Southwest General Nursing Clinical Ladder

The Southwest General Professional Practice Council is pleased to present a refreshed Clinical Ladder Program that will continue to provide the opportunity for bedside nurses to advance in the field of nursing.

Nurses who take pride in their profession desire to gain knowledge and influence the direction of the discipline of nursing. As we face the challenges in the health care environment, it is imperative that we stay current with evolving technologies, research, and best practice models. The Clinical Ladder is a tool to assist nurses to grow professionally and deliver optimal care to our patients.

Nurses who participate in the clinical ladder exhibit an ongoing commitment to promoting and improving the nursing profession and practice at Southwest General and within the communities we serve. Each nurse exhibits nursing's core characteristics of leadership, being outcome oriented, a patient advocate, collaborative and utilizing professional knowledge.

SWGH Nursing Mission: Providing compassionate care for a lifetime

SWGH Nursing Core Values: Quality, Patient Centered, Compassion, Evidence Based, Integrity

SWGH Nursing Core Characteristics: Use of Professional Knowledge, Leadership, Outcome Oriented, Advocate, Collaborative

A Southwest Nurse:

• Possesses professional knowledge when she/he has the ability to process and utilize the scientific expertise of nursing based on experience, known information and current principles
• Has leadership when she/he has the ability to develop and guide others through respect, inspiration, influence, critical thinking and skillful communication
• Is outcome oriented to achieve quality, cost effective and ethical outcomes in the delivery of health care for individuals, families and the community
• Is an advocate that respects the individual, fosters diversity, promotes community, cultivates life-long learning and makes excellence imperative while supporting patients and promoting their well-being
• Is collaborative sharing knowledge, learning and coaching each other to create a trust while working together to achieve a shared goal

Graduate Nurse Residency Program (GNRP)

Congratulations on your recent graduation from nursing school! A wonderful world of opportunities are waiting for you as you enter the workforce and begin to put to use the information and skills you have mastered through your studies.

Southwest General is excited to help new nurse RNs through the transition from student to employed caregiver through its Graduate Nurse Residency Program (GNRP). Having a structured environment in which to launch your career will only support, enhance and reinforce your new professional experience!

What is the GNRP? The GNRP is a free, 12-month program based on a rolling calendar. All new graduate RNs will sharpen their caregiving practices through the support of a preceptor/mentor, cognitive exercises and skill labs. This experience is designed to bridge the gap between academia and the workplace by providing a structured environment to develop knowledge of internal processes, skill, professionalism and to increase critical thinking. The program will help to reduce transition stress and increase job satisfaction.

Who is eligible for the nurse residency program? All new graduate registered nurses (one year or less work experience) who become employees of Southwest General will automatically be enrolled in the GNRP.

What are the benefits of the program?

• Smooth transition to practice
• Clinical support
• Individualized attention to accommodate all levels of expertise
• Timely feedback
• Develop critical thinking skills

• Small-group, shared learning environment
• Opportunity for professional development
• Build stress management skills
• Quarterly continuing education

Do I need to apply specifically for the GNRP before applying for a job at Southwest? No. Simply apply for an RN position. Those who are hired and meet eligibility criteria for the GNRP will automatically be enrolled during Clinical Orientation.

RN to BSN Opportunity

Providing opportunities for professional growth and advancement is a priority for hospital. Nurses at Southwest have the chance to earn their BSN at little to no cost! Southwest and The Ashland University College of Nursing and Health Sciences partnered to establish an RN to BSN partnership to provide an opportunity for qualified Southwest Registered Nurses to complete their BSN degrees through Ashland's RN to BSN program.

Vision of the Partnership
Our goal is to create a dynamic and sustained university‐employer partnership that will promote the continuing education of Southwest employees and foster practice environments that embrace lifelong learning.

Mission
The mission of this partnership is to prepare clinicians to meet the demands placed on today's nurse in order to provide an exceptional patient experience with matched quality outcomes. BSN nurses are recognized for their skills in critical thinking, leadership, case management, and health promotion, and for their ability to practice across a variety of inpatient and outpatient settings.