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  • OSF Advance Career Ladder Program

OSF Advance Career Ladder Program

At OSF HealthCare, we recognize and reward nursing excellence through the OSF RN and LPN Career Ladder Programs. These programs invest in nurses by acknowledging their contributions, supporting professional development and offering structured career progression.

The program includes the full scope of professional nursing practice in the four domains of nurse as leader, nurse as practitioner, nurse as transferor of knowledge and nurse as scientist.

OSF RN Career Ladder Program

Designed for registered nurses (RNs) providing direct patient care at least 51% of the time in person or virtually, the OSF RN Career Ladder Program follows Patricia Benner’s “Novice to Expert” professional nursing development model.

Professional Growth Stages

Novice to Advanced Beginner (Clinical Nurse I)

  • After graduating nursing school, you start as a novice and progress to an advanced beginner.
  • At this level, you demonstrate concrete thinking and focus on individual aspects of patient care rather than the holistic patient condition.
  • During the first year, you participate in the Nurse Residency Program with educational content in your area of focus.
  • Experienced nurses complete a 90-day probation period.

Competent Stage (Clinical Nurse II)

  • In this stage, you expand your knowledge and begin independent practice with support from nurses with greater experience.
  • To become a Clinical Nurse II, you must complete 12 or more credits in two of four nursing domains and graduate the Nurse Residency Program or complete the 90-day probationary period.

Proficient Stage (Clinical Nurse III)

  • After caring for the same patient population for 18-24 months, you may enter the Proficient stage. 
  • In this stage, you become an independent caregiver with the ability to make sound decisions and serve as a resource to other nurses.
  • A BSN or higher degree OR evidence of an associate’s degree or diploma in nursing AND > 20 years of employment as a clinical nurse as well as an accredited or OSF approved national certification in your specialty area are required.
  • Completion of 20 or more credits in three of four nursing domains is required.
     

Expert Level (Clinical Nurse IV)

  • After completing an MSN or higher degree, you may advance to the Expert stage.
  • In this stage, you provide intuitive care based on extensive experience.
  • Evidence of an accredited or OSF approved national certification, evidence of membership in a professional nursing organization, and 30 or more credits from all four nursing domains are required.

Advanced Expert Level (Clinical Nurse V)

  • After completing a DNP or PhD, you may advance to the Advanced Expert stage.
  • In this stage, you contribute to research and/or disseminate research findings through implementation of the evidence. Evidence of one research study (PhD) or translational research/EBP project (DNP) closed during the 12-month period or ongoing is required. 
  •  Evidence of an accredited or OSF approved national certification, evidence of membership in a professional nursing organization, and evidence of 30 or more credits from all four nursing domains are also required. 

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RN Career Levels and Pay Raises

Level Requirements Pay Increase
CN I 
  • Entry-level RNs with associate, diploma or BSN degree
  • Enrolled in the Nurse Residency Program or within 90-day probationary period
  • Nurses not wishing or able to advance within the ladder program
 Baseline 
CN II 
  • Has associate, diploma or BSN degree
  • Completion of Nurse Residency program or probationary period
  • Has completed 12-19 approved credits from at least two of the four domains
 5% pay raise over baseline
CN III
  • Has a BSN or an associate’s degree or diploma in nursing plus 20 or more years of employment as a clinical nurse.
  • Holds an accredited or OSF-approved national certification in area of specialty
  • Has completed 20-29 approved credits from at least three of the four domains
 10% pay raise over baseline
CN IV
  • Has an MSN or higher degree in nursing
  • Holds an accredited or OSF-approved national certification in area of specialty
  • Is a member of a professional nursing organization
  • Has completed 30 or more approved credits from all four domains 
 15 pay raise over baseline
CN V 
  • Has a DNP or PhD in nursing
  • Holds an accredited national certification in area of specialty
  • Is a member of a professional nursing organization
  • Has completed 30 or more approved credits from all four domains
 20% pay raise over baseline 

OSF LPN Career Ladder Program 

The OSF LPN Career Ladder Program supports licensed practical nurses (LPNs) providing direct patient care in person or virtually and follows the same “Novice to Expert” framework. 

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