Framework and RSAM

Levels, Domains & Behaviors

Which advancement program should I apply to?
Your Role Program Levels Behaviors Where to Apply

Staff Nurses

  • Levels A, C, D, E
Framework D, E, F NEW! Online Advancement Application

Role Specific Nurses

  • Clinical Care Coordinators
  • Educational Nurse Coordinators
  • Flight Nurse Specialists
  • RN Case Managers
RSAM

Expert

Mastery

Mastery Plus

Click arrows for more information.

Framework

Levels

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 A

An advanced beginner - the new graduate nurse with less than 12 months of experience

Level C

A 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 D

A 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 E

An 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 F

A 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.

Domains

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

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

Levels

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

Competent

A 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.

Expert

A 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.

Mastery

A 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 Plus

A 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.

Domains

There are 10 Domains of Nursing Practice described in the Role Specific Advancement Model:

RSAM Domains

Clinical Thinking and Judgment

Systems Thinking

Advocacy

Therapeutic Relationships/ Engagement

Collaboration/ Communication, and Professional Relationships

Facilitator of Learning and Professional Development

Response (responsiveness; sensitivity) to Diversity

Advancing Evidence Based Practice through Innovation and Research

Contribution

Coordination

Behaviors

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.

 

 

Contact Us


We invite your thoughts, feedback, questions, and comments related to the Professional Development Framework and Role Specific Advancement Model! 

 

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