Exemplary Professional Practice

Achieving exemplary professional practice is evidenced by providing effective and efficient care.

Our Professional Nurse Practice Model (PNPM) is the frame work that describes our practice, structure, values, collaboration, communication and professional development. The PNPM drives our nurses to achieve exemplary professional practice daily using evidence-based practice and professional standards.

Henry Ford Hospital (HFH) nurses partner with patients, families and interprofessional teams to positively impact lives every day. 

Growing professionally

PNAP

The Professional Nurse Advancement Program (PNAP) is the clinical ladder for registered nurses at Henry Ford Hospital (HFH). The program is voluntary and recognizes bedside nurses for professional development and contributions to improve patient care.

“PNAP is meant to foster professional growth and development and to also acknowledge nurses who go above and beyond their typical duties,” explains PNAP committee member Cathy Draus, DNP, ACNS-BC, clinical nurse specialist.

Since the program’s launch in 2016, participation has doubled with over 300 applicants in 2019. This increase was largely due to promoting professional advancement and making the program fully electronic through Survey Monkey Advanced. In previous years, PNAP was a paper process and nurses had to submit binder portfolios.

“Using Survey Monkey has made it easier to track applications and portfolio submissions,” says Draus. “In addition, portfolios are submitted faster since it’s online. It has been a learning curve for us all, but the results have outweighed any small bumps along the way.”

Nurses interested in PNAP must work a minimum of 20 hours a week and provide direct patient care for 50% of their work hours. The program has three levels, each with its own eligibility criteria which must be met prior to application. Once the nurse’s application is verified by their manager, they begin preparing their portfolios which include all required and optional activities and documentation.

The PNAP committee reviews all submitted portfolios to ensure all requirements are met. If all are met, the applicant is recognized in three ways: a monetary award, additional monies for professional conferences, books, journals, or professional organizations and paid conference days. These rewards vary at each level and increase as they move up the ladder.

Grow Your Own

In 2016, Dekeisha Campbell started her career at Henry Ford Hospital (HFH) as a housekeeper. Her goal was to grow professionally and move up within the hospital. Thanks to Henry Ford Health’s Grow Your Own Program, Campbell participated in the program’s first class and is now a nurse assistant (NA).

The Grow Your Own Program is aimed at encouraging non-clinical staff to pursue careers in healthcare through in-house training to become a nurse assistant. The program is led by Henry Ford nursing leaders and educators. It offers current employees, such as housekeepers and valet drivers, an opportunity to learn the necessary skills to begin work as a nurse assistant upon completion.

"The program gives employees the opportunity to obtain their nurse assistant education and start their career without having to miss work, struggle to balance school and work, or pay for the program," said Mary Kravutske, PhD, RN, Henry Ford Nursing Development Administrator.

Under the direction of a registered nurse, nurse assistants are responsible for performing specific patient care duties to meet the safety and comfort needs of patients. NA’s assist the nurse in providing patient care.

"The Grow Your Own program was very informative and prepared me to transfer into my new role as a nurse assistant," Campbell said.

In addition to providing necessary skills and guaranteed job placement upon completion, Grow Your Own sets employees up for success while taking the six-week course. With classroom and clinical training components, participants must pass both written and clinical skill exams before beginning as a nurse assistant. 

“The program is approximately 36-40 hours per week and offers fulltime benefits and compensation,” says Kravutske. “We want to set (our employees) up for success and help them grow professionally as they enter the healthcare industry.”

Next Section: New Knowledge Innovation and Improvements >>