Professional Growth & Development

Eskenazi Health is committed to a dynamic program supporting nursing professional development and clinical advancement, thereby contributing to a quality nursing workforce and attaining improved patient outcomes. The Clinical Advancement to Recognize Excellence (C.A.R.E.) Program recognizes and rewards role distinction among registered nurses providing direct patient care. Based on the characteristics of the Synergy Model of Nursing Care, the program considers experience, clinical judgment, continuing education, systems thinking, facilitation of learning, performance improvement, collaboration, patient advocacy and clinical inquiry in its recognition process. 

Program objectives:

• Create a dynamic learning environment that promotes individual accountability and responsibility.
• Define performance standards that serve as guidelines for the evaluation of nursing practice.
• Recognize and reward clinical nursing expertise in patient/client care activities.
• Encourage professional self-development and clinical nursing advancement.
• Promote retention and recruitment of the brightest and best registered nurses at the bedside.

Eskenazi Health appreciates the significant investment nurses make in their careers. To support their investment in education, Eskenazi Health offers assistance with:

• Continuing education courses
• Tuition reimbursement for bachelor's and master's degrees and approved nurse practitioner programs
• Specialty certifications (successful completion of nursing certification from the American Nurses Credential Center and specialty-specific professional organizations) 
• Courses and certifications offered: American Red Cross ALS, BLS, PALS; Neonatal Resuscitation Program® (NRP); AWHONN Fetal Monitoring; The S.T.A.B.L.E Program, NIHSS Stroke Scale Certification; ENA TNCC and ENPC; TCAR (Trauma Care After Resuscitation)

Eskenazi Health offers many opportunities for nurses across the system to participate in our shared governance structure for nursing. Shared governance councils range from unit-based to hospital-based councils to promote and empower nurses to be part of their professional practice and decision-making from the cornerstones of partnership, equity, accountability and ownership. This includes standards of practice, policies and procedures, technology, evidence-based practice and research, and nursing quality and performance improvement.

A high-fidelity simulation lab with a dedicated debriefing room for training and education is available for nursing staff use. Simulation operators are trained to assist with operationalizing simulation scenarios to provide safe and effective learning for the clinicians in patient care environments. 

Eskenazi Health nurses are active in professional organizations at a local, state and national level. They hold positions in over 20 organizations and are involved in committees contributing to knowledge, policy, advocacy and advancement of nursing. These include but are not limited to:

• Nursing schools and academic boards
• Indiana State Nursing Association
• Indiana Center for Nursing
• Indianapolis Coalition for Patient Safety
• Indiana Hospital Association
• Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology Indiana
• American Burn Association
• American Association of Critical-Care Nurses
• American Academy of Nursing 
• Association of Women's Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses
• Intermountain Nursing Professional Development
• Emergency Nurses Association