Intersection of Quality and Excellence: Characteristics of Redesignated National League for Nursing Centers of Excellence.

The purpose of this research was to identify characteristics of redesignated National League for Nursing Centers of Excellence in Nursing Education that represent the intersection between quality and excellence. A qualitative content analysis of six final applications submitted for redesignation disclosed essential resources that supported students, faculty, and staff and identified six characteristics: connections through relationships, communities of learning and service, support for students and faculty, connections through technology, use of innovation, and a systems focus. The systematic focus on excellence in teaching and learning identified in this research represents best practices from exemplary schools worthy of emulation by other nursing education programs.