Nurse "levels"

[LVGates]

I am looking for a new job in a different state. Although I've seen this terminology before, my current hospital doesn't refer to their RN's according to Level I, II, or III. What does this mean? I don't want to apply for a job that I am under-qualified for. Thanks for your help.

[RNsharkinaj]

At the hospital I work at it refers to years of experience and education. Level 1 is a new grad, until about 6-12 months and then level II is started, and then I believe Level III is after five years of experience and a bunch of hospital projects, and/or committee work to obtain III or even level IV.

[llg, PhD, RN]

It varies from hospital to hospital. You will have to either find it on the hospital's website (in their discussions of their clinical ladder, in their job descriptions, etc.) or you will just have to come right out and ask them about it. (i.e. call their Recruitment Office)

[SilentMind]

I'm still doing the school thing. But I dated a nurse for a long time. I remember her showing me the requirements for the different levels, and it was a lot more then years on the job. You had to attend conferences and give presentations on material, you had to meet certain staff meeting requirements and a lot of other stuff. It was pretty in depth. From what I understood, I don't think it's an issue with being qualified. It was just a way to earn pay increases. So you'll start wherever as a level 1, and start working your way up.

But as others have mentioned, some hospitals just go by experience. So it may not even be an issue.

[SteffersRN87, BSN, RN]

We have a clinical advancement/ladder program. Clinical Nurse I is a new grad through their first year. Clinical Nurse II is someone who is competent and has at least one year of RN experience. Clinical Nurse III is a "bedside expert" who has a specialty certification and co-chairs a hospital committee.