Abstract
Background: Clinical recognition advancement programs are invaluable for sustaining the development of clinical nurses and have been associated with improvement in nursing satisfaction and retention (Mijares & Radovich, 2020). At a large academic teaching institution in New Jersey, a voluntary clinical ladder program recognizes professional advancement through structured opportunities that align with institutional goals.
To participate in the program, criteria for each level are defined in domains of practice that reflect the ANA standards of professional practice and organizational values (Kanaskie & Reynolds, 2020). Submission of an electronic portfolio is required and reviewed by two committee members to ensure standards.
In 2023, increased portfolio resubmissions regarding the program were notable. These incidental findings demonstrated the need for additional mentorship to encourage first-time submission and limit the need for resubmission.
Method: Targeted initiatives have enhanced program visibility, streamlined the application process, and offered mentorship for future participants. Creation of introductory and informational courses offered nurses an opportunity to clarify details about the program.
Discussion: The in-person and virtual live sessions provided ease of access to information. The courses awarded contact hours to participants, which promoted the importance of career advancement. The course reviewed professional development opportunities highlighting areas of leadership, volunteerism, research and innovation, preceptorship workshops and other initiatives related to the organization’s goals.
Successful completion of the program involves hospital-wide recognition award ceremony, ceremonial pin, lunch, and games (Bremer, 2020).
Conclusions/Implications for Practice: For future program initiatives, one goal is to focus on new graduate nurses and foster their organizational involvement and lifetime learning. The findings suggest that expanding access to professional development resources is vital to empowering nurses, allowing for professional advancement, and driving continuous improvement in patient outcomes.
Notes
References:
Bremer, M. (2020). Clinical Ladders as a Professional Development Tool. Journal of the American Society of Echocardiography. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.echo.2020.03.005
Kanaskie, M. L., & Reynolds, K. A. (2020). Sustaining the Development of Clinical Nurses Within a Magnet Organization. The Nursing clinics of North America, 55(1), 109–120. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cnur.2019.10.008
Mijares, A. & Radovich, P. (2020). Structured Mentorship and the Nursing Clinical Ladder. Clinical Nurse Specialist, 34 (6), 276-281. doi: 10.1097/NUR.0000000000000558
Tucci, R., McClain, B. & Peyton, L. (2022). Beyond a Clinical Ladder. JONA: The Journal of Nursing Administration, 52 (12), 659-665. doi: 10.1097/NNA.0000000000001228
Sigma Membership
Non-member
Type
Poster
Format Type
Text-based Document
Study Design/Type
Other
Research Approach
Other
Keywords:
Mentoring and Coaching, Nursing Education, Advances in Education, Continuing Development, Clinical Nurses
Recommended Citation
Fernandez, Lourdes Cristina and Robayo, Marilynn, "Driving Excellence and Retention Through Professional Development Opportunities" (2025). Biennial Convention (CONV). 58.
https://www.sigmarepository.org/convention/2025/posters_2025/58
Conference Name
48th Biennial Convention
Conference Host
Sigma Theta Tau International
Conference Location
Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
Conference Year
2025
Rights Holder
All rights reserved by the author(s) and/or publisher(s) listed in this item record unless relinquished in whole or part by a rights notation or a Creative Commons License present in this item record. All permission requests should be directed accordingly and not to the Sigma Repository. All submitting authors or publishers have affirmed that when using material in their work where they do not own copyright, they have obtained permission of the copyright holder prior to submission and the rights holder has been acknowledged as necessary.
Review Type
Abstract Review Only: Reviewed by Event Host
Acquisition
Proxy-submission
Date of Issue
2025-12-05
Driving Excellence and Retention Through Professional Development Opportunities
Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
Background: Clinical recognition advancement programs are invaluable for sustaining the development of clinical nurses and have been associated with improvement in nursing satisfaction and retention (Mijares & Radovich, 2020). At a large academic teaching institution in New Jersey, a voluntary clinical ladder program recognizes professional advancement through structured opportunities that align with institutional goals.
To participate in the program, criteria for each level are defined in domains of practice that reflect the ANA standards of professional practice and organizational values (Kanaskie & Reynolds, 2020). Submission of an electronic portfolio is required and reviewed by two committee members to ensure standards.
In 2023, increased portfolio resubmissions regarding the program were notable. These incidental findings demonstrated the need for additional mentorship to encourage first-time submission and limit the need for resubmission.
Method: Targeted initiatives have enhanced program visibility, streamlined the application process, and offered mentorship for future participants. Creation of introductory and informational courses offered nurses an opportunity to clarify details about the program.
Discussion: The in-person and virtual live sessions provided ease of access to information. The courses awarded contact hours to participants, which promoted the importance of career advancement. The course reviewed professional development opportunities highlighting areas of leadership, volunteerism, research and innovation, preceptorship workshops and other initiatives related to the organization’s goals.
Successful completion of the program involves hospital-wide recognition award ceremony, ceremonial pin, lunch, and games (Bremer, 2020).
Conclusions/Implications for Practice: For future program initiatives, one goal is to focus on new graduate nurses and foster their organizational involvement and lifetime learning. The findings suggest that expanding access to professional development resources is vital to empowering nurses, allowing for professional advancement, and driving continuous improvement in patient outcomes.
Description
Improving strategies to increase engagement and retention of nurses through professional development opportunities.