Eligibility & How to Apply

1. Pre-Application Process
Conducting a self-assessment is a good first step to determine whether your organization meets the requirements for Pathway to Excellence or Pathway to Excellence in Long Term Care designation. The process enables your organization to compare itself against the program's compulsory elements to measure your current state. The following resources are available to assist in the decision process:

Applying for Pathway to Excellence or Pathway to Excellence in Long Term Care designation is a significant commitment that requires three key elements:

High-level oversight.
Realistic timeline.
Realistic budget.

2. Electronic Application
Organizations are required to submit their electronic application to the Pathway Program Office no later than 4 months prior to the submission date requested.

A completed Pathway application includes:

Submit online application
Email the CNO or DON CV and Organizational Chart to PathwayInfo@ana.org
Mail the $1500.00 application fee to:

ANCC Pathway
P.O. Box 505012
St. Louis, MO 63150-5012

3. Submit Documents
Documents submission dates are as follows:

February 1
April 1
June 1
August 1
October 1

To see the current fees, check the Program Fees page.

Document submission includes:

One hard copy to the Pathway Program Office
One CD version of complete documents to the Pathway Program Office
One hard copy to each of the 3 reviewers

4. Organizational Demographic Form (ODF)
All organization's that submit documents for the Pathway program must also submit an ODF. Organizations must complete the applicable ODF (Pathway to Excellence or Pathway to Excellence in Long Term Care).

ODFs are due to the Pathway Program Office on the last day of the submission month for applicants submitting documents prior to June 1, 2012. For applicants submitting documents June 1, 2012 and thereafter, ODFs are due to the Pathway Program Office at the time of document submission. The ODF should be emailed to PathwayInfo@ana.org by the due date.

5. Survey
Organizations that move to survey will be contacted by the Pathway Program Office with additional information and instructions on completing the confidential online survey. Learn more about the Pathway Nurse Survey

6. Designation Requirements
To achieve the Pathway to Excellence or Pathway to Excellence in Long Term Care designation: