Organization Size
Vanderbilt
University Hospital (658 beds)
Monroe Carell, Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt (206 beds)
Psychiatric
Hospital at Vanderbilt (88 beds)
Program/Initiative Description
The Vanderbilt Professional Nursing Practice
Program (VPNPP) is a performance-based career advancement system that
recognizes and rewards the application of clinical nursing expertise in direct
patient care.
Establishment of Program/Initiative
Program originated in the early 1980s; program
revised 2000.
Workforce
Problem the Program/Initiative Was Designed to Address
Professional development of staff coupled with a high standard or
nursing practice and quality patient care.
Major Objectives
The goals of Vanderbilt Professional Nurse Practice
Program:
1.
To attract and retain clinical nurses
2.
To build a performance development system that
promotes, supports, recognizes and rewards RNs in direct patient care by:
o
Clearly defining expectations of job requirements
for each of four RN job descriptions
o
Challenging the status quo
o
Accurately and objectively measuring performance
o
Highlighting strengths and targeting areas for
professional growth
o
Maintaining focus on developing nurses and
supporting their continuous growth
3.
Positioning Vanderbilt to be the "employer of
choice" in the community
4.
Rewarding nursing performance in accordance with
expertise and contribution to the team, work area and organization
5.
Providing opportunities for promotion for nurses
who practice direct patient care
6.
Achieving consistent nursing performance standards
and pay equity across the clinical enterprise
Significant Results
The nurses have a well-developed practice framework that supports
their professional development and subsequently raises the bar for the overall
nursing practice environment.
Limitations or Problems Encountered
Significant time was spent developing the overall program and
accompanying job descriptions based on University of California-San Francisco Professor Patricia Benner’s
novice-to-expert model. Staff nurse participation in program development is
essential.
Other limitations are that not all nurses will want to participate.
Estimated Cost of Program to Date
Unavailable.
Advice to
Other Organizations That May Want to Start a Similar Program
Use a very collaborative approach with staff, managers and key leaders
in the organization during the development phase. Support from the chief
nursing officer is essential.
Contact Name: Becky Keck, MSN, RN
Title: Assistant Hospital Director
Telephone: (615)
343-8953
Fax: (615)
343-0440
Email address: becky.keck@vanderbilt.edu
More information about the VPNPP is available on the Internet at http://www.mc.vanderbilt.edu/root/vumc.php?site=vpnpp&doc=1038
A definitive article on the program was published in the Journal of Nursing Administration in
October 2003. Available through NursingCenter.com at http://www.nursingcenter.com/library/JournalArticle.asp?Article_ID=424812.
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