Overview of Achievements | 2022 Nursing Annual Report | Nicklaus Children's Health System

2023-24 Nicklaus Children’s Hospital Nursing Highlights

Nicklaus Children’s Hospital Achieves Fifth Consecutive Magnet Recognition

In March 2024, Nicklaus Children’s Hospital once again attained Magnet recognition by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Magnet Recognition Program® for the fifth consecutive term. Nicklaus Children’s is one of only five children’s hospitals in the nation to have received a fifth Magnet designation and joins the ranks of the only 1 percent of hospitals nationwide who have attained this fifth-term Magnet milestone. Only 9.7 percent of hospitals in the United States currently hold Magnet recognition status, and only 1 percent of those are pediatric hospitals.

The Magnet recognition program distinguishes healthcare organizations that meet rigorous standards for nursing excellence and is the highest and most regarded honor an organization can receive for professional nursing practice. Nicklaus Children’s was the first pediatric hospital in Florida and the fifth pediatric hospital in the nation to achieve ANCC Magnet designation in 2004.

Horizon Nurse Residency Receives Prestigious Accreditation

In December 2024, Nicklaus Children’s Horizon Nurse Residency Program received Accreditation with Distinction through the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s (ANCC) Practice Transition Accreditation Program (PTAP). This prestigious recognition is the highest level of accreditation awarded by the ANCC and is a testament to the quality and commitment of the program. This milestone marks the third reaccreditation for the Program, which was originally accredited with distinction in 2017 and re-accredited with distinction in 2020.

ANCC’s accreditation process certifies and recognizes healthcare organizations that promote nursing excellence, quality patient outcomes as well as safe and positive work environments. The ANCC Practice Transition Accreditation Program (PTAP) sets the global standard for residency and fellowship programs that support the transition of registered nurses into the practice setting.

“Receiving one of the highest recognitions by ANCC for our Horizon Nurse Residency Program is a testament to our program leadership team’s expertise and dedication to ensuring our program remains a model of success,” said Shannon Odell, Vice President and Chief Nursing Officer at Nicklaus Children’s Hospital. “We are proud to have been accredited since very early in the history of accreditation in 2017, demonstrating our continued ability to evolve and respond to the changes in the healthcare environment.”

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Nicklaus Children’s Hospital Ranked Among Best Children’s Hospitals by U.S. News & World Report

Nicklaus Children’s Hospital was once again recognized among the nation’s top pediatric hospitals in the 2023-2024 and 2024-2025 U.S. News & World Report “Best Children’s Hospitals” rankings. Both years, five hospital specialty programs were ranked among the nation’s top 50 for their respective areas: cardiology and heart surgery, neurology and neurosurgery, neonatology, orthopedics, and pulmonology.

“It is an absolute honor to see Nicklaus Children’s Hospital ranked once again among the best in the nation on the U.S. News & World Report Best Children’s Hospital results,” said Matthew A. Love, President and CEO of Nicklaus Children’s Health System. “The five specialty programs included in the rankings are examples of the expert quality care we offer our patients and their families. Providing this level of service and personalized care is what makes us the hospital where your child matters most ™.”

Nicklaus Children’s Health System Is an America’s “Most Loved Workplace’

Nicklaus Children’s Health System was ranked in Newsweek magazine’s annual list of America’s Top Most Loved Workplaces^® in both 2023 and 2024.

In 2024, the annual list was expanded to recognize 200 organizations. The results were determined after surveying more than 2.6 million employees from businesses with workforces varying in size from less than 50 to more than 10,000. Recognized organizations put respect, caring, and appreciation for their employees at the center of their business model and, in doing so, have earned the loyalty and respect of the people who work for them.

“Nicklaus Children’s is incredibly honored to once again be recognized among ‘America’s Top Most Loved Workplaces.’ Every employee shares the mission of providing the highest quality care to the children and families,” said Kara Marante Vice President and Chief People Officer at Nicklaus Children's Health System. “In order to advance our mission, it has to start with offering the very best to our employees through competitive benefits, perks, resources and work environment.”

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Nicklaus Children’s Hospital Included in Newsweek’s List of America’s Best Children’s Hospitals for 2024

In July 2024, Nicklaus Children’s Hospital was included in Newsweek’s list of America’s Best Children’s Hospitals 2024. Nicklaus Children’s was recognized with the most programs ranked within the state of Florida with distinctions in Gastroenterology, Neonatology, Neurology and Endocrinology. This prestigious award is presented by Newsweek and Statista Inc., the leading statistics portal and industry ranking provider.

