Vision:

The vision of the Professional Nursing Organization (PNO) Resource Nurse Recognition Program (RNRP) is to promote clinical excellence and continuous growth of our professional nurses who provide direct patient care.

Mission:

UAMS Department of Nursing believes that improved patient outcomes is a result of highly skilled professional nurses who are self motivated to continue learning, empowered to improve nursing care quality and dedicated to furthering the nursing profession. In addition to the Clinical Ladder, which differentiates levels of Registered Nurse practice, the PNO Resource Nurse Recognition Program

addresses continued excellence by those nurses who remain in clinical positions delivering direct patient care.

Purposes of the PNO Resource Nurse Recognition Program are to:

• Acknowledge professional nurses who exemplify excellence in nursing practice through their individual contributions and talents.
• Reward professional nurses for their continual advancement and professional development as direct patient care providers
• Enhance recruitment and retention of professional nurses at UAMS
• Formally recognize professional nurses for expertise in clinical practice
• Support individual professional nurses’ contributions and talents in promotion of excellent nursing care for patients for their particular area/unit

Participants/Eligibility:

• All Clinical RN IIIs who have successfully completed their probation period are eligible to seek advancement through Resource Nurse Recognition Program.  Candidates must maintain competent  performance standards and last performance appraisal score of minimal of 291. 
• Candidates at the written stage of the disciplinary process in the past 12 months for performance issues are ineligible to participate in the program.
• All RN candidates must adhere to Code of Conduct and CARE Value policies at all times.
• RN candidates must be 0.6 FTE (Full time equivalent) or greater.
• Upon transfer to another unit/department, the participant’s eligibility to meet the Resource Nurse category’s criteria and to continue with participation in Recognition Program will be evaluated by Clinical Services Manager (CSM).

Application Requirements:

• Application checklist
• Last Performance Appraisal
• Résumé
• Candidate forms
  • Applicant’s Statement of Interest form
  • Self-Evaluation Form
• Two peer recommendations to include the following:
  • Peer Review Evaluation
  • Peer’s Letter of Support form

             *One peer is chosen by the candidate and the other is chosen by the manager

• CDF recommendation to include the following:
  • CDF/Charge Nurse Letter of Support Form
  • CDF/Charge Nurse Review Evaluation
• CSM  recommendation to include the following:           
  • Manager Endorsement Form
  • Manager Review Evaluation

RNRP Practice Process:

The Scope of Practice Council is the governing council overseeing and maintaining the integrity of the Resource Nurse Recognition Program.    Evaluation and revision of the program will be conducted annually by the Scope of Practice Council.

• The candidate decides which Resource Nurse Category he/she would like to pursue:

§         Infection Control Resource Nurse

§         Skin/Wound/Ostomy Resource Nurse

§         Diabetic Resource Nurse

• Candidate completes application packet and submits to the Scope of Practice       

      Council Chair in person. 

• Scope of Practice chair(s) will review packet for completion and assist the    

      candidate through the process.

• Application will be presented to the Scope of Practice Council.  
•  Scope of Practice Council will review application and make a decision to grant or   deny Resource Nurse Recognition status. 
• Scope of Practice Council chair will notify candidate of decision by letter within two weeks after review.
• If denied, Scope of Practice Council provides recommendation to the candidate how Resource Nurse status may be achieved.  Candidate will be permitted to resubmit application once revisions are made. 
• Upon approval, Scope of Practice Council will set the 6 month time frame for meeting the Resource Nurse criteria and receiving the monetary bonus.

Maintenance:

• All criteria of the Resource Nurse category must be met to remain in the PNO Recognition Program. Every 6 months, the Scope of Practice Council will review all information submitted to ensure that the Candidate is meeting all requirements and they will make the final decision regarding Candidate’s continuance in the Recognition Program based on information received. 
•  It is the responsibility of the staff nurse candidate to show evidence that the criteria are met every six months. Their completed packet is submitted to the Scope of Practice Chair one month prior to the renewal date.
• Upon meeting all Resource Nurse category criteria, Scope of Practice Council will approve the monetary bonus and communicate the decision to the CSM
• In the event that the candidate does not meet all Resource Nurse category criteria, Scope of Practice will notify candidate and candidate’s CSM and bonus will not be approved.
• If denied, the RN has the opportunity to appeal the Council.