One year old & counting
Nursing Professional Development Framework marks first anniversary
In the past, nurses wishing to remain at the bedside had limited opportunities to advance. Most were advised to consider management or teaching. At UMHS, all that changed with implementation of the Nursing Professional Development Framework last July.
“The Framework allows talented nurses to get promotions and be recognized without having to leave the bedside,” says Christine Pacini, R.N., Ph.D., director, Professional Development, Research and Innovation. Pacini oversees the Framework.
More than 300 nurses have been promoted to C, D and E nursing levels using the Framework, which offers a corps of coaches and an interactive Web site to guide nurses.
“The Framework is a refreshing change from the old restrictive clinical ladder,” says Theresa Thompson, R.N., B.S.N. “Nurses are empowered to direct their own career paths—and are rewarded for their clinical expertise.”
Thompson was involved in the design, implementation and contract negotiations surrounding the Framework. She is a district representative for the University of Michigan Professional Nurse Council and was recently promoted to level E.
“Patients benefit because our best and brightest are being rewarded,” Pacini says. “Nurses benefit because they don’t have to leave the work they love in order to gain recognition.”
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