Professional Development for Nurses

At Children's Hospital Colorado, we support the professional development of our nurses throughout their careers – whether they're just entering the nursing profession or have had decades of experience. Our Clinical Advancement Program, education offerings, scholarship opportunities and advanced career opportunities support the continuous growth and development of our nursing team members.

Professional growth and development

We believe in continuous and lifelong learning. Our Clinical Advancement Program (CAP) provides a structure and process for career advancement as a valued clinical nurse team member. The program is modeled after Dr. Patricia Benner’s novice to expert continuum, framed in the Magnet® Model components, and aligns with our Children's Colorado Professional Practice Model.

Children's Colorado CAP has four distinct tracks of professional practice, recognizing direct care nurses for their service as clinical experts, clinical scientists, team leaders, as well as patient and peer educators.

The nursing professional excellence tracks are:

• Track 1: Exemplary professional practice (nurse as clinical expert)
• Track 2: Transformational leadership (nurse as leader)
• Track 3: Structural empowerment (nurse as educator)
• Track 4: New knowledge, innovations and improvements (nurse as scientist)

Professional development throughout your nursing career

In addition to our professional advancement for nurses, we offer various programs and opportunities to help nurses develop their skills and careers.

Early nursing career opportunities

• New Graduate Nurse Residency Program: Our nurse residency program is accredited by the commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). Through the program, new graduate nurses participate in classroom, clinical lab/simulation instruction, precepted clinical experience and mentorship activities as they begin their nursing careers with us. Learn more about our New Graduate Nurse Residency Program.

Transition to practice programs for nurses 

• Pediatric Nurse Fellowships for Registered Nurses. Our unique fellowship programs offer specialized training and education to support experienced registered nurses in transitioning from adult to pediatric healthcare settings. These programs are currently available in our Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at our hospitals on the Anschutz Medical Campus and in Colorado Springs, and our Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) on the Anschutz Medical Campus. Learn more about our Pediatric Nurse Fellowships for Registered Nurses.

Opportunities to enhance nursing education and skills

• Nurse research fellowship: We offer a nursing research fellowship to help nurses expand knowledge in their clinical area of choice. Learn how these nursing research programs can help you grow your knowledge, skills and expertise.
• Continuing nursing education: We host continuing education opportunities throughout the year that are open to our nursing team and healthcare professionals from other institutions. These opportunities include conferences, courses and self-study programs. Learn about our continuing education opportunities for nurses.
• Hearst scholarship: The Hearst Nurse Scholars Program is made possible by generous funding from the William Randolph Hearst Foundation. This program provides financial support to nurse leaders who are completing or planning to complete graduate studies to acquire the educational and theoretical foundations necessary to lead as healthcare changes dramatically. Nursing leaders in good standing, who have demonstrated a commitment to the mission, vision and values of Children's Colorado through their service to the organization, are encouraged to apply. Successful applicants will receive a stipend over a two-year period.

Advanced practice nursing opportunities

In partnership with the University of Colorado, we have opportunities for advanced practice professionals in diverse clinical settings including outpatient primary and specialty care clinics, inpatient and critical care units and surgical services. Learn about advanced practice opportunities.

Research opportunities for nurses

We’re dedicated to advancing pediatric healthcare through research and clinical inquiry. Learn about nursing research and our commitment to advancing healthcare knowledge and nursing practice.