Nursing Network 2020

The spring issue of Nursing Network showcases the launch of the Professional Nursing Advancement Program.

Learn about the work of the Professional Nursing Advancement Committee. Ann Rapoport, MSN, RN, describes the journey of bringing an idea from the Nursing Department’s strategic planning process to fruition.

We also highlight clinical exemplars submitted as part of Professional Nursing Advancement Program portfolios from staff nurses who participated in the program.

Read more about the robust participation of McLean nurses at the most recent American Psychiatric Nursing Conference held in New Orleans. Eight nursing presentations hosted by eleven registered nurses represent the greatest number of participants ever from McLean.

The Professional Nursing Advancement Program
In the spring of 2017, the inpatient nurse directors and nurse managers were enjoying a routine Nurse Council meeting when Linda M. Flaherty, RN, PMHCNS-BC, senior vice president for Patient Care Services, surprised us with an announcement. As part of McLean Hospital’s seven-year strategic plan, the Nursing Department and Flaherty had been tasked with a challenge: How can the Nursing Department develop goals with action plans to meet those goals? In short order, we were introduced to the concept of SWOT.

Valuing McLean’s Professional Nurses
During the December 2020 Nurses’ Luncheon and Lecture, McLean’s Professional Nursing Advancement Program honored eight recipients of its tiered professional nursing categories. Six recipients received Tier 1, and two recipients received Tier 3. As part of the application process for Tier 1, the recipients provided a clinical exemplar essay to showcase their proficiency in assessing patient needs, planning, and implementing nursing interventions while utilizing therapeutic communications techniques. Tier 3 recipients’ exemplars depicted advanced practice and positive influence on patient outcomes.