Georgetown University School of Nursing (SON) was one of 13 U.S. nursing education programs that earned the designation as a 2024 National League for Nursing (NLN) Center of Excellence Aug. 14.
The NLN Center of Excellence in Nursing Education (COE) designation recognizes institutions that demonstrate exceptional innovation, commitment and sustained excellence, which they review when schools apply to be a COE. The NLN specifically honored the SON for its dedication to enhancing student learning and professional development.
Patricia Sharpnack, chair of the NLN, said that there are several rigorous qualifications needed for recognition as a COE, including academic progression in nursing and faculty and student learning development, noting that Georgetown, along with the other schools, distinguished itself as an exceptional academic institution.
“NLN Centers of Excellence reflect the extraordinary team and teamwork required to engage in the transformative work of nursing education — not just during one semester or even a single academic year but in a sustained way that demands genuine dedication and authentic commitment to producing consistent programmatic excellence,” Sharpnack said in a press release.
Intima Alrimawi, an associate professor in the SON, said the factors that she believed contributed to the SON’s receipt of this designation included the curriculum and school’s leadership.
“Our commitment in the School of Nursing to excellence in education would show up in the excellent curriculum that we have, the leaders in nursing education that we have as part of our faculty, the clinical partnership that we have with the community and the strong relationship that we have with our students,” Alrimawi told The Hoya.
According to Alrimawi, the SON integrates many innovative teaching practices to prepare students for the evolving demands of the healthcare field, including simulation-based learning, interprofessional education, telehealth and now artificial intelligence (AI) and community engagement. These practices aim to equip students to think beyond themselves, serve others and confidently operate outside their comfort zones.
Christopher Lin (SON ’28), a first-year student in the SON, said he is excited about the opportunities available at the SON and confident in the quality of his education.
“This recognition as a Center of Excellence gives me the confidence that my nursing education will be of the highest caliber and quality,” Lin told The Hoya. “I and prospective students can see that Georgetown Nursing really stands up to its commitments to excellence and professionalism in the field. There are so many opportunities through a well-respected program, and I’m excited to embrace them.”
Georgetown will officially earn recognition at the 2024 NLN Education Summit, an event that gathers nurse educators from around the world to explore emerging topics in nursing education and share innovative strategies for addressing everyday challenges, Sept. 20.
Alrimawi said she hopes that this recognition will encourage students to take advantage of the opportunities and exceptional education offered at the SON and that its initiative will impact communities on both a small and large scale.
“I think this does open doors for the student to learn about all the great things that the School of Nursing has, so they can benefit from it,” Alrimawi said. “We want to expand on our initiative for serving and engaging with the community, whether the local community in D.C., or the community in the U.S. or even the global community.”