Texas Health leaders recently honored hundreds of nurses who participate in the Nursing Career Advancement Program, otherwise known as NCAP, at a special banquet.
NCAP helps Texas Health nurses who perform direct patient care stay at the bedside while also advancing their careers through participation in shared governance, research and the promotion of evidence-based practice. NCAP nurses – Levels III through VI – benefit, not only from increased recognition and financial rewards, but also the opportunity to share their skills, stories and passions from their every day care. The program also helps recognize the various knowledge and skill levels of nurses.
“Part of Texas Health’s high reliability journey and Our Texas Health PromiseSM is a commitment to ourselves and our patients to continually learn and improve,” said Joan Clark, D.N.P., R.N., NEA-BC, CENP, FACHE, FAAN, executive vice president and Texas Health’s chief nurse executive. “Patients trust us to care for them – and they trust that we are practicing at the top of our competencies. Over the last seven years, we’ve seen steady growth in the NCAP program, and we look forward to increased participation in the years to come.”
When the program first launched in 2010, only 300 nurses participated in NCAP. Last year, more than 1,200 nurses participated!
In the last seven years, there has been a significant growth in the number of Level IV nurses, the largest group of NCAP nurses, who are considered clinical experts focused on patient outcomes and use evidence-based practice, innovation, and creativity when solving problems. In 2010, there were 181 Level IV nurses. In 2017, there were more than 700.
Texas Health also has seven Level VI nurses, the highest level of NCAP, who serve as leaders in evidence-based practice or IRB-approved research projects. These nurses are described as virtuoso and are seen as established in the art of nursing. They influence the practices that improve outcomes through role modeling in the hospital and community setting. Watch this video about Texas Health’s Level VI nurses.
“It’s always impressive to see nurses take the time to look ahead toward the next stop on their journey – whether it is going for the next academic degree, mastering a specific area of nursing or seeking to improve your skills and abilities along the way,” Joan said. “Our NCAP nurses’ contributions through professional and clinical activities are helping bring forward new and invaluable ideas, techniques and enhancements in the way we deliver patient care.”
Congratulations to all nurses who participate in NCAP!
Meet a few of our RNs in our NCAP Spotlight: Kathy and Susanna
