Transition to Practice

New graduate nurses at OSF HealthCare participate in our Transition to Practice Program: The First Year as a Nurse upon hire. This program integrates new Mission Partner orientation, nursing orientation, unit-based orientation, professional development courses, and a mentor program into one comprehensive nurse residency program. New graduate nurses are enrolled in cohorts that are led by a first year coach or coaches over the 12-month period.
During the first year, nurses complete an introductory class as well as three core classes focusing on such topics as communication, time management and delegation, and professional development. Nurses also participate in 10 hours of elective courses that assist the nurse in moving from a “generalist” in nursing to a specialist in the area nursing area they intend to work. There are bi-monthly group discussions and a 4-hour “Walk in my Shoes” experience where the new nurse completes an observation with a fellow Mission Partner.

The Transition to Practice program provides an educational support system where nurses:

• Continue to build practice knowledge
• Strengthen decision-making skills
• Develop clinical leadership skills
• Deepen their understanding of the value of research and evidence based practice
• Formulate a career plan promoting a lifelong commitment to professional nursing
• Receive emotional support from nursing peers

OSF Advance Career Ladder Program

At OSF HealthCare, we promote and recognize nursing excellence through our OSF RN Career Ladder Program. The OSF RN Career Ladder Program invests in RNs by recognizing their contributions to OSF HealthCare and the nursing profession. The aim of this program is to support and reward individual academic progression and professional development and includes the full scope of professional nursing practice in the four domains of Nurse as Leader, Nurse as Practitioner, Nurse as Transferor of Knowledge, and Nurse as Scientist.

Patricia Benner’s “Novice to Expert” professional nursing development model is the conceptual framework for the OSF RN Career Ladder Program. After graduating nursing school, nurses start their careers as a Novice and progress to Advanced Beginners. At this level nurses demonstrate concrete thinking and focusing on individual aspects of patient care rather than the holistic patient condition. During the first year, RNs are deemed a Clinical Nurse I, and will participate in a clinical residency with educational content in their area of specialty (applies only to new graduate nurses). After successful completion of this program, RNs enter the Competent Stagewhere they are able to demonstrate an expanded knowledge base and an increased ability to act independently, but still needing support from nurses with greater experience. Graduation from the Nurse Residency Program for new nurse graduates, or completion of the probationary period for experienced nurses, as well as completion of credits in two of the four identified domains will allow the nurse to become Clinical Nurse II if desired.

RNs who have cared for the same patient population over the past 18-24 months are now entering the Proficient Stage of professional development.  At this stage, nurses are independent caregivers with the ability to make sound decisions and serve as a resource to other nurses. At this level nurses are expected to have a BSN and national certification in their area of specialty. These qualifications as well as ongoing coursework through OSF Corporate University and specified contributions in three of four domains of nursing allows a nurse to advance to a Clinical Nurse III level if he or she chooses.  Nurses may demonstrate the Expert Level as a Clinical Nurse IVafter completing an MSN degree and an Advanced Expert Level as a Clinical Nurse V after completing a doctoral degree. At each of these stages, nurses provide care intuitively based on their vast experience. As nurses advance in experience, their ability to contribute to OSF HealthCare and to the nursing profession expands. Progression in the OSF RN Career Ladder Program recognizes and rewards nurses for their continued educational advancement and professional development.

Clinical Nurse (CN) I (baseline pay)

• Has an associate, diploma, or BSN degree
• Enrolled in the OSF Nurse Residency Program (new graduates)
• Within 90-day probation period (newly hired experienced nurse)
• Nurses not wishing or able to advance within the ladder program

Clinical Nurse (CN) II (5% pay raise over baseline)

• Has an associate, diploma, or BSN degree
• Graduated from the OSF Nurse Residency Program (new graduates)
• Completed 90-day probation period (newly hired experienced nurse)
• Has completed 10-19 approved credits from at least two of the four domains of Nurse as Leader, Nurse as Practitioner, Nurse as Transferor of Knowledge, and Nurse as Scientist.

Clinical Nurse (CN) III (10% pay raise over baseline)

• Has a BSN degree
• Holds an Accredited National Certification in area of specialty
• Has completed the Level 1 and Level 2 Preceptor Courses
• Has completed 20-29 approved credits from at least three of the four domains of Nurse as Leader, Nurse as Practitioner, Nurse as Transferor of Knowledge, and Nurse as Scientist.

Clinical Nurse (CN) IV (15% over baseline)

• Has an MSN degree
• Holds an Accredited National Certification in area of specialty
• Member of Professional Nursing Organization
• Has completed the Level 1 and Level 2 Preceptor Courses
• Serves as adjunct faculty at an OSF College of Nursing or other accredited program that is participating in the DEU, DEE, or DOU programs and/or has clinical rotations at an OSF facility
• Has completed 30 or more approved credits from all four domains of Nurse as Leader, Nurse as Practitioner, Nurse as Transferor of Knowledge, and Nurse as Scientist.

Clinical Nurse (CN) V (20% pay raise over baseline)

• Has a DNP or PhD in Nursing
• Holds an Accredited National Certification in area of specialty
• Member of Professional Nursing Organization
• Has completed the Level 1 and Level 2 Preceptor Courses
• Serves as adjunct faculty at an OSF College of Nursing or other accredited program that is participating in the DEU, DEE, or DOU programs and/or has clinical rotations at an OSF facility
• Facilitator/leader/contributor for an OSF Fellowship or Residency Program and/or contributor to an OSF Corporate University Pathway course
• Has completed 30 or more approved credits from all four domains of Nurse as Leader, Nurse as Practitioner, Nurse as Transferor of Knowledge, and Nurse as Scientist.
• DNP
  • DNP nurse has conducted or is conducting at least one translational science nursing research study either as PI or Co-PI/Site PI during the application year (study does not have to be closed). Translational research closes the gap between research and practice by transforming scientific findings or discoveries from basic research into new clinical tools, processes, or applications, thus improving patient care and promoting public health. Cannot count the same study multiple years.
• PhD
  • PhD nurse has conducted or is conducting at least one nursing research study (quantitative, qualitative, or mixed methods) either as PI or Co-PI/Site PI during the application year that increases or advances knowledge through systematic investigation of a subject or phenomenon related to nursing and/or patient care. (Study does not have to be closed.) Cannot count the same study multiple years.
• Dissemination
  • Disseminate research findings both internally and externally to OSF HealthCare via one or more of the following modalities (Letter of acceptance to present or publish is allowed if not occurring in same year)
    
    • Poster Presentation
    • Podium Presentation
    • Publication in a peer reviewed journal
    • TRIP can be used for internal dissemination by DNP

Certification

OSF HealthCare will reimburse nurses up to $300 for one certification exam upon successful pass of the exam and then ongoing recertification. This benefit supports our goal to promote and recognize nursing excellence through the continuous acquisition of clinical knowledge, professional development and growth of our nurses.