IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENTS
The 2024 Pathway to Excellence & Pathway to Excellence in Long-Term Care Application Standards was released on October 10, 2023. Organizations applying or re-applying for either designation are required to write to the new elements of performance in the 2024 manual beginning with the February 1, 2025 cycle.
Please note: Public comment period occurred March 31-April 14, 2023 and is now closed.
Manual Clarifications
When going through the Pathway to Excellence® designation process it is important to note that there may have been changes to the version of the Pathway Application Manual you are working from. Changes may be made to the Pathway Application Manual at any time, and applicants are required to review and comply with the requirements in the Pathway Application Manual and all Pathway Application Manual updates. Application manual updates supersede the hardcopy manual requirements. The latest Pathway Application Manual updates can be found on the Pathway website under Apply and Required Forms and Resources or by clicking here.
By empowering nurses today, an organization can address the complex needs of modern health care, and firmly establish a strong position for tomorrow. If your organization is committed to a positive practice environment and investing in nurses, then begin your Pathway to Excellence® journey.
Step 1: Prior to registering to apply for Pathway designation, all interested organizations’ eligibility must be determined by the Pathway Program Office. Complete the Applicant Eligibility Details via OARS 2 (nursingworld.org)
Step 2: After eligibility is approved, the organization must then complete Pathway Applicant Registration (PAR) via https://pathway.nursingworld.org. All PAR must be received 8 -12 months prior to the intended Pathway Standards Document submission cycle date.
PAR includes:
(1) CNO or DON curriculum vitae
(2) Organizational chart(s) that reflects the CNO / DON relationship with the: (a) Executive Leadership; (b) nursing services and; (c) additional campus(es) as applicable.
(3) Operating license or other independent verification of licensed beds if applicable.
Remittance address:
ANCC Pathway
P.O. Box 505035
St. Louis, MO 63150-5035
The Pathway to Excellence® Document is an organization’s written response to the requirements of the application manual. It includes the Organizational Demographic Form (ODF), Organizational Overview (OO) documents, and Elements of Performance (EOP) Narratives showing how the standards are implemented. This is used as the primary appraisal method for applicant organizations.
Document submission dates:
For current fees, please visit Program Fees page.
If applicants are requesting a Pathway Standards Document extension, they may choose from the next two submission cycles – dependent on availability. However, applicants requesting to extend beyond two submission cycles must reapply.
Upload the Pathway Standards Document
All organizations must also submit a completed Organizational Demographic Form (ODF) as part of the Pathway Standards Document.
The ODF collects organizational data, and is used in conjunction with the other requested organizational information to provide reviewers with context for understanding the evidence submitted by applicants.
In addition, organizations that achieve Pathway to Excellence designation are required to submit an updated ODF during their mid-cycle year as part of their interim monitoring requirements. Please see Interim Monitoring Requirements for more information.
If your organization is committed to a positive practice environment and investing in nurses, then begin your Pathway to Excellence journey
Organizations that successfully pass the Pathway Standards Document review phase will be notified by the Pathway Program Office to advance to the nurse survey phase.
Learn more about the Pathway nurse survey.
To achieve the Pathway to Excellence or Pathway to Excellence in Long Term Care designation:
The Commission on Pathway to Excellence makes the final determination regarding designation.
Please Note: When an organization’s designation expires and if the organization fails to designate, the next time that organization applies will be considered a Re-application.
Email: pathwayinfo@ana.org
Phone: 1.800.284.2378
Hospitals participating in the Leapfrog Hospital Survey that indicate a current Pathway to Excellence designation as determined by ANCC under the 2020 Pathway to Excellence Application Manual, will earn full credit for the National Quality Forum-endorsed Safe Practice #9 - Nursing Workforce. Questions? Email pathwayinfo@ana.org
