C.A.R.E. Program
C.A.R.E. stands for Clinical Advancement and Recognition of Excellence.
C.A.R.E. is an outcome based clinical recognition program for Registered Nurses, through which clinical nurses are acknowledged and rewarded for achieving and demonstrating increased levels of expertise and for their ability to make an impact on patient outcomes. It is a process for distinguishing registered nurse practice at the bedside.
Registered nurses from the Meridian Health's hospitals developed C.A.R.E., and Meridian is one of the few health systems in the country to use this innovative approach to recognize nursing expertise. Having continually achieved Magnet recognition across the system, Meridian values the Magnet process. The C.A.R.E. application process resembles the Magnet application process, and nurses are recognized for their accomplishments in four key nursing areas:
- Clinical expertise
- Education
- Shared governance
- Research
**Save the Date**
October 12, 19 & 26, 2012
2012 Specialty Scholar Core Curriculum
Specialty Scholar Applications are due by September 1, 2012
Participation in the C.A.R.E. Program
All part-time and full-time clinical nurses who have achieved a designated minimum score on the Annual Performance Appraisal are eligible to apply. The first level, Clinical Nurse, is achieved once the nurse has completed orientation. Clinical Fellow, Clinical Resource, and Clinical Scholar Applicants must submit a professional portfolio including:
- Resume or Curriculum Vitae.
- Recommendation document completed by the applicant's manager.
- Completion of a clinical practice questionnaire or case study with evidence that addresses the specific indicators for clinical practice, education, shared governance and research.
- Documents to support key outcome indicators.
Two members of the C.A.R.E. Program Committee will evaluate the portfolios. Applications are presented to a panel of each of the three hospital's C.A.R.E. Program Committee for approval. You can see the C.A.R.E. representative of your unit for program updates, or consider becoming the C.A.R.E. representative for your unit if your unit does not have one.
If you are interested in learning more about C.A.R.E., one of our coordinators can assist you. Our coordinators will answer any questions you have about the program, and will meet with you to help with the application process. Our coordinators will also conduct several in-services on components of the process throughout the year.
For more information, or to request an application, please call the Ann May Center for Nursing at 732-776-3185.
The following application submission schedule should be followed to ensure that deadlines are not missed:
| Submission | Planned Advancement |
| March 1 June 1 September 1 December 1 |
April July October January |
Applications
Clinical Fellow Application
Clinical Resource Application
Clinical Scholar Application
Specialty Scholar Application
Renewal Applications
3 Year Renewal - Clinical Fellow
3 Year Renewal - Clinical Resource
3 Year Renewal - Clinical Scholar
3 Year Renewal - Nursing Specialty Scholar
