Abstract: During 1992, two hundred Registered Nurses ( RN's) participated in the Pilot Implementation of the Clinical Career Pathway for Nurses. This was conducted according to terms for the Proposal (Shepherd et al 1991) prepared by Nurses throughout the Canterbury Area Health Board.Ten services had a participating ward/ unit. All were volunteers. The framework for a Clinical Career Pathway (CAHB) has six steps. During 1992 attention was focused on the two levels beyond basic functional competency. Nurse Practitioner II, Nurse Specialist. An open system was piloted. There was no change to remuneration. Advancement was- self initiated; by peer review ( the RN was required to meet the performance criteria set by the Unit Nurse Managers.) There was no constraint to numbers advancing. Forty seven RN's advanced to Nurse practitioner II level,nine advanced to Nurse Specialist level.Evaluation covered four areas-1. Qualitative benefits and initiatives to improves patient care. 2. Nurses perception of the project. 3. Benefits of peer review. 4. Secondary gains
