Clinical Advancement Program

South Nassau Communities Hospital’s Clinical Ladder or Clinical Advancement Program (CAP)

The Clinical Ladder or Clinical Advancement Program (CAP) provides a way to formally recognize professional clinical full-time and part-time nurses for their expertise and engagement in unit, department and organizational activities.

Through the program, nurses analyze their own practice and seek recognition for the level of practice at the bedside that they have achieved.

FOCUS AREAS	RN I 250 Points Competent	RN II 300 points Competent - Proficient	RN III 350 points Proficient	RN IV 400 points Proficient - Expert	RN V Clinical Nurse Leader 450 points     Expert Has a minimum of 3 yrs of RN experience
DEFINITION OF CLINICAL PRACTICE	Competent clinician focused on expanding knowledge & skills	Proficient &  skilled clinician recognized for knowledge & skills by their peers	Well-developed clinical proficiency, recognized as an exemplary leader & role model in the clinical area	Well-developed clinical expertise, recognized as an exemplary leader & role model in the clinical area & within SNCH	Focused clinical expertise. Recognized as an exemplary leader, educator & practitioner in the clinical domain; Recommended for this level by DON for active contributions in addressing the strategic priorities of the organization. Must be endorsed for this level by the Nursing Operations Committee.
PROFESSIONALISM EDUCATION	Minimum of 10 CE contact hrs. annually	Minimum of 10 CE contact hrs. annually	Minimum of 10 CE contact hrs. annually	Minimum of 10 CE contact hrs. annually	Minimum of 10 CE contact hrs. annually Demonstrates a pattern of continuous learning
COMMUNITY SERVICE	Required	Required	Required	Required	Required Active community involvement portraying a positive image of nursing
QUALITY/ RESEARCH & INNOVATION	Active Participant in a council or committee	Active Participant in: councils, committees;  PI & Quality Projects or Initiatives	Active Participant in: councils, committees;  PI & Quality Projects or Initiatives	Lead/Co-Leads a council, committee or project; Participates in PI. Research & Quality Projects or Initiatives	Lead/Co-Leads a council, committee, task force or project that advances the strategic priorities of the organization; Actively participates in practice innovations,  research & quality projects or strategic initiatives
SERVICE EXCELLENCE	Exemplars demonstrating service excellence	Exemplars demonstrating service excellence	Exemplars demonstrating service excellence	Exemplars demonstrating service excellence	Multiple Exemplars demonstrating a philosophy of service excellence Consistently demonstrates the STAAR standards of performance in all interpersonal interactions
LEADERSHIP	Assumes Leader, Charge & Mentor Role; Member of a Professional Organization	Assumes Leader, Charge & Mentor Role; Member of a Professional Organization	Assumes Leader, Charge & Mentor Role; Member of a Professional Organization	Assumes Leader, Charge & Mentor Role; Member of a Professional Organization	Consistently and proactively assumes Leader, Charge & Mentor Role;  Member of a Professional Organization
POINT REQUIREMENTS	Minimum of 250 points with at least 20 points from each focus area.	Minimum of 300 points with at least 30 points from each focus area. focus area.	Minimum of 350 points with at least 40 points from each focus area.	Minimum of 400 points with at least 50 points from each focus area.	Minimum of 450 points with at least 50 points from each focus area.