Career Planning Ladder Helps Nurses Envision the Future

Nursing pioneer Florence Nightengale once said, “Let us never consider ourselves finished nurses. We must be learning all our lives.” As the number of U.S. nurses continues to swell, her sentiment may be more relevant today than it ever was. Faced with an endless array of specialties and practice environments, ambitious caregivers are demanding new ways to advance their careers and strengthen their clinical and critical thinking skills.

To meet this growing need, Cleveland Clinic has created a professional ladder designed to recognize caregivers’ commitment to quality outcomes and patient safety. Designed to encourage career progression and achievement, the ladder program rewards nurses and other licensed and non-licensed caregivers who demonstrate a desire to heighten their clinical skills, education, competencies and professional expertise.

“The ladder motivates caregivers to develop and demonstrate skills that extend beyond their current role,” says Stephanie Sobeck, DNP, RN, NPD-BC, PCCN, Nursing Education Manager at Euclid Hospital and Cleveland Clinic’s Main Campus. “By fostering professional growth and providing meaningful recognition, the program also promotes exceptional patient care while encouraging experienced nurses to remain at the bedside.”

Climbing the rungs

The professional ladder concept originated with nursing theorist Patricia Benner, explains Sobeck. Benner’s “novice to expert” philosophy revolves around the five stages of clinical competence: novice, advanced beginner, competent, proficient and expert.

As such, participants progress up the five rungs of Cleveland Clinic’s professional ladder by meeting defined criteria of clinical excellence, skills and competence, professional expertise and educational attainment.

“The skills gained through the program can be used to pursue leadership roles in virtually every realm of healthcare – from project management and team building to process improvements and unit outcomes,” says Sobeck. “The ladder also gives caregivers the opportunity – and an incentive – to pursue new interests like publishing, healthcare advocacy or clinical research.”

Open to all caregivers in the Zielony Nursing Institute, the professional ladder includes two tracks: one for licensed caregivers (RNs, LISW, etc.) and another for non-licensed clinical care partners (patient care nursing assistants, paramedics, etc.). Participants may start at any level and advance up the ladder by completing designated activities and volunteer hours.

Depending on their personal interests and goals, caregivers can meet the program’s requirements by participating in a research committee; publishing a paper; becoming a subject matter expert; serving as a mentor for a science intern or high school student; holding office in a local, state or national healthcare organization; or developing a novel idea among other things.

“By building their own personal portfolio, caregivers are able to visualize the value of their contributions,” Sobeck says. “These accomplishments are excellent reminders of how they’ve gone above and beyond the expectations of their clinical position. Caregivers who participate in the program really do stand out from the rest.”

Everybody wins

Sobeck adds that healthcare organizations also derive important benefits from professional ladder programs, which can improve staff retention and enhance caregiver productivity.

“The professional ladder provides avenues for growth and continuous improvement that not only benefit the individual caregiver, but the entire institution as well – now and in years to come,” she says. “Importantly, the program encourages employee growth by showcasing the organization’s investment in the careers of their caregivers. Whether their interests lie in clinical research or the creation of policies and procedures, engaged caregivers are more likely to connect their personal goals and anticipated outcomes with those of their institution.”

Above all, Sobeck says that ladder programs “elevate both caregiver and institution by fostering professionalism and meaningful leadership skills.”