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Clinical Advancement Program at Upstate logo

What is the Clinical Advancement Program (CAP)?

CAP recognizes and rewards healthcare professionals for enhanced clinical and professional practice that aids in achieving optimal patient, unit/department, and organizational outcomes.

CAP is based on the theoretical framework of Dr. Patricia Benner’s From Novice to Expert, using the Dreyfus Model of Skill Acquisition. The focus of CAP is on Patient and Family Centered Care to provide optimal patient outcomes and to achieve our mission. The five essential values (Education, Professionalism, Resources, Collaboration, & Holistic Care) of our clinical practice at Upstate, and the forces of each value, contribute to the success of achieving our focus. This program is coordinated through the CAP Committee and the Professional Development System Council.

CAP is a voluntary program. Eligible staff need to apply for entrance into the program. There are several programs to choose from: CAP, N-CAP, U-CAP, and (coming soon) LPN-CAP!

Program Overviews

CAP (Clinical direct care)

Who is eligible for CAP?

State employed nurses, advanced practice registered nurse, nurse practitioner, or physician assistants who spend the majority (≥51%) of their time providing direct patient care. Direct patient care responsibilities are defined as patient centered activities by unit-based staff in the presence of the patient and activities that occur away from the patient that are patient related.

  • Professional & organizational growth
  • Role model professional collaboration & education advancement
  • Each level receives a professional development allowance
    • Level 3 - $200; Level 4 - $400; Level 5 - $600; Level 6 - $800; Level 7 - $1000
  • Badge extender with level

What professional elements are required at each level?

NOVICE:
CAP Level 3

Successful graduation from the Upstate Nurse Residency Program

Completed professional development plan

BEGINNER:
CAP Level 4

2 years’ experience with 1 at Upstate

Participates in organizational goals (Attend and participate in meetings, rounds, huddle, & training and can identify unit goals)

Example

COMPETENT:
CAP Level 5

3 years’ experience with 2 at Upstate

BSN degree or specialty certification

Active in achieving organizational goals
(ex. Attend and participate in meetings, rounds, huddle, & training and provide feedback; can identify unit goals & improvement plans)

Example

PROFICIENT:
CAP Level 6

5 years’ experience with 2 at Upstate

BSN degree and specialty certification OR MSN

Lead in achieving organizational goals (Leads meetings, rounds, huddles, & training; provides and analyzes data/feedback; can identify unit goals and create/lead improvement plans)

Active in community volunteerism and community professional development opportunities

Example

EXPERT:
CAP Level 7

5 years’ experience with 3 at Upstate

BSN degree and specialty certification OR MSN

Lead beyond the organization to achieve local and national health goals

Lead in community volunteerism and community professional development opportunities

Example

N-CAP (Non-direct care)

Who is eligible for N-CAP?

State employed nurses, advanced practice registered nurses, or physician assistants who hold non-clinical roles. Non-clinical roles are defined as those who are not providing direct patient care.

  • Professional & organizational growth
  • Role model professional collaboration & education advancement
  • Each level receives a professional development allowance
    • Level 4 - $400; Level 5 - $600; Level 6 - $800; Level 7 - $1000
  • Badge extender with level
  • Name in nursing publication & marketing materials

What professional elements are required at each level?

BEGINNER:
NCAP Level 4

2 years’ experience with 1 at Upstate

Participates in organizational goals

COMPETENT:
NCAP Level 5

3 years’ experience with 2 at Upstate

BSN degree or specialty certification

Active in achieving organizational goals

PROFICIENT:
NCAP Level 6

5 years’ experience with 2 at Upstate

BSN degree and specialty certification OR MSN

Lead in achieving organizational goals

EXPERT:
NCAP Level 7

5 years’ experience with 3 at Upstate

MSN degree and specialty certification OR doctorate

Lead beyond the organization to achieve local and national health goals

 

 

 

U-CAP (Unlicensed staff)

Who is eligible for U-CAP?

Unlicensed staff including Nursing Assistant 2 (HCT), Unit Support Technician (UST), Mental Health Therapy Aid (MHT), Medical Office Assistant (MOA), Anesthesia Associate, Anesthesia Specialist, Sterile supply tech 1 & 2, Sterile Processing Facilitator, Surgical Technologist, and Operating Room Assistant (SL2).

  • UCAP badge extender
  • Professional development allowance:
    • Level 1: $100; Level 2: $200
  • Upstate apparel item

What professional elements are required at each level?

COMPETENT:
UCAP Level 1


1 year (full-time or equivalent) experience in unlicensed nursing department role at Upstate

Participates in professional growth and development plan with one goal

PROFICIENT:
UCAP Level 2

2 years (full-time or equivalent) experience in unlicensed nursing department role at Upstate

Active in setting 2+ goals in professional development plan

Application Cycle

Application into the program is based on the applicants satisfactory 6-month or annual performance review. See below for the application cycle to best submit an application

Open Cycle 1
March 30th

New & Renewal Applications Due

April

Interview/ Renewal Review

May

Acceptance

February 28th
(Following Year)

Monies Expire

Open Cycle 2
September 30th

New & Renewal Applications Due

October

Interview/ Renewal Review

November

Acceptance

August 31st
(Following Year)

Monies Expire

Recognition

The Nursing Department is pleased to recognize its Clinical Advancement Program designated professionals. They are awarded a CAP badge extender and have an annual allowance to be used towards professional development activities (attending conferences, buying textbooks or exam preparation books, purchasing professional development activities for themselves or their unit).

Examples of purchases: heart models for new orientation in the Heart and Vascular Lab, materials for a skin/skills fair for a unit, or professional development activities for a unit.

CAP Awardees

Clinical Advancement Program (CAP) designated nurses make a significant impact towards achieving our mission.  These nurses are role models and leaders in providing patient and family centered care using our nursing values (Professionalism, Education, Collaboration, Resources, and Holistic Care).

Through the professional development allowance these nurses are persistent on working to achieve unit and organization goals.  Allowances are used to advance education, attend local and national conferences, provide resources for education, and more.

List of current CAP Designated Nurses to come!

Utilizing CAP Funds

The Nursing Department is pleased to recognize its Clinical Advancement Program designated professionals.  They are awarded a CAP badge extender and have an annual allowance to be used toward professional developmental activities which might include attending conferences and classes, buying books and joining professional organizations.

Guidelines for Utilizing CAP Funds

Prior to utilizing your professional development allowance, we recommend that you review these guidelines to ensure there is no delay in processing your request.  Call or email in advance for advisement on the best plan to utilize your CAP funds.

Request Form

If you are requesting use of your professional development allowance, a request form must be submitted along with any supporting documentation.

Send requests to Siobhan Keough and Samantha Edinger

Interoffice mail: UH Room 1212,  Email: Keoughs@upstate.edu;edingers@upstate.edu

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