Piedmont Atlanta Hospital has earned the prestigious Pathway to Excellence designation from the American Nursing Credentialing Center (ANCC), which recognizes healthcare facilities that have created positive work environments where nurses can flourish. Piedmont Healthcare is leading the way in Georgia for hospitals receiving this distinction – Piedmont Fayette was the first hospital in the state to receive this distinction, and Piedmont Atlanta is the second.
 
“This designation is a celebration of the culture all of our nurses have worked hard to create here at Piedmont Atlanta,” said Kelly Hulsey, MSN, RN, Piedmont Atlanta’s Chief Nursing Officer. “It also demonstrates that as an organization, Piedmont empowers and supports our nurses.”
 
For its Pathway to Excellence designation, ANCC focuses on six standards: Shared Decision Making, Leadership, Safety, Quality, Well-Being, and Professional Development.
 
The application process is rigorous. Piedmont Atlanta nurses started the application two years ago, ultimately creating a document that more than 70 nurses helped write. Once the application was approved, nurses at Piedmont Atlanta were asked to verify what was written in the application through an online survey. More than 1,200 nurses responded.
 
“Pathway to Excellence truly has been a journey – and it’s one that will continue,” said Hulsey. “We will continue to demonstrate our excellence every day, each of us striving to make a positive difference in every life we touch.”