Leveraging a Shared Governance Structure to Design a Professional Practice Advancement Program

Recently, ANCC raised the requirements for organizations seeking Magnet designation or redesignation. This change most significantly impacts the area of nurse satisfaction. One well published and effective tool used by many organizations is a formal professional advancement program. Most often build on the conceptual framework of Benner’s Novice to Expert, these programs provide for reward and recognition as direct care nurses engage in professional growth while remaining at the point of care. As these programs have been in place for nearly four decades, many organizations have undertaken program evaluation and revision efforts in order to ensure that the structure is timely and continues to attract nursing participation. One critical factor consistently identified as a requirement for success is active staff nurse involvement in creating, implementing, evaluating and revising the program. This presentation describes one organization’s experience using the existing shared governance structure to create and implement a professional practice advancement program.