Clinical Ladder Gets a Makeover to Professional Recognition Program

Purpose:
The Professional Recognition Program (PRP) has proven to be an equitable and systematic vehicle for encouraging nursing professional growth and development. Our previous clinical ladder program was in need of a makeover in order to better achieve our organizational and nursing strategic goals.

Relevance/Significance:
The group decided to require all RNs applying to the PRP to have at least a BSN, or to be enrolled in a BSN program, or to be certified in their specialty area. These stipulations would help increase our RN certification rate and our organizational and nursing strategic goal to reach BSN 80% by 2020. Additionally, the program would help give RNs who return to school an added monetary incentive and give nurses without BSNs a chance to be part of the program by obtaining their degree.

Strategy and Implementation:
The program was implemented over a year long process in which various direct care nurses represnting each eligible area met to determine point values, criteria, program name, program logistics, relation to our organizational pillars, bonus structure and recognition for awarded applicants. Each direct care RN was responsible for educating their departments as well assigned areas in regards to the transition process away from the clinical ladder to the PRP program. The program is now finishing its second year. Applicants submitted their "packets" late Feb and were notified by letter that they will be receiving the annual PRP bonus during Nurses' Week.

Evaluation:
We had 147 applicants, for a particpation rate of 27%. This is a substantial increase from the 2013 clinical ladder program that had a 4% participation rate and 2014 PRP participation rate of 18%. We have also seen an increase in BSN rates, 2013 was 47.4%, 2014 was 53%. We have seen implementation of 5 journal clubs and a rise in specialty certifications 2013 we were at 21% and 26% in 2014.

Implications for Practice:
Based upon our Magnet Journey and improvemnt in our NDNI data, the PRP has had an imense impact on our practice and patient care as well as the professional practice of nursing. We hold true to the literature that, the BSN prepared RNs and specialty certified RNs lead to quality patient outcomes.