Clinical Ladder

UVA Community Health

Clinical Career Ladder ASCEND Program

The purpose of the CCL ASCEND is to promote individual growth as a professional nurse according to personal goals and stage of demonstrated nursing practice. The CCL ASCEND encourages behaviors and activities that support the achievement of organizational goals. We are committed to evolving the CCL ASCEND to meet the needs of the nursing organization and is continuously evaluated consistent with organizational commitment to continuous improvement

Strategic Goal Alignment:

Best Place to Work

Expanding our Excellence

Theoretical Framework: Patricia Benner- From Novice to Expert

Format: Behavioral Based

CCL ASCEND Clinician behaviors are based on the ANA Scope and Standards of Practice (4th ed.) and 2015 ANA Code of Ethics for Nurses with Interpretive Statements and aligned with the UVA Community Health Nursing Professional Practice Model.

Important Updates

Beginning this April, the Center of Nursing Excellence will be holding required CCL ASCEND class offerings. This class is required for all nurse managers, all nurses currently clin III-V participating in the CCL program, and any nurse clin II- IV preparing to advance to the next CCL level.

Submission Dates to ASCEND

All applications are due the first Monday of the approved submission month

November 3, 2025 

January 5, 2026

March 2, 2026

May 4, 2026

September 7, 2026

November 2, 2026

Edited by: Francine Barnes (yka5zv) Updated: July 11, 2025