APP CROSS: A Novel Scoring System to Evaluate Advanced Practice Provider Clinical Rotation Requests in Oncology

With the rapid growth of nurse practitioner (NP) and physician assistant (PA) programs nationwide, health systems face increasing demands for clinical rotations, particularly in specialized areas such as oncology. Baptist MD Anderson Cancer Center developed a standardized scoring system, the Advanced Practice Provider Clinical Rotation in Oncology Scoring System (APP CROSS), to address this challenge. This feasibility study assesses the implementation, practicality, and effectiveness of the APP CROSS in streamlining the evaluation and selection of APP clinical rotation candidates. The scoring system was designed to align with strategic health-system goals, such as stabilizing the workforce, community engagement, and enhancing quality care, using criteria that include system employment, prior rotations, oncology experience, personal statement quality, proximity to graduation, and preferred school enrollment. Scoring criteria include employment within the health system, previous rotations, oncology experience, quality of personal statements, proximity to graduation, and enrollment in preferred schools. While initially tailored for oncology, the tool's principles are generalizable. Early data suggest the APP CROSS promotes objective student selection, enhancing recruitment and retention potential. Future studies are warranted to assess long-term outcomes related to APP retention and preceptor satisfaction.