Climbing the Clinical Ladder

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Outline

Overview

  1. What is the clinical ladder?
    1. A system or tool that employers use to organize career progression
    2. Levels will vary per employer
    3. Usually includes a reward system
    4. Climbing up levels indicates gaining experience and responsibility
    5. Moving up usually allows for a pay increase.
  2. Tips for climbing the ladder.
    1. Follow established orientation guidelines
    2. Focus on being a good nurse
    3. Look for opportunities to get involved
    4. Go to available training opportunities
    5. Obtain national certification
    6. Consider furthering education
  3. Applying to move up!
    1. Process will vary per hopsital
    2. Keep a portfolio to keep track of
      1. CE’s
      2. Volunteering
      3. Additional duties- charge nurse, precepting
      4. Training
      5. Thank you’s/Notes from patients

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Transcript

Today we’re going to be talking about climbing the clinical ladder.

So, first what is the clinical ladder.  Well, it’s a tool or system that employers use to measure and organize career progression within the organization.  The process for doing this will vary from hospital to hospital, but essentially when you move up the ladder it means that you’ve gained more experience, furthered your education, and taken on more responsibility.  Once these things have happened and you move up the ladder there will typically be an increase in pay!

Let’s quickly cover some tips for moving up the ladder.  First, you want to focus on completing your orientation. This will always be the first step in the process so don’t be in a hurry to start other things- focus on getting all the orientation things done!  Next, and most important, is to really just focus on being a good nurse! Honestly, this is so important and you will get recognized for it.  

These other tips are things that will likely sort of happen organically as opportunities come up but you want to get involved, take part in training opportunities, start working toward your national certification in your speciality, and have a plan for furthering your education. 


As you are doing these things, there will come a time when you are ready to apply to move up the ladder.  The process for this will vary but most all employers will be looking for you to provide documentation of your continuing education, volunteering, any additional duties you’ve done, your training and any thank you notes from patients you may have gotten.  The best thing to do is keep a portfolio where you can store and organize these items.

Okay so let’s recap the key points!  The clinical ladder is a tool employers use to organize career progression.  The best tips for making sure you can climb the ladder are be a great nurse, get involved and always look for ways to advance your learning. 

To apply- follow your employers process and keep a portfolio so you can keep track of your training and all the documents you will need to submit. 


We love you guys! Go out and be your best self today! And as always, Happy Nursing!

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Concepts Covered:

  • Oncology Disorders
  • Hematologic Disorders
  • Urinary Disorders
  • Male Reproductive Disorders
  • Sexually Transmitted Infections
  • Female Reproductive Disorders
  • Prenatal Concepts
  • Pregnancy Risks
  • Postpartum Complications
  • Fetal Development
  • Labor and Delivery
  • Labor Complications
  • Postpartum Care
  • Newborn Care
  • Newborn Complications
  • Integumentary Disorders
  • Liver & Gallbladder Disorders
  • Microbiology
  • Emotions and Motivation
  • Health & Stress
  • Prioritization
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  • Communication
  • Concepts of Population Health
  • Factors Influencing Community Health
  • Legal and Ethical Issues
  • Basics of NCLEX
  • Fundamentals of Emergency Nursing
  • Developmental Considerations
  • Trauma-Stress Disorders
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  • Community Health Overview
  • Integumentary Disorders
  • Postoperative Nursing
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  • Delegation

