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Professional Advancement

“We believe in growing our own,” says Deborah Kopacz, RN, BSN, a clinical recruiter for the system.

“Staff development and continuing education are important priorities for us as we help our nurses be the best clinicians they can be.”

Certification Programs

Catholic Health supports the ongoing education of our associates as they attain specialty credentialing in areas such as rehabilitation, geriatrics, and wound care to name a few.

Among the certifications our nurses pursue are:

• Cardiovascular Certification
• Orthopedic Certification
• Gerontological Nurse Certification
• Certified Rehabilitation Registered Nurse
• National Alliance of Wound Care Certification
• Critical Care Certification
• Medical Surgical Nursing Certification

RN to BS in Nursing Program

Registered nurses at Catholic Health may participate in our RN to BS in Nursing Program in which students earn a BS in Nursing through a series of courses held at Catholic Health over a thirty month period. Catholic Health will pay tuition costs, and provide a laptop and fees for books. Graduates must commit to work as an RN for the equivalent of three years full time (5,850 hours) beginning at the completion of the program.

New hires must complete the probation period before enrolling.

Click here to find out how you can earn your BSN through Catholic Health.

Access to Internationally-Known Practitioners

In support of our “person-centered” approach to care – care driven by the needs of the patient – we identify specialty needs to best serve the Western New York region and invite internationally-known practitioners to speak to our staff. These speaking engagements raise our staff’s level of expertise and enable us to grow and improve our programs to better meet the community’s needs.

Nurse Mentor Program

Catholic Health’s RN Mentor Program expands upon an already-comprehensive orientation program by providing support and resources to graduate nurses during their first year of role transition.

Each newly-hired nurse is offered the opportunity to connect with a seasoned nurse. Through regular, self-arranged meetings, the nurses casually meet and discuss issues that are important to their career development. Mentors often offer insight as to what has helped them become successful nurses at Catholic Health.

“Nursing can be a very stressful and demanding career. It is important that we provide the new grad with the support necessary to overcome these challenges. Here at Catholic Health, our mentor program really tries to focus on the needs of the new nurse,” says Daynell Rowell RN, MSN, Catholic Health’s RN Mentor Coordinator.

Clinical Nursing Ladders Program

Our Clinical Ladder Program is designed to recognize full-time and part-time Registered Nurses working in our long-term care facilities. Through this voluntary program, nurses who strive for clinical excellence and demonstrate professional growth are eligible for salary increases and promotions.

Supplemental pay is awarded through an annual application process in which candidates submit a portfolio containing documentation of their accomplishments.

The program consists of four levels with the following pay values:

• Level I – Base Salary
• Level II – approx. 3% Midpoint of Labor Grade
• Level III– approx .7.5% Midpoint of Labor Grade
• Level IV – approx. 15% Midpoint of Labor Grade

Nurses must be employed at Catholic Health for at least six months before they are eligible for promotion.

Catholic Health University

Through Catholic Health’s university program, Catholic Health nurses have the opportunity to participate in continuing education classes. These sessions cover a variety of topics, such as:

• Medical Surgical Nursing Certification
• Critical Care Nurse Certification Prep
• Charge Nursing and Leadership Skills
• Care of Neurological Patients
• Oncology 101

Employees can register for classes by contacting their Nurse Managers.

Computer Essentials for Clinicians

Do you feel like the computer is slowing you down on the job? Do you feel like you spend more time on the computer than with your patients? If so, then this class is for you!

Catholic Health has collaborated with Trocaire College to offer courses that cover:

• Computer network, software concepts and security issues
• Proficiency in Microsoft Windows operation
• Proficiency in word processing
• Data organization techniques on your computer
• Relevant websites and applications

Classes generally meet once each week over the course of a one-week period.

Associates can register for classes by downloading the registration form on the Catholic Health intranet.