By Pareasa Rahimi
The University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Nursing has received a renewed designation through 2029 as a National League for Nursing Center of Excellence for creating environments that enhance student learning and professional development. The School received its first designation in this area in 2017, which was last renewed in 2022. It is one of 21 nursing education programs across the country to be recognized in 2025.
“This redesignation reflects the areas where we’ve invested time and resources as part of our strategic priorities,” said Dean and Fay B. Ireland Endowed Chair Maria R. Shirey, PhD, MBA, RN, NEA-BC, ANEF, FACHE, FNAP, FAAN. “We’ve focused on fostering student engagement, encouraging professional involvement and supporting lifelong learning. By expanding access to career and wellness resources and connecting students with professional organizations, we’re helping them prepare for their future roles. At the same time, we’ve invested in faculty development to strengthen teaching and support across programs. These efforts have led to meaningful growth in both our students and faculty.”
The application for the redesignation was spearheaded by a task force led by University Professor and Senior Associate Dean for Academic Affairs Linda Moneyham, PhD, RN, FAAN, and included Associate and Assistant Deans, Department Chairs and more than 30 faculty from the various academic programs and missions.
“Our programs are designed to prepare graduates for high-quality, evidence-based practice through innovative approaches and a curriculum that supports active learning and engagement,” Moneyham said. “As nursing education shifts toward competency-based models, we’ve integrated tools such as gamification, redesigned courses and diagnostic reasoning resources to strengthen decision-making. Across the curriculum, students find opportunities to pursue their individual goals while building the skills needed for impact in practice.”
The School received a second designation as a National League for Nursing Center of Excellence in September 2024, distinguishing itself for the teaching expertise of faculty. The School also has received several other accolades over the past year, including the Bachelor of Science in Nursing program achieving a national ranking of No. 13 among all baccalaureate programs from U.S. News & World Report. This ranking recognizes the BSN program as No. 1 in Alabama and among the top 2 percent of all nursing programs nationwide. Additionally, the School’s Master of Science in Nursing program ranked No. 11 and the Doctor of Nursing Practice ranked No. 10 in the 2025 U.S. News & World Report “Best Graduate Schools” rankings. Four graduate specialties also are ranked in the top 10 across the nation. This also places the School’s graduate programs No. 1 in Alabama. In 2024, the School’s Blazer Simulation received accreditation through 2029 from the Society for Simulation in Healthcare in the areas of teaching and education.
The School was formally recognized for its NLN Center of Excellence designation at the 2025 NLN Education Summit in Orlando, Florida in September.