Every nurse should have a clear path to achieve their professional goals and at Encompass Health, we recognize the importance of understanding the specific steps needed to grow your career as well as the importance of feeling supported along the way. That is why we created the Nursing Career Ladder, a structured program that turns your goals into achievable milestones through a transparent and meaningful process.

The Nursing Career Ladder is built upon four pillars essential to career growth: leadership, team collaboration, professional development and nursing practice advancement. These guiding principles help ensure that each nurse has the tools and opportunities necessary to grow professionally throughout their tenure at Encompass Health. As nurses progress from RN I to RN IV, they can be rewarded with enhanced titles and increased compensation making each step a reflection of their dedication to patient care and clinical excellence.

For Amy Frielink, a registered nurse at Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Katy, Texas, the Nursing Career Ladder has been a central part of her professional journey. Amy joined the hospital in February 2024 as a full-time RN II and thanks to her prior experience and the clearly defined structure of the ladder, she has since advanced to the RN III level and currently serves as a relief supervisor. 

During her time as an RN II, Amy earned points toward her promotion to RN III by taking part in several development opportunities such as completing her Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), maintaining her Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support certification, receiving cross-training as a relief supervisor and actively participating in hospital initiatives. She also contributed to the Encompass Health safety committee and joined a nursing and therapy focus group, where she assisted with the skills fair and led an ongoing audit on sequential compression device use in hip fracture patients. These accomplishments not only strengthened Amy’s clinical expertise but also opened the door for her to play a greater role in supporting Encompass Health’s mission and advancing her own professional goals.

Frielink credits much of her growth to the guidance and encouragement she received from her leaders. “I’ve felt welcomed since day one and inspired by my coworkers who are also moving forward in their careers,” she said. “They helped me understand how to use the Nursing Career Ladder and it gave me the clarity I needed to level up to RN III.”

The best part of the nursing career ladder is that it’s designed to support all nurses, whether you’re just starting out or bringing years of experience to the team. Once you’re onboarded, your manager will work with you to map out your path based on your background and goals. The program honors your past accomplishments and opens the door for what’s next.

At Encompass Health, we take pride in recognizing the dedication, compassion and excellence our nurses bring to each shift. We invite you to take the next step in your nursing career with Encompass Health and learn more about open nursing positions at more than 165 locations nationwide!