Career Mapping for Professional Development and Succession Planning

Area of Science:

• Nursing Professional Development
• Healthcare Management
• Human Resources in Healthcare

Background:

• Professional development is crucial for nurses, requiring structured guidance.
• Existing frameworks often lack specific career progression pathways.
• Organizations need strategic tools for talent management and succession planning.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the development, implementation, and evaluation of a professional career map for nurses.
• To align the career map with national Nursing Professional Development Scope and Standards.
• To support organizational strategic goals for nursing succession planning and professional growth.

Main Methods:

• Development of a comprehensive education and professional development framework.
• Integration of the framework with the organization's professional practice model.
• Implementation and evaluation of the professional career map at a large children's hospital.

Main Results:

• The professional career map was successfully developed and implemented.
• The framework provided a foundation for nurses' career progression.
• The initiative contributed to achieving strategic goals for succession planning.

Conclusions:

• A structured professional career map is an effective tool for enhancing nursing professional development.
• Career mapping supports organizational strategic objectives, including succession planning.
• This model can be adapted by other healthcare organizations seeking to advance their nursing workforce.