Study Plan Lessons

Stomach Cancer (Gastric Cancer)
Bladder Cancer
Kidney Cancer
Liver Cancer
Testicular Cancer
Prostate Cancer
Radiation Cancer Treatment
Chemotherapy Patients
Colorectal Cancer (colon rectal cancer)
Cervical Cancer
Ovarian Cancer
Antineoplastics
Anti Tumor Antibiotics
Antimetabolites
Alkylating Agents
Plant Alkaloids Topoisomerase and Mitotic Inhibitors
Nursing Care and Pathophysiology of BPH (Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia)
Nursing Care and Pathophysiology for Male Infertility
Nursing Care and Pathophysiology for Testicular Torsion
Nursing Care and Pathophysiology for Epididymitis
Varicocele
Nursing Care and Pathophysiology for Herpes Simplex (HSV, STI)
Nursing Care and Pathophysiology for Syphilis (STI)
Nursing Care and Pathophysiology for Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)
Nursing Care and Pathophysiology for Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)
Nursing Care and Pathophysiology for Endometriosis
Nursing Care and Pathophysiology for Menopause
Nursing Care and Pathophysiology for Human Papilloma Virus (HPV STI)
Nursing Care and Pathophysiology for Gonorrhea (STI)
Nursing Care and Pathophysiology for Chlamydia (STI)
OB Course Introduction
Menstrual Cycle
Family Planning & Contraception
Gestation & Nägele’s Rule: Estimating Due Dates
Gravidity and Parity (G&Ps, GTPAL)
Signs of Pregnancy (Presumptive, Probable, Positive)
Fundal Height Assessment for Nurses
Maternal Risk Factors
Physiological Changes
Discomforts of Pregnancy
Antepartum Testing
Nutrition in Pregnancy
Abortion in Nursing: Spontaneous, Induced, and Missed
Anemia in Pregnancy
Cardiac (Heart) Disease in Pregnancy
Chorioamnionitis
Gestational Diabetes (GDM)
Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation (DIC)
Ectopic Pregnancy
Hematomas in OB Nursing: Causes, Symptoms, and Nursing Care
Hydatidiform Mole (Molar pregnancy)
Hyperemesis Gravidarum
Gestational HTN (Hypertension)
Incompetent Cervix
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Fertilization and Implantation
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Process of Labor
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Postpartum Physiological Maternal Changes
Postpartum Interventions
Postpartum Discomforts
Breastfeeding
Postpartum Hematoma
Postpartum Hemorrhage (PPH)
Mastitis
Subinvolution
Postpartum Thrombophlebitis
Initial Care of the Newborn (APGAR)
Newborn Physical Exam
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Newborn Reflexes
Babies by Term
Transient Tachypnea of Newborn
Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP)
Hyperbilirubinemia (Jaundice)
Erythroblastosis Fetalis
Addicted Newborn
Newborn of HIV+ Mother
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Meconium Aspiration
Tocolytics
Betamethasone and Dexamethasone
Magnesium Sulfate
Opioid Analgesics
Prostaglandins
Uterine Stimulants (Oxytocin, Pitocin)
Meds for PPH (postpartum hemorrhage)
Rh Immune Globulin (Rhogam)
Lung Surfactant
Eye Prophylaxis for Newborn (Erythromycin)
Phytonadione (Vitamin K)
Hb (Hepatitis) Vaccine
Self Care & Avoiding Nursing Burnout
Time Management
Confidence Building as a New Grad Nurse
Working night shift
Transition To Practice
Prioritization
Precepting a New Nurse
Precepting a Student
Charge Nurse
Care for Hispanic Patient Populations
Care for Asian-Indian Patient Populations
Care for Native American Patient Populations
Caring for African Patient Populations
License Maintenance
Evidence Based Research
Why CEs (Continuing education) matter
Climbing the Clinical Ladder
Advanced Critical Thinking
Joint Commission
Handling Death and Dying
Postmortem Care
Trusting your Gut
Remaining Calm
Calling for RRT, Code Blue
Giving the Best Patient Education
Avoiding Alarm Fatigue
Different Dressings
Crash Cart
IV Pump Management
Legal Aspects of Documentation
What Guides Nurses Practice
Advance Directives
Nursing Care Delivery Models
Health Promotion Model
Health Promotion Assessments
Levels of Prevention
Legal Considerations
HIPAA
Admissions, Discharges, and Transfers
Patient Education
Documentation Basics
Documentation Pro Tips
Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs in Nursing
Delegation