Where Are Career Ladders Going in the 90s

: Information from 543 hospitals and 200,000 RNs was obtained through a National Nursing Compensation Survey. Analysis of the data showed that 239 hospitals had clinical nurse ladders and many others were planning to initiate some form of ladder program soon. Although the theoretical framework, the process and the compensation packages varied, it is clear that clinical ladders are quite effective in recruitment and retention of registered nurses.