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Levels, Domains & BehaviorsFramework and RSAM
Levels, Domains & Behaviors
| Which advancement program should I apply to? | ||||
| Your Role | Program | Levels | Behaviors | Where to Apply |
Staff Nurses
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Framework | D, E, F | NEW! Online Advancement Application | |
Role Specific Nurses
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RSAM | Expert Mastery Mastery Plus |
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Click arrows for more information.
Framework
The five Levels of nursing practice within the Professional Development Framework are based in part on the Benner Model of Knowledge and Skill Acquisition with our 2018 Contractual Agreement, Level F is included for nurses who have earned a master's degree.
| Framework Levels | ||||
Level AAn advanced beginner - the new graduate nurse with less than 12 months of experience |
Level CA fully competent nurse who provides care to a full range of patients seen in his/her practice setting, who has begun to make contributions on the unit. |
Level DA proficient nurse who provides individualized care to a full range of patients seen in the practice setting, while also making contributions to the unit and profession. Develops professional goals and demonstrates attention to own professional development. |
Level EAn expert nurse who provides highly individualized care to a full range of patients even in the most complex situations, while also making significant contributions within and often beyond the unit as well as the profession. Is goal driven around own professional development with clear evidence of advancing professional identity. |
Level FA master’s degree prepared nurse whose practice is driven by evidence and patient outcomes based on the patient population and allows for critical evaluation of work in the field. Pursues learning as a journey of ongoing personal development and excellence in and beyond chosen discipline. Consistently role models and infuses evidence based knowledge into practice. |
There are five Domains of Nursing Practice described in the Professional Development Framework: Clinical Skills and Knowledge; Therapeutic Relationships; Professional Relationships; Professional Development; and Advancing Evidence Based Practice through Innovation and Research. Each domain contains subheadings that further delineate that area of practice.
| Framework Domains | ||||
Clinical Skills & Knowledge |
Therapeutic Relationships |
Professional Relationships |
Professional Development |
Advancing Evidence Based Practice through Innovation and Research |
Behaviors describe the expected performance of a nurse at each Level of the Framework. Behaviors are described for each Domain of Nursing Practice. When viewed from Level A across the grid to Level F, increasingly advanced behaviors are evident within each domain. Per Contract Addendum D, Section A, 9): Advancement will be made on meeting a preponderance of all behaviors in total. However, the employee must meet a preponderance of behaviors in the Clinical Skills and Knowledge Domain.
| Framework Behaviors |
| Framework Behaviors - TIP: Print this document and keep it handy for reference as you complete your application |
RSAM
The four Levels of nursing practice within the Role Specific Advancement Model are based in part on the Benner Model of Knowledge and Skill Acquisition.
| RSAM Levels | |||
CompetentA Role Specific nurse who has learned and can effectively address the essential aspects of the role in their daily practice while also beginning to make contributions to the work setting. |
ExpertA Role Specific nurse who demonstrates depth of knowledge of the role and individualized, often innovative practice while also making contributions to the unit and profession. Develops professional goals and demonstrates attention to own professional development. |
MasteryA Role Specific nurse who possesses masterful knowledge and skill in the role, even in the most complex situations, while also making significant contributions within and often beyond the workplace as well as the profession. Is goal driven around own professional development with clear evidence of advancing professional identity. |
Mastery PlusA master's degree prepared nurse whose practice is driven by evidence and patient outcomes based on the patient population and allows for critical evaluation of work in the field. Pursues learning as a journey of ongoing personal development and excellence in and beyond chosen discipline. Consistently role models and infuses evidence based knowledge into practice. |
There are 10 Domains of Nursing Practice described in the Role Specific Advancement Model:
| RSAM Domains | |
Clinical Thinking and JudgmentSystems ThinkingAdvocacyTherapeutic Relationships/ EngagementCollaboration/ Communication, and Professional Relationships |
Facilitator of Learning and Professional DevelopmentResponse (responsiveness; sensitivity) to DiversityAdvancing Evidence Based Practice through Innovation and ResearchContributionCoordination |
Behaviors describe the expected performance of a nurse at each Level of RSAM. Behaviors are described for each Domain of Nursing Practice. When viewed from “Competent/Role Entry” across the grid to “Expert” and finally to “Mastery Plus”, increasingly advanced behaviors are evident within each domain. Per Contract Addendum D, Section A, 8): Meeting a preponderance (vast majority) of behaviors in the Role Specific Advancement Model is the basis for advancement.
| RSAM Behaviors | |||
| TIP: Print the document below for your role and keep it handy for reference as you complete your application | |||
Clinical Care Coordinator |
Educational Nurse Coordinator |
Flight Nurse Specialist |
RN Case Manager |
Guide for Self-Reflection
As you contemplate applying for advancement, one of the first things you will want to do is take some time for self-reflection. Begin the process by printing a copy of the behaviors document for your role (see above dropdowns).
As you read through the document, find the behaviors that most closely describe what you do over the course of daily practice. Be honest with yourself. You may find that you need to go through the document more than once, even on different days.
Think about what happened today or this week. Think about your most memorable patients and experiences. Think about what makes you proud. Think about what stories you might tell about your practice and experiences.
As you work your way through the grid, you will quite possibly find that the behaviors which describe your individual practice are scattered over several levels. You may even surprise yourself. Circle the ones that you feel best describe you. You may find that looking at the behaviors helps you set goals for yourself for the future.
When you have an idea of what level most aligns with your practice and where you believe you can demonstrate meeting the vast majority of behaviors, use our online application to begin the process.
As you work through the application, we encourage you to consider contacting the coach (see the Coach section on the Tools & Resources page) for feedback, support and encouragement.
Susan Maycock, DNP, RN, CNS-BC, NPD-BC, Program Lead
Email: smaycock@med.umich.edu
Anna Watterworth, MS, BSN, RN, Appeals Board Lead
Ph: (734) 998-2295
Email: annawatt@med.umich.edu
Joanne Hazelton, BSN, RN, Framework/RSAM Coach
Ph: (734) 232-1123
Email: Nurse-FrameworkRSAM-Coach@med.umich.edu
Target Audience: Nursing at Michigan | Author/Contact: Dr. Susan Maycock, DNP, RN, CNS-BC, NPD-BC
Web Publisher: K. Dunnuck | Updated 10/29/21