think about how special they are.

Patients and their families or hospital employees are encouraged to nominate a nurse that made an extraordinary impact on their lives.