What makes people, organizations, and ideas exceptional? The answer is not easy, for sure.

I
went out and asked around. I talked to people of all ages, shapes, and sizes and asked all the
right questions….questions that dig past surface accomplishments to a place where some
invisible thread of excellence brings them together as exceptional individuals. I got beautiful
answers.
One lawyer said that excellence is an art won by training and habituation. We do not act rightly
because we have virtue or excellence, but we rather have those because we have acted rightly.
Being a great lawyer requires a combination of high intelligence, strong analytical and advocacy
skills, and an ability to communicate effectively both in and out of court.
Then came an engineer friend. He said that excellence is not being the best; it is doing your
best. Engineers are society's innovators. For millennia, they have turned knowledge into
practical applications. For him, an excellent engineer possesses a strong analytical aptitude,
shows an attention to detail, and has good problem solving skills.
How do doctors view excellence? I’m sure this is your next question. I did not have to go
somewhere else because I found the right answer within the comforts of our living room.
Having both parents as doctors, I have learned that excellence is the gradual result of always
striving to do better. For them excellence is more of an attitude than a skill. The best doctors
are driven by a passion for patient care, approach the practice of medicine with humility, and
are as notable for empathy and curiosity as for core expertise.
This leads us to our very own field – the nursing profession. Instead of going further into the
practice, allow me to talk about ‘the here and the now’ – Excellence as nursing students!
Excellence as nursing educators! Excellence as a college of nursing! Now the question is – what
are the hallmarks of excellence in nursing education? How do we immortalize the adjective
‘outstanding’?
Let’s look at our leadership.
Are our college leaders respected in various university-based, local, national, and even
international forums?
Do they hold influential positions in various institutional committees here and abroad?
Do they bring proposals that will influence change in nursing education?
Do they receive awards in recognition of their contributions to the field and to the
community?
Excellence in our school leadership means assuming roles that advance quality nursing care;
promote positive change, innovation, and excellence; and enhance the power and influence of
the nursing profession!
How about the curriculum? the environment? our resources?
 Excellence means having that environment that empowers students and faculty and
promotes collegial dialogue, innovation, change, creativity, values development, and
ethical behavior.
Excellence means that the student support services are culturally-sensitive, innovative,
and empower students during the recruitment, retention, progression, graduation, and
career planning processes.
Excellence means Financial resources of the program are used to support curriculum
innovation, visionary long-range planning, faculty development, an empowering
learning environment, creative initiatives, continuous quality improvement of the
program, and evidence-based teaching/ learning/evaluation practices.
Excellence means making a commitment to challenge traditional approaches to nursing
education and implement more innovative, evidence-based approaches; having a
program structured in such a way that faculty, students, and alumni are prepared shape
a new reality for nursing and nursing education; and engaging in discussions about what
kind of future we envision for nursing and nursing education!

And lastly, yet most importantly – us students, and you teachers (point to teachers)!
In weaving the thread of excellence in nursing education, the two most important characters
are the nursing teachers and the nursing students.
Teachers, do you continually search for nursing educators, whose excellence in
education, clinical practice, and research will help create a balanced yet strong team?
Students, are you excited about learning? Do you exhibit a spirit of inquiry and a sense
of wonderment, and commit to lifelong learning?
Teachers, do you strive to have unique contributions in helping the program of the
College of Nursing achieve its goals? Are these contributions valued? Rewarded?
Recognized?
Students, do you express anticipatory excitement about continuing your education,
pursuing graduate study, assuming leadership roles in their employment setting and in
the profession and becoming actively involved in professional associations, writing for
publication, as well as the contributions you hope to make to the nursing profession?
Teachers, are you accountable for promoting excellence and providing leadership in
your area of expertise? Are you a model of commitment to lifelong learning,
involvement in professional nursing associations, and nursing as a career?
As I wind up, let me enjoin everyone to embrace excellence with enthusiasm. Let us make
excellence as a way of life!
Let us be excellent to each other! Let us remind ourselves to be helpful all the time, apply
ourselves fully to every task, and be kind to even the most unpleasant individuals. I saw how my
cousin’s face grew radiant when I told her that her jade earrings made her eyes look beautiful.
The trisikad driver giggled when I complimented him on his haircut. My classmates opened up
more to me when I inquired about their weekend and actually listened to their responses.
When I smile to our helper, she smiled back. Indeed, during mundane moments, I came to
understand that excellence was not just about being perfect.
Excellence as the most impact when I first focus on my own peace and happiness, and then
send it out to the world! Since then, I have decided to carry excellence as a mantra….as a
presence! I have made excellence as a WAY OF LIFE!