A Journey of Excellence: An Administrator's Perspective on the Elements of Achieving Successful Outcomes

Recently, the Department of Nursing at the University of South Dakota was recognized by the National League for Nursing as one of three Centers of Excellence nationally, and the program was selected for study by the Carnegie Foundation. This associate's degree educational program has achieved an elevated degree of excellence because it adopted a number of elements that are associated with success in the leadership and organizational literature: (a) strong and sustained positive leadership, (b) passionate and involved people and partners, (c) a far-reaching but realistic vision, (d) open and exhaustive communication, (e) focus and relevance, and (f) effective execution. This article examines those characteristics of success and presents examples from the nursing education program at the University of South Dakota.