UNF launches human-centered care badge to strengthen compassionate nursing

The University of North Florida is launching a new Human-Centered Care Badge, an employer-informed credential designed to equip nursing students with advanced competencies in empathic communication, emotional intelligence and professional presence at the bedside.

The program is a partnership between UNF MedNexus and the School of Nursing. Developed in direct response to feedback from healthcare leaders across Northeast Florida, the badge addresses a critical workforce need: ensuring that new nurses enter the profession not only clinically prepared, but also ready to deliver compassionate, patient-centered care.

The Human-Centered Care Badge reinforces the foundational reason behind nursing - caring for people during their most vulnerable moments.

"Healthcare is evolving rapidly with more technology, AI and automation integrated into care delivery every day," said Julie Williams Merten, Ph.D., associate dean of UNF MedNexus. "But as the system becomes more advanced, the human connection between a provider and a patient becomes even more essential. This badge was built in direct partnership with industry because healthcare leaders emphasized that empathic communication, emotional intelligence, and professional presence at the bedside are critical skills for the next generation of nurses.

A regional collaboration across major healthcare systems

The badge curriculum and instruction is guided by a Human-Centered Care Task Force representing the major healthcare systems in Northeast Florida, including Mayo Clinic Florida, HCA Florida Healthcare, Baptist Health, AdventHealth, Brooks Rehabilitation, UF Health, Ascension and GlyTech.

This collaboration ensures the badge reflects real employer expectations and prepares students for success across diverse clinical environments.

"When someone is at their most vulnerable, nursing can do much more than complete a clinical task," said Kristen Sutton, member of the Human-Centered Care Task Force and chief nursing officer of AdventHealth Palm Coast and AdventHealth operations in Flagler and St. Johns counties. "Nurses who communicate with empathy and emotional intelligence are better equipped. Nursing at its best helps people feel cared for beyond the bedside, and this new credential will help prepare the next generation to bring that kind of care to life."

Integrating compassion into nursing education

The Human-Centered Care Innovation Badge is 12 weeks and includes four instructional modules and a capstone reflection experience centered around foundations of human-centered care, empathic communication in action, emotional intelligence for clinical excellence and innovation in patient experience.

Students will complete a capstone project demonstrating applied empathy and communication skills at the MedNexus Innovation Exchange simulation center.

"Nursing has always been grounded in compassion and human connection," said Deb Harrison, DNP, UNF School of Nursing interim director. "This badge strengthens those core values while equipping our students with the emotional intelligence and communication skills needed to thrive in today's complex healthcare environments. It reinforces that exceptional nursing care is both clinically excellent and deeply human."

Learn more on the UNF MedNexus website.