Sutter Santa Rosa Regional Hospital is the first hospital in Northern California to achieve prestigious ANCC Pathway to Excellence Program® designation for safe, positive work environment.
By Jennifer Modenessi, Vitals contributor
As critical members of healthcare teams, nurses play one of the most active and direct roles in patient care. But demanding workloads, physical and emotional stress, and challenging clinical environments can take their toll and lead some nurses to burnout or to doubt their future in the profession.
Sutter Santa Rosa Regional Hospital
Recognizing the hurdles and hoping to empower these key frontline caregivers, Sutter Health is taking big steps to create positive and supportive work environments where nurses can thrive. Sutter Santa Rosa Regional Hospital is leading the charge as the first Sutter Health hospital to achieve the ANCC Pathway to Excellence Program® designation from the American Nurses Credentialing Center, which is part of the American Nurses Association. Only 229 hospitals across the country currently have a Pathway to Excellence Program designation. Sutter Santa Rosa Regional Hospital is the first hospital to achieve this designation in Northern California and is the third Pathway to Excellence hospital in the state.
“This designation reflects SSRRH’s commitment to embracing a culture where evidence-based practices are implemented, and nurses are valued and encouraged to use their voice in pursuit of clinical excellence and continuous improvements,” says Katrina (Kat) Holmes, Sutter Health’s interim chief nurse officer, and a registered nurse. “As we continue our Pathway to Excellence journey across Sutter, I’m incredibly proud of our nurses and nurse leaders who work in all care settings to provide high-quality, safe, equitable care to our patients and communities.”
Careers: Nursing and Advanced Practice Clinicians at Sutter Health
Multi-year Process
The achievement is the result of a rigorous multi-year process that includes establishing a nurse mentorship program, a well-being committee and other new programs to support nurses and foster positive practice environments. It affirms that Sutter Santa Rosa has a safe and supportive work environment that allows each of the hospital’s 629 nurses to reach their full potential as frontline healthcare givers.
Hospitals achieve the Pathway to Excellence designation by meeting six standards within the Pathway to Excellence Framework, including shared decision-making, leadership, safety, quality, well-being and professional development.
After an intense review process, applicants are required to have their nurses complete a survey validating that the Pathway standards are in place. To receive the designation, an organization needs at least 60% of eligible respondents to finish the survey; Sutter Santa Rosa achieved a 74% response rate affirming that the hospital has created a safe and positive work environment.
The robust response and resulting Pathway to Excellence designation caps a years-long process that was delayed at times by wildfires, flooding and the COVID-19 pandemic. The hospital began the Pathways Framework process in 2022 and submitted their 399-page application earlier this summer.
“Investment in the journey to achieve designation as an ANCC Pathway to Excellence hospital reflects our dedication to cultivate a healthy work environment,” says Megan Gillespie, Sutter Santa Rosa Regional Hospital’s chief executive officer, DNP and a registered nurse. “It also demonstrates allegiance to strengthen the professional practice environment that honors the expertise nurses bring to healthcare, and a commitment to collaborate to continually elevate the care we provide to our communities and each other.”
While Sutter Santa Rosa Regional Hospital has the distinction of being the first Sutter Health hospital to receive the designation, it likely won’t be the last. Pathway to Excellence Framework standards are currently being implemented at other Sutter Health hospitals including Alta Bates Summit Medical Center, Sutter Roseville Medical Center, Sutter Solano Medical Center and Mills-Peninsula Medical Center. The designation is valid for four years.
