Cathy Fenton, RN, BSN, CNOR
The Nurse Professional Development Program (NPDP) was initiated in June, 2007, at Memorial Hospital, Belleville, IL. This program was instituted to recognize and reward participate in hospital/departmental committee(s), instructor(s), i.e., CPR, ACLS, etc., continuing/formal education, and national certification(s). Additional opportunities for participation in the NPDP are teaching/precepting, leadership in nursing practice, scientific investigate (research) and professional/community outreach activities.
The NPDP is a voluntary program offered to Registered Nurses and Licensed Practical Nurses whose primary role provides direct patient care. Participating nurse must have one-year clinical experience and not have received progressive/frequent corrective action within the past 12 months. Nurses who receive written progressive disciplinary action may be removed from the NPNP. Applicants must fulfill a minimum of categories to be eligible for participation in program.
This program has established a steering committee to review this program and the “portfolio” yearly. The NPDP paperwork consists of an Application/Contract, a Pre-Survey for the first-time applicants, and Post-Survey for participants. Additional supporting papers are the Community Reflection Form and Continuing Education Tracking Sheet. These supporting forms/sheets help to validate achievement of set criteria. Each participant’s portfolio is a 12 page reflection of each nurse’s professional excellence and career growth.
Approved applicants employed at Memorial have submitted a portfolio for the past two years and are currently working on this year’s submission. The portfolio year extends from June 1 though June 1. The portfolio is divided into nine categories. Categories have a specific amount of points assigned. The maximum number of points accrued each year is 1050. A monetary amount is assigned to each point. The NPDP steering committee will review each portfolio and determine final points based upon completion of the portfolio.
All qualifying nurses are encouraged to submit an application throughout the year by June 1. Two months before the next application is required to be turned in, a letter is sent to each nurse as a reminder. In addition to the letter, intradepartmental e-mails are sent to remind nurses to apply for the next year. Current eligible applicants are reminded to work on their portfolio and turn in early to their steering committee representative(s) for review.
The NPDP encourages and promotes staff nurses to participate on hospital councils or unit-based committees, develop and implement new practices and seize the opportunities for career growth and development. This program exemplifies the commitment this institute demonstrates to retain experienced, exceptional nurses as reflected in each nurse’s portfolio and recruitment of future nursing employees. Each year the goal is to promote a larger percentage of participating nurses and we have accomplished this goal.
The submission of each portfolio celebrates staff nurses’ commitment, professionalism, and achievement of nursing excellence.
