Creighton College of Nursing honored as 2025 NLN Center of Excellence
Exceptional nursing education begins with exceptional faculty. That’s why, at Creighton, educators are more than subject-matter experts. They are experienced professionals who mentor students, bring Jesuit values to life and connect classroom learning with real-world practice. That dedication has now been recognized on a national stage.
In September the College of Nursing was formally honored as a 2025 National League for Nursing (NLN) Center of Excellence in Nursing Education at the NLN Education Summit in Orlando, Florida. Creighton received the designation in the category ‘promotes the pedagogical expertise of faculty’, becoming the first nursing school in Nebraska to earn this distinction.
“This recognition affirms our commitment to innovation, leadership and continuous improvement in nursing education,” said Jessica Clark, DNP, RN, dean of the College of Nursing. “It is both a recognition of our past achievements and a call to lead the future of the profession with integrity, rigor and compassion.”
College of Nursing faculty and leaders at 2025 NLN Summit and Convocation Ceremony: Lucas Manning, DNP, RN, Willie Carpenter, MSN, RN, Jessica Clark, DNP, RN, Melissa Taylor, MS, RN, Mandy Kirkpatrick, PhD, RN
Faculty Mentorship
Creighton nursing faculty treat teaching as a relationship. They invest deeply in mentoring students, supporting them academically and personally and guiding them as they discern their future in healthcare. Faculty are clinical practitioners and researchers who bring real-world expertise into the classroom, helping students connect theory with practice and grow as whole people.
Ignatian Education
The NLN designation reflects Creighton’s Ignatian tradition of education. Faculty teach in ways that emphasize reflection and action, preparing nurses who are not only clinically skilled but also ethically grounded. In classrooms, simulation labs and clinical rotations, students are encouraged to think critically, reflect deeply and integrate values into every decision.
Research and Scholarship
Faculty and students collaborate on research that improves healthcare outcomes and advances nursing education. From exploring patient safety to developing innovative teaching strategies, scholarship is central to the Creighton experience. This commitment to discovery enriches student learning and strengthens the profession.
Shaping Practice-Ready Nurses
The NLN Center of Excellence designation affirms the outcomes of this distinctive approach. Creighton’s Bachelor of Science in Nursing program includes more than 900 clinical hours — 30% more than many peer institutions — and every student is guaranteed a clinical placement. Students also achieve strong outcomes on licensure exams, with an average NCLEX pass rate of 93% from 2020–2024.
The College of Nursing is also recognized among the top 6% of nursing programs nationally by U.S. News & World Report, a further testament to the quality and impact of the college’s academic programs. With a 100% employment or continuing education rate for BSN graduates within six months of graduation, Creighton nurses are practice-ready leaders.
For Clark, the recognition is both joyful and humbling. “This award shines a light on our extraordinary faculty and staff who care deeply, not just about content, but about character, resilience and the professional identity of every student who walks through our doors,” she said.
Looking ahead, the designation challenges us to remain restless in pursuit of excellence. “The world needs nurses,” Clark added, “but it needs more Creighton nurses.”
With more than 9,000 alumni across the nation and a tradition of forming compassionate leaders, Creighton College of Nursing will continue to advance nursing education by preparing professionals who transform healthcare with skill and heart.