The America’s Best Children’s Hospitals 2024 ranking awards 175 leading hospitals in eight pediatric subspecialties: Cardiology & Cardiac Surgery, Endocrinology, Gastroenterology & Gastrointestinal Surgery, Neonatology, Oncology & Hematology, Pulmonology & Thoracic Surgery, Neurology & Neurosurgery, and Orthopedics.

“Nicklaus Children’s is thrilled to have the most ranked programs in Florida in Newsweek's America’s Best Children’s Hospitals for 2024,” said Matthew A. Love, President and CEO of Nicklaus Children’s Health System. “This recognition highlights our clinical and support teams’ achievements in providing leading-edge treatment plans and high-quality patient care at Nicklaus Children’s, making us the place where your child matters most ™.”

Nicklaus Children's Hospital Earns 2023 and 2024 Leapfrog Top Hospital Awards for Outstanding Quality and Safety

Highlighting its nationally recognized achievements in patient safety and quality, Nicklaus Children’s Hospital was named a Top Children’s Hospital by The Leapfrog Group for both 2023 and 2024. The Leapfrog Top Hospital award is widely acknowledged as one of the most competitive awards American hospitals can receive. The Top Hospital designation is bestowed by The Leapfrog Group, a national watchdog organization of employers and other purchasers known as the toughest standard-setters for health care safety and quality.

“We are honored to be recognized once again as a Leapfrog Top Children’s Hospital,” said Matthew A. Love, President and CEO of Nicklaus Children’s Health System, parent organization of the hospital. “This award is a reflection of our deep commitment to the well-being of the children and families in our care, and a tribute to the excellence and dedication of our clinical and support teams. It is one more reason why Nicklaus Children’s is the hospital where children matter most.”

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New Scholarships Are Available for Students in Miami-Dade College’s Associate of Science in Nursing Program

Starting in October 2022, Nicklaus Children’s Hospital began collaborating with Miami-Dade College (MDC) to implement a scholarship program for students accepted to MDC’s Associate of Science in Nursing Program. The Nurse Scholars Program, sponsored by Nicklaus Children’s Health System, is administered by Edcor, a third-party service, and features tuition scholarship awards of up to $10,000.

The Nurse Scholars Program includes four semesters of didactic and clinical experiences as a student and Student Nurse Intern (SNIP). The SNIP is a per-diem employment opportunity for nurse scholars to be hired as care assistants to gain insight into the field of pediatric nursing. Pediatric and practicum experiences will be completed at Nicklaus Children’s Hospital and up to participants will be accepted during each fall and spring semester.

“Nurses are essential to our mission of providing amazing patient care to the children and families we serve,” said Shannon Odell, Nicklaus Children’s Vice President and Chief Nursing Officer. “It’s an honor for us to assist future nursing colleagues as they pursue their training and prepare for careers in this incredible profession.”

Students accepted into the Nicklaus Children’s Nurse Scholars Program are provided a scholarship towards school tuition of up to $10,000, with payment made directly to the school. Recipients are responsible for additional fees applied by the school.

After completion of the program, eligible graduates may be offered employment into the Horizon Nurse Residency program at Nicklaus Children’s Hospital to fulfill a two-year agreement within the organization. The graduating nurse scholar is required to complete a RN to BSN program after completion of the ASN program if hired as a Horizon Nurse Resident.

National Safe Sleep Hospital Certification Program Recognizes Nicklaus Children’s Hospital

In July 2024, Nicklaus Children’s Hospital was recognized by the National Safe Sleep Hospital as a “gold certified” hospital for their commitment to best practices and education on infant safe sleep.

The National Safe Sleep Hospital Certification Program was created by Cribs for Kids^®, a national infant safe sleep organization. Headquartered in Pittsburgh, PA, Cribs for Kids is dedicated to preventing infant sleep-related deaths due to SUID and accidental suffocation. As a Nationally Certified Safe Sleep Hospital, Nicklaus Children’s Hospital is recognized for following the safe sleep guidelines recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and providing training programs for healthcare team members, and family caregivers.

Nicklaus Children's Hospital Earns 2023 Emergency Nurses Association Lantern Award

In July 2023, Nicklaus Children’s Hospital’s Emergency Department was selected as a recipient of the Emergency Nurses Association’s (ENA) Lantern Award for demonstrating exceptional innovation in leadership, practice, education, advocacy, and research performance.

The Lantern Award showcases the Emergency Department’s (ED) accomplishments in incorporating evidence-based practice and innovation into emergency care. As part of the application, EDs are encouraged to share stories that highlight a commitment to care of patients, as well as the well-being of nursing staff. The award serves as a visible symbol of an organization’s commitment to quality, safety, and a healthy work environment.

