Congress Abstracts 2006

283

NURSE EMPOWERMENT THROUGH A CLINICAL LADDER PROGRAM. Catherine Bergman, RN, BSN, OCN^® , Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute, Columbus, OH.

The clinical ladder program was created to recognize those nurses who made the career decision to stay at the bedside and avenues in which to empower themselves and their institution. Research has shown that empowering the individual is a major benefit not only to the individual, but also to the institution in which they are employed.

The purpose of this poster was to outline the benefits of the clinical ladder program and the different avenues to advance through the program.

Participation in the clinical ladder program allows nurses to gain empowerment through committee and community work, writing policies, giving in-services and many other avenues benefiting their institution and community. The three areas of focus were selected to enhance the nurses' competency in their fields and are as follows: clinical management, education and research. These focus areas allow the nurses a broad range in which to cultivate their clinical strengths, encourages them to be accountable, improves interpersonal relationships, increases self-confidence, and provides a clinical environment in which to promote professional development.

A survey of current clinical ladder nurses was conducted to examine the reasons why they entered and completed the program. With a 100% response rate, 37% listed increased knowledge base, 32% listed self-improvement, and 31% reported financial incentive as motivation for completing the program. The nurse's involvement in education, community and professional organizations provided them the opportunity to accomplish this.