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Learning Objective 1: The learner will be able to see how the recognition of the nurse increases participation in professional development, leadership and evidence-based clinical projects.
Learning Objective 2: The learner will be able to see how a meaningful recognition program leads to a culture of nursing excellence.
Purpose: The Clinical Ladder Program's purpose is to recognize and reward the direct care nurse who excells in the clinical area. A second purpose was to retain the expert nurse at the bedside.
Criteria: Nurses earned points related to their job performance, completion of a clinical project well as professional development activities of certification, continuing education, obtaining an advanced degree, presentations, publications, and professional organization involvement as well as leadership activities which included active committee membership, precepting, peer reference, and community involvement. Project completion indicates the level of achievement; Clinical Nurse I completes a clinical scholarship, Clinical Nurse II, a care outcomes (process improvement) and Clinical Nurse III completes a research study. Nurses are recognized annually for their achievements at a special luncheon, reeive paid time or monetary compensation as well as a pin denoting level. Recognizing exceptional nurses in others roles, educators, mcanagers, advanced practice nurses, expanded eligibility for Clinical Nurse III level.
Results: Over 30% of the nurses have participated over time resulting in 900 clinical scholarship projects, 100 care outcomes projects and 40 research projects with dissemination activities. Our institution received two exemplars from the Magnet Commission in January of 2011 for having nursing research embedded in the organization and the numerous peer-reviewed publications, presentations at international, national, state and regional levels and many achievements. Retention of nurses remains strong with minimal turnover.