Rapides Regional Medical Center earns Pathway to Excellence redesignation

Rapides Regional Medical Center has achieved redesignation as a Pathway to Excellence® facility by the American Nurses Credentialing Center.

The Pathway to Excellence program recognizes a health care organization’s commitment to creating a positive practice environment that empowers and engages staff. The designation substantiates nursing job satisfaction at RRMC and identifies it as one of the best places to work by safeguarding the well-being of its nurses.

Rapides Regional Medical Center is the only Pathway to Excellence facility in Louisiana. It first achieved Pathway to Excellence designation in 2018.

“We are honored to be recognized by the American Nurses Credentialing Center for a second a time,” said Katlin Bolton, MBA-HM, BSN, RN, Chief Nursing Officer at Rapides Regional Medical Center. “This honor shows our commitment to creating, supporting and maintaining an environment for our nursing colleagues in which they can thrive professionally.

“We are proud of the dedication and hard work of our outstanding nurses and their commitment to living our mission of providing high quality and compassionate patient care.”

Pathway to Excellence consists of six standards essential to developing a positive working environment for nursing:

• Shared decision making
• Leadership
• Safety
• Quality
• Workplace culture provides staff with support and resources to promote physical and mental health
• Professional development.

By investing in the optimum workplace for nurses, organizations demonstrate a culture of sustained excellence, resulting in the successful recruitment of top candidates and staff retention through high job satisfaction.

For an organization to earn the Pathway to Excellence distinction, it must successfully undergo a thorough review process that documents foundational quality initiatives in creating a positive work environment — as defined by nurses and supported by research. These initiatives must be integrated in the facility’s practices, policies and culture. Nurses in an organization validate the presence of the criteria in the organization through a voluntary and confidential online survey.

As a Pathway to Excellence designated organization, RRMC is committed to creating an environment where nurses excel and feel valued as integral members of interprofessional health care teams. This designation confirms to the public that RRMC nurses know their efforts are supported. The honor encourages other nurses to join their colleagues in this desirable and nurturing environment.