The release of the 2020 Pathway to Excellence & Pathway to Excellence in Long-Term Care Application Manual is scheduled for February 2020. This is a revision of both the 2016 Pathway to Excellence and 2017 Pathway to Excellence in Long-Term Care Application manuals. The requirements for both designations will be included in this one manual. There will be some new concepts, however, much of the 2020 manual will remain similar to the current versions. Organizations applying or re-applying for either designation are required to write to the new elements of performance in the 2020 manual beginning with the February 1, 2021 cycle.
By empowering nurses today, an organization can address the complex needs of modern health care, and firmly establish a strong position for tomorrow. If your organization is committed to a positive practice environment and investing in nurses, then begin your Pathway to Excellence® journey.
Documents housed in the Orientation Center have been migrated to the Pathway Learning Community under Resource Center.
Effective June 1, 2018, all application materials must be received via the Pathway portal www.pteapplication.org at least 8 months before the requested date of the Pathway Standards document submission.
A completed Pathway application includes:
Application will be processed when payment is received. Application fee must be paid by check or credit card in the Pathway portal.
Remittance address:
ANCC Pathway
P.O. Box 505035
St. Louis, MO 63150-5035
The Pathway to Excellence® Document is an organization’s written response to the requirements of the application manual. It includes the Organizational Demographic Form (ODF), Organizational Overview (OO) documents, and Elements of Performance (EOP) Narratives showing how the standards are implemented. This is used as the primary appraisal method for applicant organizations.
Document submission dates:
For current fees, please visit Program Fees page.
If applicants are requesting a Pathway Standards Document extension, they may choose from the next two submission cycles – dependent on availability. However, applicants requesting to extend beyond two submission cycles must reapply.
Upload the Pathway Standards Document
All organizations must also submit a completed Organizational Demographic Form (ODF) as part of the Pathway Standards Document.
The ODF collects organizational data, and is used in conjunction with the other requested organizational information to provide reviewers with context for understanding the evidence submitted by applicants.
In addition, organizations that achieve Pathway to Excellence designation are required to submit an updated ODF during their mid-cycle year as part of their interim monitoring requirements. Please see Interim Monitoring Requirements for more information.
If your organization is committed to a positive practice environment and investing in nurses, then begin your Pathway to Excellence journey
Organizations that successfully pass the Pathway Standards Document review phase will be notified by the Pathway Program Office to advance to the nurse survey phase.
Learn more about the Pathway nurse survey.
To achieve the Pathway to Excellence or Pathway to Excellence in Long Term Care designation:
The Commission on Pathway to Excellence makes the final determination regarding designation.
Please Note: When an organization’s designation expires and if the organization fails to designate, the next time that organization applies will be considered an initial application.
Email: pathwayinfo@ana.org
Phone: 1.800.284.2378
The American Nurses Foundation is a separate charitable organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. The Foundation does not engage in political campaign activities or communications.
The Foundation expressly disclaims any political views or communications published on or accessible from this website.
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