“The Lantern Award truly shines a light on the excellence of our Emergency Department,” said Peter Kevin Cruz, MHA, BSN, RN, Director of Emergency Services. “It is emblematic of the excellence and commitment of our team to ensuring we offer the best possible pediatric emergency care.”

Baby Steps Program Honored at Health Care Heroes® Awards

In May 2024, Nicklaus Children's Hospital was awarded the Organization/Program Award for Baby Steps through the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce Health Care Heroes. This award honors individuals, institutions, professionals, students, volunteers, and programs that have made an extraordinary impact in the South Florida Health Care community.

Nicklaus Children’s Baby Steps Program Designated an American Academy of Nursing Edge Runner

In October 2023, Nicklaus Children’s Hospital and the University of Miami School of Nursing and Health Studies announced that their collaborative Baby Steps transition-to-home program was designated an Edge Runner by the American Academy of Nursing (Academy). Edge Runners are evidence-based, nurse-designed models that demonstrate significant clinical, financial, community, and policy outcomes with proven sustainability and replicability. Each of these programs highlights nurses’ ingenuity and collaboration in developing new methods to provide care and promote health equity.

The Baby Steps program was developed to help with the transition of care, from Nicklaus Children’s Hospital to home, for infants who received neonatal intensive care services and their caregivers. The overarching goal of the Baby Steps model is to provide holistic, nurse-led telehealth support to caregivers and infants during the difficult period of transition. With the development of culturally appropriate and language concordant care, the Baby Step model aims to limit any obstructions to receiving care with a comprehensive routine of infant care during and after the discharge process. Baby Steps was funded thanks to a generous grant by Florida Blue Foundation, with additional support from Nicklaus Children’s Young Ambassadors, University of Miami School of Nursing and the Cane Crusader Fund.

“Nicklaus Children’s nurses are innovators who continuously seek ways to improve care,” said Shannon Odell, MSN, RN, FACHE, NEA-BC, CENP, RNC-OB, Vice President and Chief Nursing Officer. “The Academy’s recognition of our nurse-led-and-developed Baby Steps program is a source of pride to all of us. The program truly embodies our commitment to care, excellence and innovation to serve the children and families of our community.”

Nicklaus Children's Hospital Receives Autism-Friendly Designation

On June 27, 2023, the University of Miami-Nova Southeastern University Center for Autism and Related Disabilities (UM-NSU CARD), South Florida’s leading resource for autism support, recognized Nicklaus Children’s Hospital as its newest “Autism Friendly Partner” as part of the organization’s initiative to create more inclusive places in the community for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and their families.

Nicklaus Children’s Adaptive Care Program team was in attendance to accept the designation, alongside leadership from UM-NSU CARD and a family whose son, diagnosed with Autism, went through the hospital’s Adaptive Care Program.

Nicklaus Children’s Adaptive Care Program, which supports children on the spectrum as well as those with other behavioral or developmental needs while hospitalized, works with families to understand the individual needs and preferences of neurodiverse patients, and helps devise strategies to improve the patient experience.

“We are extremely proud of our collaboration with Nicklaus Children’s Hospital and their dedication to becoming an `Autism Friendly’ partner,” said Dr. Michael Alessandri, Executive Director of UM-NSU CARD. “Our UM-NSU CARD Autism Friendly Initiative is aimed at creating more inclusive places in our community for individuals with autism spectrum disorder and related disabilities and their family members. These collaborations with healthcare facilities, museums, airports, arts centers, among others, benefit the businesses as well. When families feel welcomed and accepted, businesses grow in important ways and our communities are stronger for it.”

Nicklaus Children's Hospital Recognized for Excellence in Lactation Care

In June 2023, the International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners^® (IBLCE^®) and International Lactation Consultant Association^® (ILCA^®) recognized Nicklaus Children’s Hospital for excellence in lactation care. Nicklaus Children’s received the IBCLC Care Award in recognition of its commitment to staffing the hospital with professionals who hold the prestigious International Board Certified Lactation Consultant® (IBCLC^®) certification and providing a lactation program for breastfeeding families. In addition, the facility demonstrated that it has recently completed activities that help protect, promote, and support breastfeeding.

"We are immensely honored to be recognized by the IBLCE and ILCA for our excellence in lactation care,” said Shannon Odell, Vice President and Chief Nursing Officer at Nicklaus Children’s. “This achievement reflects our unwavering commitment to providing the highest quality of care to our pediatric patients and their families. At Nicklaus Children's, we strive to create a supportive environment that empowers and guides breastfeeding mothers, ensuring optimal health outcomes for both mothers and infants. This accolade is one more example of why Nicklaus Children’s is the hospital ‘where your child matters most.’”