IN RECOGNITION
of its nurse-friendly
work environment, Beaufort Memorial
Hospital has been awarded the coveted
Pathway to Excellence designation by the
American Nurses Credentialing Center
(ANCC)—the largest and most respected
nurse credentialing organization in the
world.
Te only hospital in South Carolina to
have achieved this distinction, BMH suc-
cessfully completed an extensive review
process, documenting that it follows the
prescribed practices and policies that cre-
ate an ideal workplace for nurses.
“It’s a very big deal,” says Ellarene Duis-
Sanders, chair of the ANCC’s Commission
on Pathway to Excellence. “Hospitals that
meet the criteria have better patient satis-
faction and patient outcomes.”
As part of the application process,
Beaufort Memorial’s nurses were asked to
respond to a confdential, online sur-
vey verifying that the hospital has met
the 12 Pathway to Excellence standards
proven to create an ideal nursing practice
environment.
BMH received an overall positive rat-
ing score of 90 percent. A positive rating
of 75 percent or better is necessary to
be awarded the Pathway to Excellence
designation.
“Te designation means we work in an
environment where nurses are valued for
their contributions,” says Karen Carroll,
Beaufort Memorial’s chief nursing ofcer
and vice president of patient care services.
“If you’re happy and satisfed, it will carry
over to patient care.”
Established in 2007, the national
program was developed to boost nurse
recruitment and retention by improving
the workplace for nurses. To date, only
69 hospitals in the country have earned
the designation.
“People who work in South Carolina
hospitals strive daily to create a positive
work environment as they deliver safe,
high-quality care to their patients,” says
South Carolina Hospital Association
President and CEO Tornton Kirby. “It
is wonderful to see Beaufort Memorial’s
eforts and commitment honored with the
prestigious Pathway to Excellence award.”
You can learn more about Beaufort
Memorial Hospital at
www.bmhsc.org
. For
information on job opportunities, click on
the “Careers at BMH” tab.
About the ANCC
Te ANCC, a subsidiary of the American
Nurses Association (ANA), provides in-
dividuals and organizations throughout
the nursing profession with the resources
they need to achieve practice excellence.
ANCC’s internationally renowned creden-
tialing programs certify nurses in spe-
cialty practice areas; recognize healthcare
organizations for promoting safe, positive
work environments through the Pathway to
Excellence Program; and accredit providers
of continuing nursing education. In addi-
tion, ANCC provides leading-edge informa-
tion and education services and products to
support its core credentialing programs.
Happy nurses,
happy hospital
HOSPITAL NEWS
Learn more at
www.bmhsc.org.
To see our job
opportunities
in nursing at
BMH, go to
the “Careers at
BMH” tab.
BMH is the frst in South Carolina to
earn a Pathway to Excellence designation
28
Health Scene • www.bmhsc.org
Ashley Hildreth, RN,
Palmetto Gold Winner