Baptist Health Hardin achieves second consecutive Pathway to Excellence® designation
The Pathway to Excellence designation is a prestigious recognition that is reserved for organizations that demonstrate an unwavering commitment to creating a culture of empowerment and engagement.
ELIZABETHTOWN, KY (Dec. 29, 2022) – Baptist Health Hardin has achieved the Pathway to Excellence® designation for its commitment to a positive practice environment and a culture of sustained excellence. This is the hospital’s second consecutive Pathway designation.
The Pathway to Excellence designation is a prestigious recognition that is reserved for organizations that demonstrate an unwavering commitment to creating a culture of empowerment and engagement. There are only 199 organizations worldwide that have achieved the designation from the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC).
“Achieving the Pathway designation – not once, but twice in a row – is a monumental accomplishment for our team,” said Vice President and Chief Nursing Officer Sharon Wright, MSN, RN, NE-BC. “Applying for the designation is a lengthy and arduous process. Over the last three years, our nursing staff has generated an extensive body of written documents detailing exactly how we care for our patients, and how we empower our nurses to be their best every day. The documentation tells the true story of what really goes on, with our nurses living out their core values and dedication to our patients with every interaction.”
After document submission is complete, nursing staff are invited to complete an online survey consisting of 28 nursing-specific questions. Specific performance criteria are required to be considered for Pathway designation. Baptist Health Hardin exceeded every requirement of the survey portion of the application process.
The Pathway designation is a global credential that highlights Baptist Health Hardin’s commitment to creating a healthy work environment where nurses feel empowered and valued. Baptist Health Hardin’s nurses are an integral part of the healthcare team, with a voice in policy and practice. Pathway nurses are engaged, resulting in higher job satisfaction, reduced turnover, improved safety, and better patient outcomes.
Wright, who will retire from her position on December 31 after a 35-year career at the hospital, hopes that the Pathway designation will help bring in more nurses in a time when nurses are in high demand. “Not only does the Pathway designation tell our patients and our community about the kind of care they can expect at Baptist Health Hardin, but it also tells new graduates and those considering a nursing career that Baptist Health Hardin is a premier place to work.”
As a Pathway organization, Baptist Health Hardin leads the effort to enhance quality of care, patient and nursing safety, and the future of healthcare delivery.
“I could not be more proud to join the Baptist Health Hardin team,” said new Baptist Health Hardin President Robert Ramey. “This designation is a reflection of our commitment to deliver excellence in patient care. Our team truly lives out our core values each day, which results in a culture of engagement, positivity and teamwork. On behalf of the leadership team, congratulations to Sharon Wright, the nursing team, and all the staff who have made this repeat designation a reality.”
As a Pathway organization, Baptist Health Hardin leads the effort to enhance quality of care, patient and nursing safety, and the future of healthcare delivery.
For more information on the Pathway to Excellence recognition program, visit ANCC’s website at https://www.nursingworld.org/pathway
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About Baptist Health Hardin
Baptist Health Hardin serves approximately 400,000 residents in 10 central Kentucky counties — Hardin, LaRue, Meade, Breckinridge, Grayson, Nelson, Hart, Bullitt, Green and Taylor. The Elizabethtown hospital operates 300 acute care beds. Additionally, Baptist Health Hardin includes more than 60 outpatient facilities across the service area, including a Cancer Care Center, Outpatient Surgical Center, and three Urgent Care locations. The hospital’s network includes nearly 500 physicians and advanced practice clinicians representing more than 40 specialties plus primary care, including hospitalists and OB hospitalists available 24/7; emergency care; cancer care; heart care; ear, nose and throat care; orthopedics; neurosurgery; plastic and reconstructive surgery; pulmonology; rehabilitation and therapy; urology and vascular services; medical and surgical services; diagnostic imaging; pediatrics; and obstetrics, which includes a Level II Neonatal Intensive Care unit. Baptist Health Hardin has also been awarded the Pathway to Excellence® designation for excellence in nursing services by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). With more than 2,900 employees and an active volunteer corps of 130, Baptist Health Hardin is the third largest employer in Hardin County.