Clinical Advancement Program

Mount Sinai South Nassau Clinical Ladder or Clinical Advancement Program (CAP)

Mount Sinai South Nassau’s (MSSN) 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. The program is based on progression through Patricia Benner’s Novice to Expert framework. CAP benefits patients, nurses, and our organization by supporting advancement of clinical RNs.

Clinical Advancement Program Goals

1. To promote/reward/retain RNs in direct patient care.
   
2. To promote/reward professionalism and excellence in clinical practice.
   
3. To promote/reward continued growth in knowledge and skills.
   
4. To promote/reward service/volunteerism that improves the health status of the community.
   
5. To foster a culture of nursing excellence and scholarly inquiry at MSSN

The Clinical Ladder consists of 4 levels of professional nursing practice and expertise based on the ANCC Magnet Model components. Required practice points must be assembled in 4 focus areas:

1. Structural Empowerment (Professional Development & Community Service)
   
2. Exemplary Professional Practice (Service Excellence, Quality, & Ethics)
   
3. New Knowledge & Innovation
   
4. Transformational Leadership
   
   

Level	Definition of Clinical Practice
RN I  Advanced Beginner  Minimum of 1yr experience	Competent clinician focused on expanding knowledge & skills.
RN II   Competent–Proficient   Minimum of 2 yrs. experience	Proficient & skilled clinician recognized for knowledge & skills by their peers.
RN III  Proficient  Minimum of 3 yrs. experience	Well-developed clinical proficiency, recognized as a leader & role model in the unit practice environment.
RN IV   Proficient–Expert Minimum of 3-4 yrs. experience	Well-developed clinical expertise, recognized as an exemplary leader & role model in the clinical area & within MSSN.
RN V  Clinical Nurse Leader Expert Minimum of 3-5 yrs. of RN experience	Focused clinical expertise. Recognized as an exemplary leader, educator & practitioner in the clinical domain; Recommended by DON for active contributions addressing MSSN’s strategic priorities beyond the unit. Consistently exceeds expectations.

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Clinical Advancement Program
Academic Affiliates