WOONSOCKET, R.I. — CVS Health announced Wednesday that MinuteClinic, the company’s retail medical clinic, joins a premier group of organizations that have received Pathway to Excellence designation from the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). MinuteClinic is the first retail health care organization to receive the Pathway designation, which is a global credential that highlights MinuteClinic’s commitment to creating a healthy work environment where advanced practice nurses and allied health care professionals feel empowered and valued.

As a Pathway organization, MinuteClinic leads the effort to enhance quality of care, patient and nursing safety, and the future of health care delivery. Nurses in Pathway designated organizations are engaged as an integral part of the health care team, with a voice in policy and practice, which results in higher job satisfaction, reduced turnover, improved safety, and better patient outcomes.

“We are honored to receive this important designation, which confirms the focused work we have undertaken at MinuteClinic to create a culture of nursing and professional practice excellence that supports our providers as clinicians, professionals and people,” said Angela Patterson, vice president and chief nurse practitioner Officer of MinuteClinic.  “We are proud of the culture we have created to empower our providers and enable them to focus on their purpose of delivering safe, high quality care to help our patients on their path to better health.”

“We congratulate MinuteClinic for achieving Pathway to Excellence designation and commend their leaders and front-line staff for committing to the journey  of ensuring a positive practice environment for their nurses and other health care team members,”  said Christine Pabico, director, Pathway to Excellence Program.  “We are proud to have Minute Clinic join the esteemed group of organizations that empower nurses and recognize the contributions they make to health and health care.”

The Pathway to Excellence Program recognizes health care and long term care organizations for positive practice environments where nurses excel. To qualify, organizations meet Pathway Standards essential to an ideal nursing practice environment.