Nursing leaders at Main Line Health are committed to the professional growth and advancement of its nursing staff. Whether new to the profession or seasoned professionals, Main Line Health nurses are encouraged to further their knowledge and training, develop new skills, and keep abreast of all the rapid and dynamic changes taking place in healthcare. We offer many opportunities to take on greater responsibilities and move on to leadership and management roles as their skills and experience develop.

Among our programs for professional development:

Clinical ladder program

This multi-level career advancement program nurtures and recognizes nurses' performance and progress as they move from the novice stages of their careers through to higher levels of proficiency. Nurses are evaluated and elevated based on their competence, clinical expertise, leadership abilities and role model behaviors.

The Clinical Ladder Program provides opportunity for both professional and clinical growth in nursing practice, above and beyond day-to-day nursing activities. The focus of this program is to advance professional nursing practice at Main Line Health and to continue to raise the standard of clinical excellence. Consistent bedside nursing excellence is the expectation of all nurses at Main Line Health. This is compensated annually through merit increases at the time of the performance appraisal.

Advancement in the Clinical Ladder Program is a voluntary and selective process designed to recognize and compensate those professionals who contribute more than routine clinical excellence; demonstrate a greater depth of clinical and leadership practice and assume additional responsibilities that benefit their areas of practice and impact positively on nursing and patient care at Main Line Hospitals.

Shared decision making council

This shared-decision making approach to problem-solving promotes unit and nursing excellence. There are six system councils with representation from bedside nurses, educators and leaders in the areas of:

  • Professional development
  • Clinical practice
  • Research and innovation
  • Management
  • Healthy work environment
  • Quality and safety

These councils report up through the Nursing Executive Council with representation of the chief nursing officer, nursing vice presidents and an elected unit council chair from each hospital. Each unit develops measurable, concrete goals/ground rules for their council that reflect the scope and needs of the unit. Main Line Health nurses regularly meet as a unit with a structured process to encourage individuals to contribute to the unit's activities and work environment, as well as to cultivate leadership, ownership and job satisfaction.

Continuing education

Main Line Health offers materials and assistance for nurses to get the Continuing Education Units (CEUs) to maintain their certification and licensure including classes, coursework, presentations and the ability to attend conferences and symposia.

Tuition reimbursement

Main Line Health nurses are encouraged to seek advanced academic degrees and certification through a generous tuition reimbursement package. Reimbursement is for tuition, certification, exam, or re-certification costs. Full-time benefits eligible employees will be reimbursed 100 percent of their eligible expenses up to $6,000 annually. Pro-rated reimbursement for part-time employees according to bi-weekly hours worked. Eligibility: following 90 days of service; authorized to work at least 32 hours per pay period.

Computer-based training

Main Line Health makes it easy for nurses to stay up-to-date on the latest technology and developments in nursing and medicine with access to educational software, presentations, and training materials that can be viewed 24/7 through workstations at all Main Line Hospitals locations or remotely via the internet.

Seminars and workshops

From informative lectures by guest speakers to group presentations by our own leaders and peers, Main Line Health nursing hosts many opportunities for members of the staff to mix, mingle, share and learn new ideas and techniques.