Abstract
ABSTRACT: A center for nursing excellence provides a structure for organizing professional nursing within an organization. It gives nursing leadership a method of explaining, demonstrating, and showcasing nursing. A center for nursing excellence provides a method of interpreting the primary and multiple roles of nursing, including patient care delivery, education, research, leadership, and management. A center for nursing excellence can be used as a base for the development of practice models, education and development programs, nurse recruitment strategies and retention, and leadership and management programs.