Does your hospital have a clinical ladder? Should you get involved? Hospitals often have such services, so they can reward employees for their excellence in care. Starting and maintaining a clinical ladder means increasing your knowledge, professionalism, teamwork and financial rewards. Nurses can upgrade their careers from Category 1 RNs to Category 4. They can achieve this by demonstrating clinical expertise and completing continuing education courses, advancing their professional certification and conducting research. RN program participants are reviewed and approved by peers.

All you need to do is get a packet explaining your hospital plan. Then review these requirements to see what you think is achievable.

The clinical ladder of each institution is different. If you do not complete the higher category of your registration, some hospitals will not let you drop to the lower category. For example, if you sign up to complete Category 2 and do not complete within the allotted time, the hospital may not allow you to drop you down to Category 1. A nursing manager or nursing education department is usually to help you set up the program and guide you through all the rules.

The reason why the hospital has a clinical ladder:

1. Promote excellence in practice to ensure quality patient care;
2. Identify nurses who demonstrate leadership in their units;
3. Maintaining an expert nurse at the bedside;
4. Encourage continuous personal and professional development;
5. Promote professional development;
6. Support the recognition and retention of caregivers;
7. Promote self-development of leadership;
8. Promote superior customer service and teamwork;
9. Clearly define the level of care capacity;
10. Promote participation in volunteer community and health care services;
11. Many organizations need to prepare for magnet designation.

Popular clinical ladder options:

1. Certification in the field of nursing;
2. a higher university degree, such as BSN or MSN;
3. CEU or contact time available at a live meeting;
4. Online or webcast learning programs provide convenient contact time;
5. ACLS, PALS, NRP certification may be part of the clinical ladder option;
6. University credits [medical related] are a good way to earn clinical credits;
7. Volunteers participating in community health exhibitions;
8. Direct or guide the new nurse;
9. Is the head nurse;
10. Actively participate in hospital committees [usually at least a few hours];
11. Provide journal clubs or semi-formal services to your peers on the subject of patient care.
12. Become a champion [Wound Care, Pain, Magnet, Road to Excellence, P.I. etc.]

Nurse clinical ladder success was originally published on Spring