title: Career ladder program for registered nurses in ambulatory care.
abstract: RN ladder programs are designed to inspire and reward clinical excellence. Kaiser Permanente Colorado's (KPCO) career ladder program emerged as a result of a labor-management partnership. Career ladder point assignments are reflective of the organization's priorities and values. KPCO's career ladder point tool awards RNs for formal and continuing education, professional presentations, organizational experience and experience as an RN, certifications and active professional memberships, leadership activities, research and publications, and nursing-related volunteer work. Participation in the RN career ladder requires that the nurse achieve a self-determined, manager-approved, measurable goal that will improve patient care. Career ladder nurses at KPCO were significantly more involved in leadership and interdisciplinary activities, quality improvement projects, and preceptorship.
authors.affiliation: University of Colorado at Denver, College of Nursing, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO , USA.
authors.forename: Joan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Nelson
authors.forename: Becky
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Sassaman
authors.forename: Alison
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Phillips