Welcome To
CAP Promotions
We’ve created this website not only as a resource for you to access important, useful information, but also to celebrate the amazing work our nurses do every single day.
Our Clinical Advancement Program (CAP), which recognizes, rewards and promotes clinical excellence in nursing, is available to full- and part-time direct care RNs who practice at MedStar Health. Our goal is to promote professional development and foster lifelong learning.
CAP Promotions
We are excited to recognize our newest CAP Promotions for April 2026:
- Nicole G., BSN, RN, CCRN; Rapid Response Team - Clinical Nurse IV
- Delaney G., BSN, RN, CCRN; Rapid Response Team - Clinical Nurse IV
- Jessica M., MSN, RNC-NIC; NICU - Clinical Nurse IV
CAP FAQs
Patricia Benner’s (1984/2001) Novice to Expert: Excellence and Power in Clinical Nursing Practice describes a five-level framework for nursing practice that is based in evidence and has been used to further develop clinical ladder programs. Such programs are referred to today as “Clinical Advancement Programs” in an effort to emphasize the importance of professional nursing practice and ongoing development.
The Clinical Advancement Project Step 1 must be completed on submission (rolling submissions accepted). Steps 2 and 3 must be submitted within 6 months of project submission and approval. Applicants must submit every 2 years for renewal.
Level III nurses will receive a 5% increase in pay and Level IV nurses will receive an additional 6% for a total of 11% increase.
Yes, the CAP is available to direct care RNs who practice at the bedside at MedStar Health working a minimum of 24 hours per pay period (0.3FTE).
Nurses holding an Associate Degree or Diploma in Nursing are required to hold a national certification relevant to their specialty in order to be eligible for Level III.
Nurses with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) are not required to have national certification for Level III, but national certification is required for Level IV.
No, applicants must be BSN prepared or higher in order to apply for the Clinical Nurse IV designation. Nurses currently without a BSN will be eligible to apply for Clinical Nurse III designation.
Applicants are given the opportunity to pursue advancement on a rolling basis. Please submit your application to your entities Nursing Professional Development Chairs.
An RN III must wait a term (2years) before they can apply for advancement to level 4.
Please refer to the professional activity table provided in the application. The application can be found on the Starport MedStar CAP Home page.
Continuing education hours that are related to one’s specialty must be provided in order to apply for the CAP (provide proof of twenty (20) hours for Clinical Nurse III or thirty (30) hours for Clinical Nurse IV). Academic credit hours may count towards 50% of your required CEUs. CEUs do not count towards an activity point.
We are excited to recognize our newest CAP Promotions for Winter 2026:
- Cody B., BSN, RN, OCN; Infusion Center - Level IV
- Hannah B., BSN, RNC-NIC; NICU - Level IV
- Megan C., BSN, RN, PCCN, CCRN; S5-4 - Level IV
- Genevieve C., BSN, RNC-NIC, NTMNC; NICU - Level IV
- Katherine H. BSN, RN, CPN; C5-1 - Level IV
Our Clinical Advancement Program (CAP), which recognizes, rewards and promotes clinical excellence in nursing, is available to full- and part-time direct care RNs who practice at MedStar Health. Our goal is to promote professional development and foster lifelong learning.
If you have questions about the CAP application process, check out the FAQs below (or click here to download).
Clinical Advancement Program (CAP) Promotions
Congratulations to these associates for their Clinical Advancement Program (CAP) promotions! Charlotte F., BSN, CPN, C5-1 Pediatric Transplant Unit – Clinical Nurse IV Elena L., BSN, CCRN, S5-4 Medical ICU – Clinical Nurse IV Gabrielle C., BSN, CCRN, S5-4 Medical ICU – Clinical Nurse IV Jenna S., BSN, CCRN, S5-4
Congratulations to CAP Achievers!
Audrey T, Vascular Access Team – Clinical Nurse IV
Megan R, C5-1 Peds Transplant – Clinical Nurse IV
Kaitlyn D, Vascular Access Team – Clinical Nurse IV
Theresa L, Vascular Access Team – Clinical Nurse IV
Djenny-Ann M, Labor and Delivery – Clinical Nurse IV
CLICK HERE to view the entire CAP process!
- Must be a direct care RN who practices at MedStar Health on a full or part time (benefit eligible; non-exempt) basis, working for a minimum of 48 hours/pay period.
- Job title must be Clinical Nurse
- Applicants must be BSN prepared or higher to apply for level IV and those without a BSN must be enrolled in a BSN program to apply for level III
- Must have national nursing certification related to your specialty
The application is on page 20 of the information packet or CLICK HERE for the application form directly.
Updated resume, 2 profession/career goals, proof of contact hours, proof of certification
- Clin III needs 20 contact hours and Clin IV needs 30 contact hours
- Contact hour proof of completion may include certificate or transcript copies
1 Credit=15 hours based on ANCC formula
- Applications for advancement can be submitted year-round
- Final portfolios can be submitted twice a year:
- January 1st-31st
- August 1st-31st
The size of the group is the manager’s decision.
