Nurse Professional Development & Pathways

Clinical Practice Pathway

All new IU Health clinical nurses start out on a Clinical Practice Pathway. This pathway encompasses approximately the first one to two years of practice as you become acclimated to the patient population on your unit/department and the culture of IU Health. The Clinical Practice Pathway provides you with a variety of professional development and growth opportunities to begin your journey in cultivating the IU Health Nurse Attributes.

Development Opportunities

Continue Education for BSN, MSN, or Doctorate

Attributes:

  • Embraces Learning

If you have questions about continuing your education or when you can apply for tuition reimbursement, please reach out to your department leader.


Next Steps

To learn more about Indiana nursing schools, please click on the following link:
Click Here

Investigate Certification Requirements

Attributes:

  • Clinical Expertise
  • Embraces Learning

Investigate certification requirements for your area of nursing specialty and incorporate into your developmental plan. Some specialty certifications require continuing education (CE) credits and/or a certain number of clinical hours before you can take the test. This is the time to explore what your specialty certification requires and develop an action plan on your professional development plan to reach your goals.


Next Steps

IU Health participates in the following programs which can help you achieve certification:
ANCC(American Nurses Credentialing Cerner) Success Pays program
ONCC(Oncology Nursing Certification Corporation) FreeTake
AACN(American Association of Critical-Care Nurses) Certification Value Program BCEN (Board of Certification for Emergency Nurses) Yes You Can program

Reach out to your NPD practitioner for guidance and be sure to follow your local/facility certification policies.

Unit specialty courses

Attributes:

  • Clinical Expertise
  • Embraces Learning
  • Spirit of Inquiry
  • Professionally Engaged
  • Fosters Relationships

You may have additional classes/educational offerings to take based on the patient population of your unit/department.


Next Steps

If you have questions about classes for your area, please reach out to your leader and/or educator.

Earn Certifications in American Heart Association(AHA) courses (BLS, ACLS, PALS, NRP)

Attributes:

  • Clinical Expertise
  • Embraces Learning

Some certified AHA courses are required for your unit/area and others may be optional.


Next Steps

If you have questions about AHA classes, please reach out to your unit leader and/or educator.

eLearning modules/opportunities

Attributes:

  • Clinical Expertise
  • Embraces Learning

Clinical nurses are assigned eLMS (electronic learning management system) modules upon hire. Please complete these modules by the assigned due date.


Next Steps

Reach out to your leader and/or educator for additional modules that may provide useful knowledge for your area and patient population. The attached list of education modules can be found in eLMS. You will earn continuing education credits for completing most of these modules.

Become a member in a professional nursing organization

Attributes:

  • Spirit of Inquiry
  • Professionally Engaged
  • Fosters Relationships

Clinical nurses join professional nursing organizations for many reasons. Some join to learn what's going on and to stay current in their field or specialty. Others want to network or enjoy the peer recognition that comes from being an active member of a major organization. Nurses may join a general organization, such as the American Nurses Association, a specialty group such as the Emergency Nurses Association, or a state nursing association—or one of each.


Next Steps

The link below provides links to local and national professional nursing organizations. Explore links related to your interests and nursing specialty to see which ones are right for you.

Nursing Associations

Research based opportunities

Attributes:

  • Spirit of Inquiry

Utilize evidence to improve patient care and create healthy environments. Do you have a question about clinical practice or the profession of nursing? You have access to a comprehensive medical library and experts across the IU Health system.


Next Steps

Reach out to your leader and/or educator to learn more. The following library link provides multiple nursing resources related to practice standards, research, Indiana Nursing Associations and other areas of interest.

Click Here

Self-reflection and journaling

Attributes:

  • Embraces Learning

There are many benefits of self-reflection and journaling included in literature. Purposeful reflection is a tool that helps nurses gain self-knowledge and insight.
(Palmer)


Next Steps

Read this article to learn more. Access the Performance Management system and write down reflections using the “Journal” tab.

Oelofsen N (2012) Using reflective practice in frontline nursing. Nursing Times; 108: 24, 22-24.