title: Evaluation of clinical ladder participation in Norway.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate nurses' reasons for joining a clinical ladder program, their experiences during participation, and how they use their new competence in practice.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cross-sectional survey design. Sample was 541 nurses who participated in clinical ladder programs at four hospitals in Norway. Data were analysed with descriptive and inferential statistics.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Internal motivational factors were most important reasons for joining a clinical ladder. Nursing leaders were lacking in their engagement with the clinical ladder project and its participants. Perceived learning effect, use of competence, and intent to stay increased as nurses progressed in the ladder.
authors: Centre for Shared Decision Making and Nursing Research, Rikshospitalet-Radiumhospitalet University Hospital, Oslo, Norway. i.t.bjork@medisin.uio.no
authors: Ida Torunn
authors: IT
authors: Bjørk
authors: Britt Saetre
authors: BS
authors: Hansen
authors: Gro Beate
authors: GB
authors: Samdal
authors: Solveig
authors: S
authors: Tørstad
authors: Glenys A
authors: GA
authors: Hamilton
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002322:Career Mobility; D002983:Clinical Competence; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003657:Decision Making; D004509:Education, Nursing, Continuing / Q000458:organization & administration*; D005260:Female; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009042:Motivation; D009664:Norway; D015402:Nursing Education Research; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D009741:Nursing Staff, Hospital / Q000193:education / Q000523:psychology*; D015279:Organizational Culture; D010563:Personnel Turnover; D015397:Program Evaluation; D013192:Staff Development / Q000458:organization & administration*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires