Professional Development
For new and experienced nurses, ongoing professional development ensures
expertise and knowledge of specialty standards, and translates to improved
patient safety and clinical outcomes. Nurses at Salinas Valley Health
Medical Center are eligible to receive financial and schedule support
to pursue a bachelor’s degree in nursing (BSN) or higher. We encourage
professional board certification through onsite certification prep classes
and certification bonuses for up to two board certifications. We offer
a clinical ladder for advancement, a mentored evidenced-based practice
(EBP) program, the opportunity to engage in nursing research, succession
planning and mentoring programs, and many opportunities for clinical nurse-led
decision making via our professional governance structure.
Overview of Professional Development Opportunities at Salinas Valley Health
Medical Center
| Opportunity |
Resources/Support |
| Professional Governance |
- Clinical nurses are empowered to oversee practice, quality, competence,
and knowledge through the medical center’s professional governance structure
- Full-day professional governance leader orientation
- Computer classes available for chairs and members
- Council members are supported with time off their clinical schedule for
council work
|
| Magnet Champions |
- 1-2 per unit to help drive and enculturate Magnet® initiatives
- Bimonthly meetings
|
| BSN or Higher Degree Support |
- Tuition reimbursement
- Schedule support
- College/university affiliations including reduced fees or onsite classes
- Career/college days
- Professional development events
|
| Professional Board Certification Support |
- Certification/recertification bonus
-
On-site certification prep classes
- Fees paid for on-site courses plus paid time
- HealthStream® prep classes available
- Annual recognition event
|
| EBP Program |
- John Hopkins EBP (JHEBP) Model taught annually in 4-day cohort
- Introduction to EBP taught in the new graduate nurse residency program
- Advanced EBP skills development workshop
- Mentored EBP support
- Annual poster expo for showcasing quality improvement, EBP, and research
- Specialty-specific journal clubs
|
| Clinical Ladder Advancement |
- Clinical ladder advancement program for staff nurse II to staff nurse III
-
Based on Patricia Benner’s novice to expert theory and the Magnet Model©
- 6% pay increase
- Annual renewal, points-based system
|
| Transition to Practice Programs |
- Programs to support new graduates, new hires, or internal transfers to
a new unit or specialty
- Provides targeted unit-specific training with a preceptor
- New Graduate Nurse Residency Program PTAP® accredited with distinction by ANCC
|
| Mentoring Program |
- Nursing mentoring program guides nurses interested in learning a specific
skill or quality from a mentor chosen by the individual
|
| Succession Planning |
- Nursing succession planning available for progression to manager, director,
and executive roles
|
| Preceptor Classes |
- 6-hour preceptor workshop supports preceptor development and consistency
- Primary preceptors receive additional pay
|
| Charge Nurse Development |
- Courses to develop skills for charge nurse role
|
| Continuing Education |
-
Hours allotted for continuing education based on FTEs
- Hours may be eligible to convert to funds to attend a professional conference
- Specialty and unit-based training designed to enhance professional nursing knowledge
|
| Professional Organization Membership Dues Reimbursement |
- Professional governance chairs, co-chairs, advisors, and individuals on
council who are responsible for quarterly professional guideline/literature
review are eligible for professional organization’s dues reimbursement
each fiscal year
|
| Local Professional Organization Meetings |
- American Association of Critical Care Nurses (AACN); Association of California
Nurse Leaders (ACNL); Association of Women’s Health, Obstetric,
and Neonatal Nurses (AWHONN); Emergency Nurses Association (ENA); Northern
California Association of Neonatal Nurses (NCANN); Oncology Nurses Society
(ONS); PeriAnesthesia Nurses Association of California (PANAC)
|
| Nursing Excellence Committee |
- Incident based peer review
|
| Peer Feedback |
- Peer Feedback classes
- Opportunity to become a Peer Feedback champion with additional training
|
| Scholarship Programs |
- Employee scholarship program available
- Nursing Innovation Fund offers up to $1000 for nurses to disseminate work
at professional conferences
|
