UCI Medical Center neurosciences, cardiovascular nursing units awarded Beacon Awards for Excellence
Prestigious recognition honors nursing excellence, innovation, evidence-based practice
Orange, Calif. — The neurosciences step down unit, the cardiovascular ICU and the cardiovascular surgery unit at UCI Medical Center, the flagship hospital of UCI Health in Orange, have been honored with the prestigious Beacon Award for Excellence by the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN).
The neurosciences step down unit received its first gold award, while both of the cardiovascular units received silver. In 2023, the UCI Health burn and medical ICUs both received gold awards.
The Beacon Award — a significant milestone for a nursing unit — signifies exceptional care through improved outcomes and greater overall satisfaction. Units recognized with the award routinely adhere to the highest standards of acute and critical care nursing and have demonstrated a commitment to patient care.
These units are part of a select group: Just 41 Beacon Awards were given in California in 2024; nine of them were gold and 23 were silver.
“The Beacon Award for Excellence recognizes caregivers in outstanding units whose consistent and systematic approach to evidence-based care optimizes patient outcomes. Units that receive this national recognition serve as role models to others on their journey to excellent patient and family care,” explains AACN President Jennifer Adamski, DNP, APRN, ACNP-BC, CCRN, FCCM.
Nursing excellence at UCI Health
UCI Health has a long-standing tradition of nursing excellence.
In 2023, it received its fifth Magnet designation, the highest national honor for professional nursing practice and the gold standard for nursing excellence. The academic health system has held this designation since 2003, when it became the first Magnet hospital in Orange County.
More than half of UCI Health nurses hold a national certification in at least one specialty and more than 80% have earned a bachelor of science in nursing or higher.