DOVER-FOXCROFT - Twelve Mayo Regional Hospital nurses submitted portfolios as part of the application process for the hospital's new clinical ladder system. After review of those portfolios, the following nurses have been promoted to the indicated level, effective Feb. 3.
Clinical Nurse II -- Valerie Philpot, RN, Intensive Care Unit nurse manager; and Lori Towne, RN, Emergency Department.
Clinical Nurse I -- Diane Dill, RN, house supervisor; Elizabeth Donaghy, RN, Surgical Services; Christine Durham, RN, ICU; Andrea Green, RN, house supervisor; Bernice Jenkins, RN, Obstetrics; Nicole Kane, RN, Surgical Services; Misty Lang, RN, house supervisor; Kim Mason, RN, ED and ICU; Susan McKinley, RN, ICU; and Lisa Murray, RN, ICU and Oncology.
All 12 nurses have achieved this status for one year, and must re-apply next December. Applications for the nursing clinical ladder are reviewed twice annually, on June 30 and Dec. 30.
The clinical ladder program was developed by Mayo's nursing managers and supervisors, and establishes pre-requisites, education standards, job performance and leadership criteria for each step up to clinical nurse I, II and III. Nurses reaching a step on the ladder earn hourly wage increases.
Lynne Gagnon BSN, MS, CPHQ, Mayo's Director of Patient Care Services, said the process supports professional growth, continuing education and a commitment to the nursing profession. Nurses promoted up the ladder act as role models for other nursing staff.
As part of the job performance criteria, nurses on the clinical ladder are required to complete pre-approved projects on their unit or hospitalwide. Current project examples include implementation of OR outpatient discharge instructions, revision of the nursing orientation process, review and revision of policies/procedures, and management of the ED's drug abuse network database.