The NCAP Program recognizes various levels (Level I - Level VI) of clinical nursing practice that are reflective of Patricia Benner's model of skill acquisition.
Benner identifies the five levels of nursing experience as: novice; advanced beginner; competent; proficient and expert. The novice relies on rules rather than principles which are independent of situations.
The advanced beginner may have enough real experience to begin to formulate principles.
THR considers the graduate nurse as a novice or advanced beginner nurse. For the purposes of NCAP the graduate nurse is a Level I nurse.
The Level II nurse is the competent nurse who meets expectations outlined in the baseline job description. Upon hire, direct care nurses at THR are considered Level II nurses.
THR nurses are recognized for their career and professional achievements by advancement to additional levels of III-VI. Each level requires meeting defined criteria and completing development activities in
three different categories: Clinical, Educational, and Professional.
This packet should serve as the primary resource for the documentation required to achieve, maintain or advance within the program recognition levels. The criteria grid outlines detailed activity requirements for each recognition level. You will find descriptions of these activities on the following pages. Please pay close attention to the items outlined in the “Submit” column.
Congratulations on taking the NCAP journey!
THR NCAP Process
-
Review the NCAP information found on the THR intranet site.
- Search “NCAP” on the THR intranet site and Click “NCAP Nursing Career Advancement” or from the THR homepage choose Quick Link Nursing Resource Center, NCAP.
- Be sure to schedule a meeting with your educator, nurse manager, or NCAP coach.
-
The nurse declares his/her intent to participate in the nursing career development path by submitting:
- NCAP Application form and
- Portfolio Planning form to their nurse manager
- The Nurse Manager/Director/Designee meets with the RN and verifies the eligibility to participate:
- Job code/position eligible
- Benefits eligible
- Six months of employment at Texas Health
- Tenure begins once the RN is an independent practitioner, or after 18 weeks for Versant® Residents.
- Highest nursing degree/degree held.
- Hours of experience
- No disciplinary action in the past 6 months.
- Two (2) of three (3) favorable peer assessments
- Three (3) peer assessments done by staff nurses who have a close working relationship with the applicant are required. The nurse manager chooses two of the peers and the applicant may choose one.
- Two (2) of three (3) peer assessments must be “favorable.” Favorable is defined as an average score of three for all items on the Peer Assessment Form.
- The completed peer evaluations should be kept in the applicant’s file and should NOT be included in the portfolio submission.
- Compiling and submitting required documentation in an organized manner is the responsibility of the nurse. THR NCAP requires that all level V/VI portfolios be typed upon submission to the local entity committee.
- For an initial NCAP portfolio, there is no minimum amount of time required from the date of endorsement before the RN can submit the final portfolio to the ERB. However, the nurse has a maximum of two years to complete activities, compile the portfolio, and submit it to the ERB. For renewal applications, it is encouraged to present portfolio to the ERB during the twenty third month to prevent lapse in compensation.