On January 22, 2007 in a dimly lit room, similar to that of a nursing graduation/pinning ceremony, nine nurses of Florida Hospital Zephyrhills were recognized for their achieving the position of Clinical Nurse 2, one rung on the Nursing Clinical Ladder Program. Ruth Hemphill, CNO; Kevan Metcalfe, Chief Administrative Officer; and Scott Pittman, CEO; addressed the group of nine nurses and ten nursing directors.
The discussion about creating a Clinical Ladder program began in the summer of 2006. The Nursing Clinical Ladder program was designed to enhance the staff nurse’s ability to advance within the profession while maintaining their expertise at the bedside.
Components of Nursing Clinical Ladder program are:
- Education – Achieves advanced education level and/or credentialing of specialty and seeks on-going learning opportunities.
- Professional Practice – Functions as a role model, promoting professional growth of colleagues and profession.
- Leadership – Acts as a positive leader and innovator.
- Clinical Outcomes – Promotes optimal health through effective patient outcome management.
Metcalfe started the luncheon by congratulating the group and stating, “I’m impressed, but not surprised. The Clinical Ladder program is not mandatory and your being in the program demonstrates that patient care is foremost in your minds and that our patients will be better off with you caring for them.”
Hemphill echoed his sentiments by exclaiming, “I’m so proud of you. I know it was a lot of work and it shows your dedication to the profession of bedside nursing.” She said the notebooks each nurse submitted were spectacular and she appreciated their willingness to invest and bring back their knowledge to their patients, nursing units and the hospital as a whole.
“The laborer is worthy of the hire,” quoted Pittman. “There is a sacred covenant between what a person does with their hands, job and heart.” He affirmed the group saying, “You will make a collateral difference at the bedside while others are watching you. You now have a different perspective and your peers will be looking up to you.” The sentiment Pittman left with the group was, “Nobody cares how much you know, until they know how much you care.”
The awardees were (pictures L to R):
Regina Allison, RN CVICU
Patricia Cedrone, RN CVOR
Christine Baker, RN CVOR
Dee McMichael, RN Clinical Coordinator CVICU
Kelly Launiere, RN OR
Kathy James, RN OR Educator
Lisa Varnum, RN Bariatrics & OR Recovery
Doreen Strain, RN Cath Lab
Susan McCusiton, RN OR Recovery (not pictured)
