Erie Veterans Affairs Medical Center Statement of Work (SOW) Contract Title. American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) Pathway to Excellence (PTE) designation for the Erie VA Medical Center, 135 E. 38th Street, Erie PA 16504. 2. Background. The Erie VA Medical Center (EVAMC) desires the Brand Name or Equal to American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) for Pathway to Excellence (PTE) designation. Pathway to Excellence continually strives to stay relevant with the evolving healthcare landscape. The Commission on PTE ensures that the Pathway Standards and Elements of Performance integrate new concepts, knowledge, evidence-based practices, and healthcare trends. Definitions or Acronyms: ANCC American Nurses Credentialing Center EOP Element of Performance elements of the PTE standards that are essential to an ideal nursing practice environment. ODF Organizational Demographic Form OO Organizational Overview PAR Pathway Applicant Registration PTE Pathway to Excellence VA Department of Veterans Affairs EVAMC Erie Veterans Affairs Medical Center 3. Scope. The PTE Program recognizes healthcare organizations and long-term care institutions for positive practice environments where nurses excel. Pathway-designated organizations create and sustain this positive practice environment by nursing involvement in interprofessional collaboration and shared decision-making at all levels. To qualify, organizations meet six practice standards essential to an ideal nursing practice environment and optimal patient outcomes: Shared Decision-Making, Leadership, Safety, Quality, Well-Being, and Professional Development. Applicants conduct a review process to fully document the integration of those standards in the organization s practices, policies, and culture by writing to these six standards and submitting them for review and approval. Pathway designation can only be achieved if nursing staff validate that their organization meets the Pathway Standards via data and evidence submitted and an independent, confidential survey. This critical element exemplifies the theme of empowering and giving nurses a voice. Pathway to Excellence Program s appraisal process, as indicated in the Pathway Manual, incorporated herein by reference, controls the review, decision-making, and designation processes for the PTE Program designation (if awarded). All PTE requirements must be maintained through the application phase, the review phase, and designation, including all payment of fees when due. Failure to pay fees as outlined in this solicitation or arrangement to pay fees will result in action against applicant or Pathway-designated organization s credential, up to and including denial of application or revocation. Providing false, misleading, or incomplete information is grounds for denial of the application at any point during the review process or whenever this information is discovered. Nurses trust that Pathway-designated organizations respect nursing contributions, support professional development, and nurture optimal practice environments. Communities desire satisfied nurses because they are better equipped to deliver high quality care. 4. Specific Tasks. ANCC s PTE program office staff manages and coordinates all aspects of the registration and appraisal process. At an assigned date, the EVAMC will submit to ANCC the following documents: Phase 1: Pathway Applicant Registration (P.A.R.). June 1, 2025 The Pathway Program Office will assign a Senior Analyst. ANCC will grant EVAMC access to the ANCC Pathway Portal and Learning Community database. Submission of an application or completion of processes outlined in the Pathway manual does not, in and of itself, guarantee Pathway to Excellence designation. Phase 2: Document Submission and Appraisal June 1, 2026 EVAMC completes Organizational Demographic Form (ODF) EVAMC completes Organizational Overview (OO) Submit evidence that all Elements of Performance (EOP) are met, a Table of Contents and Glossary. Phase 3: Pathway Nurse Survey Summer/Fall 2026 Upon successful document review and approval by ANCC, a confidential online survey is administered by ANCC to EVAMC Nursing staff to validate the data and evidence submitted in the Document Submission. ANCC shall review such survey information and the Commission on PTE makes the final decision regarding designation. ANCC will provide written confirmation of the online Nurse Survey dates with additional instructions for completion. ANCC shall review such online survey information and provide the EVAMC with the PTE designation if the submitted information is validated. EVAMC Nursing staff will access the online survey via a link provided to the organization by the PTE office. The link will be accessible only through the confirmed survey dates. The PTE program office will provide access to weekly progress reports in the Pathway Portal for the first three weeks of the Nurse Survey. Phase 4: Desig