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Nurses: Center for Nursing Excellence
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Professional Development

As soon as you graduate nursing school, you begin your professional development journey. This includes advancing your education, achieving national certification, and expanding your knowledge and skills for caring for your specialized patient population through membership in a Professional Nursing Organization. The Center for Nursing Excellence provides the support you need on your professional development journey. Check out the information below on ways you can develop yourself professionally.

Important Links

National Certification

Applications for reimbursement

Learn more

RN IV and RN V

Expert nurses in their designated specialty

Learn more

Clinical Ladder

UAMS uses the clinical ladder for Annual Performance Appraisals

Learn about our Clinical Ladder

RN to BSN

UALR program for UAMS Nurses (Internal to UAMS)

RN to BSN

Clinical Ladder

The UAMS Nurses Clinical Ladder provides a framework for the nurse on a professional journey. This program describes the roles and competency expectations within each practice level (i.e., RN NG, RN I, RN II, RN III, RN IV and RN V). The basis for progression of the clinical and leadership expectations in the performance appraisal documents are based upon “Benner’s Model” which delineates the nurse’s career path from novice to expert.

Advanced Degrees

Click the links to find out more information on the nursing degree programs offered at UAMS.

  • RN to BSN
  • MSNc
  • DNP
  • PhD

National Certifications

National certification is a mark of excellence based on rigorous national standards that validate a nurse’s specialty knowledge, skills, and clinical judgement. Achieving national certification shows true dedication and commitment to delivering high-quality care to your patients and advancing your professional nursing career.

Visit these common credentialing bodies for more information about becoming certified in your specialty:

  • American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC)
  • American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN)
  • National Certification Corporation (NCC) (obstetrical and neonatal certifications)
  • Board Certification for Emergency Nursing (BCEN)
  • Oncology Nursing Certification Corporation (ONCC)
  • Medical-Surgical Nursing Certification Board (MSNCB)
  • American Academy of Ambulatory Care Nursing (AAACN)
  • Competency & Credentialing Institute (CCI) (perioperative certifications)

Join Your Professional Organization

Joining a Professional Nursing Organization can enhance your profession, expand your knowledge and expertise, and give you access to resources important to your specialty. Most professional nursing organizations offer access to peer-reviewed journals and free CEUs to members. Check out the resources below!

  • Why Join A Professional Nursing Organizations (Web article)

Common Professional Nursing Organizations

All Nurses

  • American Nurses Association (ANA)
  • ANA – Redefining Nursing – Reaffirming Our Practice (1.0 CEU, free webinar)
  • Arkansas Nurses Association (ARNA)

Ambulatory Nurses

  • American Academy of Ambulatory Care Nursing (AAACN)

LPNs

  • National Association of Licensed Practical Nurses (NALPN)

Cardiac Nursing

  • American Association of Heart Failure Nurses (AAHFN)
  • Alliance of Cardiovascular Professionals (ACVP)
  • Preventative Cardiovascular Nurses Association (PCNA)

Critical Care Nursing

  • American Association of Critical Care Nurses (AACN)

ENT Nursing

  • Society of Otorhinolaryngology and Head/Neck Nurses (SOHNN)

Gastroenterology Nursing

  • Society of Gastroenterology Nurses and Associates (SGNA)

MED/Surg Nursing

  • Academy of Medical-Surgical Nurses (AMSN)

Neonatal Nursing

  • Academy of Neonatal Nursing (ANN)
  • National Association of Neonatal Nurses (NANN)
  • Local Chapter of National Association of Neonatal Nurses (ARANN)

Oncology Nursing

  • Oncology Nursing Society (ONS)

Opthalmic Nursing

  • American Society of Ophthalmic Registered Nurses (ASORN)

Transplant Health

  • International Transplant Nurses Society (ITNS)
  • The Organization for Donation and Transplant Professionals (NATCO)
  • Leadership & Engaged Learning in Organ Donation & Transplantation (The Alliance)

Urologic Health

  • Society of Urologic Nurses and Associates (SUNA)

Vascular Health

  • Society for Vascular Nursing (SVN)

Women’s Health

  • Association of Women’s Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses (AWHONN)
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