Submit to the CAP mailbox in the Nursing Administration office (1st floor, next to Nurse Recruitment)
You will hear from a CAP committee member via email in regards to your application status. Once your application is approved, you will receive additional portfolio resources. You will also receive the contact information for your CAP advisor. This individual will be available to you throughout the process and can assist you with any current/future questions you may have.
- Clinical Exemplar
- Completed Project
- Proof of Elements:
- Clin III: 6 elements
- Clin IV: 8 elements
- Your Project will count towards one of your EBP/R elements
- CLICK HERE to view the portfolio outline
Once your application has been approved, you may submit your portfolio during the next submission window. Maximum amount of time for completion is 2 years.
- The CAP compensation award will now be a percentage-based premium increase and an applicant will receive the increase for 2 years after successful completion.
- Clin III: 5% premium increase
- Clin IV: 11% premium increase
First, celebrate all your hard work!
To continue to receive compensation award and to keep your clinical ladder status, you must reapply and submit a portfolio every 2 years.
Contact any member of the Clinical Advancement Program Committee. You may also CLICK HERE to complete an electronic inquiry form.
CLICK HERE to view the entire CAP process!
- Must be a direct care RN who practices at MedStar Health on a full or part time (benefit eligible; non-exempt) basis, working for a minimum of 48 hours/pay period.
- Job title must be Clinical Nurse
- Applicants must be BSN prepared or higher to apply for level IV and those without a BSN must be enrolled in a BSN program to apply for level III
- Must have national nursing certification related to your specialty
The application is on page 20 of the information packet or CLICK HERE for the application form directly.
Updated resume, 2 profession/career goals, proof of contact hours, proof of certification
- Clin III needs 20 contact hours and Clin IV needs 30 contact hours
- Contact hour proof of completion may include certificate or transcript copies
1 Credit=15 hours based on ANCC formula
- Applications for advancement can be submitted year-round
- Final portfolios can be submitted twice a year:
- January 1st-31st
- August 1st-31st
The size of the group is the manager’s decision.
Submit to the CAP mailbox in the Nursing Administration office (1st floor, next to Nurse Recruitment)
You will hear from a CAP committee member via email in regards to your application status. Once your application is approved, you will receive additional portfolio resources. You will also receive the contact information for your CAP advisor. This individual will be available to you throughout the process and can assist you with any current/future questions you may have.
- Clinical Exemplar
- Completed Project
- Proof of Elements:
- Clin III: 6 elements
- Clin IV: 8 elements
- Your Project will count towards one of your EBP/R elements
- CLICK HERE to view the portfolio outline
Once your application has been approved, you may submit your portfolio during the next submission window. Maximum amount of time for completion is 2 years.
- The CAP compensation award will now be a percentage-based premium increase and an applicant will receive the increase for 2 years after successful completion.
- Clin III: 5% premium increase
- Clin IV: 11% premium increase
First, celebrate all your hard work!
To continue to receive compensation award and to keep your clinical ladder status, you must reapply and submit a portfolio every 2 years.
Contact any member of the Clinical Advancement Program Committee. You may also CLICK HERE to complete an electronic inquiry form.
It was part of a MedStar Health initiative to standardize the CAP program across all hospitals
Applications for advancement can be submitted year-round and final portfolios can be submitted twice a year, in January (Winter) and August (Summer)
Yes, CAP is available to direct care, full or part time, RNs who practice at MedStar Health
The CAP compensation award will now be a percentage-based premium increase and an applicant will receive the increase for 2 years after successful completion.
- Clin III: 5% premium increase
- Clin IV: 11% premium increase
The initial application on page 24 should be submitted to the CAP mailbox in the Nursing Administration office (1st floor, next to Nurse Recruitment) along with the required paperwork listed on page 24
Applicants must have a nationally recognized board certification in a specialty area related to their clinical practice
Applicants must be BSN prepared or higher to apply for level IV and those without a BSN must be enrolled in a BSN program to apply for level III
Clin III needs 20 contact hours and Clin IV needs 30 contact hours
Contact hour proof of completion may include certificate or transcript copies
For academic course work: 1 credit hour = 10 contact hours
1st time applicants may complete their portfolio (with all requirements) and submit within a year. Maximum amount of time for completion is 2 years.
- One EBP is required for both levels
- Clin III: 6 additional elements and Clin IV: 8 additional elements
The size of the group is the manager’s decision.
Contact any member of the Clinical Advancement Program Committee
We are excited to recognize our newest CAP Promotions for Fall 2025:
- Aimee V., MSN, MBA, RNC-NIC, RNC-ELBW, RNC-NNIC, NICU – Level IV
- Ashley R., BSN, RN, RNC-NIC, NICU – Level IV
- Caroline S., BSN, RN, CPN, Pediatric Lombardi Clinic – Level IV
- Amanda L., BSN, CPN, C5-1 Pediatric Transplant – Level IV
- Caroline C., BSN, RN, CCRN, SCRN S3-4 Neuro ICU – Level IV
- Lizzy D., BSN, RN, CCRN, S3-4 Neuro ICU – Level IV
