2024 Nursing Annual Report

Clinical Extender Program

The Clinical Extender Program is an academic-practice partnership for baccalaureate (BSN) nursing students. The program initially began in partnership with the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB). Based on positive program results, in the summer of 2024, the program was extended to the University of Alabama’s Capstone College of Nursing; the first cohort of ACEs graduated in December 2024. The objective of the Clinical Extender Program is to close the gap between limited pediatric experiences by seeking to employ, educate, and engage future pediatric nurses. Since CEP inception, 76% of total participants have been hired into an RN role at COA.

The CEP at COA has effectively: • Established a pipeline for BSN nursing students to become RNs at COA—complementing the Alabama Office of Apprenticeship’s Associate Degree Nursing Apprentice Programs. • Enabled new graduate RNs to progress from novice to advanced beginner at a quicker pace compared to new graduate RNs not participating in the program. • Expedited the transition from non-productive to productive pay sooner.