MORGANTOWN — WVU Medicine is in the process of expanding its Clinical Advancement for Professional Excellence Program for bedside nurses.

The CAPE Program is a nursing program designed to enrich professional development, provide a reward system for quality clinical performance, promote quality nursing and improve job satisfaction. This program, designed by nurses for nurses, is focused on rewarding, recognizing, retaining and recruiting inpatient direct-care nurses throughout WVU Medicine.

CAPE originally was designed in 2018 by bedside nurses throughout the WVU Health System and was updated in 2023 to keep it contemporary, competitive and relevant to the bedside nurses’ work.

“All nurses are valued by WVU Medicine, and this program fosters a professional nursing career path and values experience,” said Melanie Heuston, WVU Health System chief nursing executive. “We want to do everything possible to provide a career path and growth opportunities for our nurses.”

Nurses are rewarded and recognized for being charge nurses and precepting students and new employees. They also are recognized for elevating the voice of nursing on unit, hospital, or system-wide councils.

Education and professional development also are recognized as ways to advance in the program. As nurses gain more knowledge and expertise in their field of practice, patient care is affected in a positive way.

“Nurses showcase their compassion, caring and dedication to our patients and community every day,” said Susan Redish, a registered nurse and director of nursing for WVU Medicine Barnesville Hospital and Harrison Community Hospital. “The CAPE Program allows both WVU Medicine Barnesville Hospital and Harrison Community Hospital the opportunity to recognize, retain and reward beside nurses not only for their strength within healthcare but also by encouraging and supporting their professional growth.”

“Nurses are grateful and recognize the organization’s commitment to nurses and to allow nurses to collaborate in decision-making for departments, hospitals and the System,” said Lya M. Cartwright-Stroupe, WVU Health System director for professional practice and education and leader of the CAPE Task Force since its formation. “There is much excitement and energy surrounding the revisions.”