Clinical Ladder
At RCH our Nursing Clinical Ladder promotes, recognizes and rewards excellence
in clinical practice and professionalism of nursing staff. It promotes
exceptional bedside nursing patient care and clinical participation in
the areas of leadership, continuing education, and evidence based practice
participation; and champions the recruitment and retention of qualified
registered nurses.

RCH is committed to customer service and nursing excellence standards,
as such, we believe ongoing education and certification will result in
improved patient care and outcomes. Therefore, the Nursing department
in collaboration with Human Resources has established a program to celebrate
the bedside nurse and to provide advancement for exceptional clinical
nurses to remain at the bedside.
Progression on the clinical ladder is attained through higher education
and certification in area of specialty. The highest rung of the clinical
ladder is the
Nurse Mentor. The Professional Practice Congress, composed of bedside nurses and nursing
leadership, chose the title Nurse Mentor to emphasize the supportive and
communicative aspects of the role. A Nurse Mentor has exceptional clinical
skills, is certified in his/her area of specialty, actively participates
in performance improvement, is a role model for other staff members and
engages in community activities. The Nurse Mentor is the best of the best.