Evaluering av klinisk stige ved intensivseksjonen Rikshospitalet-Norge

• Published in: Vård i Norden 2014-03, Vol.34 (1), p.9-14
• Main Authors: Siv, K. Stafseth, Alfheim, Hanne B., Alpers, Lise-Merete, Austenå, Mona, Gjellum, Tove, Storsveen, Ann-Marie, Vårdal, Mari, Tøien, Mette
• Format: Article
• Language: Norwegian
• ISSN: 0107-4083; 2057-1593
• DOI: 10.1177/010740831403400104

Background: Clinical ladders are intended to support skills development for nurses in clinical work. Norwegian Nurses' Organization developed criteria for the clinical specialist in 1995 and Rikshospital implemented a clinical ladder in 1999. The program consists of three modules over five years. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to explore the nurses and nurseleaders' experiences with the program. Methods: The study was conducted in 2009 in six units at Rikshospitalet. Triangulation with an exploratory and descriptive design was used: a questionnaire survey with 134 respondents (response rate 55), focusgroup interviews of clinical specialists (15 informants) and group interviews with nurseleaders (10 informants) was performed. Results: Nurses' experiences showed that they spent significantly more time on professional development compared with those who did not participate in the program. 90 % of respondents replied that they had a personal and professional benefit from participating. Main findings from focus group interviews were the importance of time perspective in the learning process. Nurse leaders' experiences showed increased involvement, and that clinical ladder helped to retain nurses in the unit. Conclusions: Professional development with a clinical ladder has yielded positive results especially in units with more nurses participating. The clinical specialists use the expertise in their clinical work.