Clinical Nurse Education Specialist

Penn Medicine, University of Pennsylvania Health System; Philadelphia (Philadelphia County); On-site; USD 95,000 - 135,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Tuition assistance

Employee benefits program

Job summary

Penn Medicine is seeking a Clinical Nurse Education Specialist (CNES) to lead nursing education, professional development, and competency management. The CNES will oversee orientation, role development, and translation of evidence into practice to support safe, high-quality patient care.

The CNES serves as a liaison across the organization, mentoring and coaching nurses, driving practice changes, and collaborating with interprofessional teams to advance nursing practice and patient outcomes.

Qualifications

• Registered Nurse – Pennsylvania (Required)
• Specialty Nursing Certification (ANCC-approved): Required within one year of hire if not already certified.
• Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) (Required)
• Master's degree in Nursing Education in progress, enrolled within hire and completion within three years.

Responsibilities

• Lead nursing education, professional development, and competency management initiatives.
• Support orientation, role development, and ongoing clinical education for nursing staff.
• Translate current evidence into clinical practice to improve patient outcomes.
• Design, implement, and evaluate practice improvement initiatives using quality methodologies.
• Collaborate with clinical leaders and interprofessional teams.
• Serve as a clinical resource, mentor, coach, and educator for nurses and healthcare professionals.
• Facilitate effective communication and shared decision-making.
• Contribute to recruitment and retention of nursing staff.

Skills

Clinical leadership

Nursing education

Mentoring

Coaching

Evidence-based practice

Communication

Project management

Education

Bachelor of Science in Nursing

Master's degree in Nursing Education (in progress)

Job description

Description

Penn Medicine is dedicated to our tripartite mission of providing the highest level of care to patients, conducting innovative research, and educating future leaders in the field of medicine. Working for this leading academic medical center means collaboration with top clinical, technical and business professionals across all disciplines.

Penn Medicine is dedicated to our tripartite mission of providing the highest level of care to patients, conducting innovative research, and educating future leaders in the field of medicine. Working for this leading academic medical center means collaboration with top clinical, technical and business professionals across all disciplines.

Today at Penn Medicine, someone will make a breakthrough. Someone will heal a heart, deliver hopeful news, and give comfort and reassurance. Our employees shape our future each day. Are you living your life's work?

Clinical Nurse Education Specialist (CNES)

Summary:

The Clinical Nurse Education Specialist (CNES) is a master’s- or doctoral-prepared nurse who functions as a clinical leader in nursing education, professional development, research, evidence-based practice, project management, mentoring, and coaching.

The CNES oversees nursing role development, competency management, orientation, and the translation of best evidence into nursing practice to support safe, high-quality patient care. This role serves as a vital liaison across the organization, communicating and navigating diverse perspectives in a respectful and effective manner to advocate for positive change, optimal care delivery, and an engaged nursing team.

The CNES is responsible for:

• Driving organizational change through effective communication and sound clinical judgment.
• Applying critical thinking and analytical skills to design and implement initiatives that improve nursing practice.
• Partnering effectively with clinical teams and the broader interprofessional team.
• Demonstrating a strong knowledge base within a clinical specialty and maintaining current professional knowledge and competency.
• Leveraging advanced education and training to lead nursing practice, support bedside nurses, and drive practice changes at the unit, service line, entity, and system levels.
• Applying evidence-based practices and process improvement and quality improvement methodologies to achieve optimal patient outcomes.
• Guiding interprofessional teams in advancing nursing practice and improving care delivery.
• Sharing knowledge and expertise through local, state, and/or national forums.
• Supporting the professional development of nurses and other healthcare professionals through clinical guidance, coaching, teaching, and mentoring.
• Promoting engagement through feedback, two-way communication, and shared decision-making.
• Supporting new hires and the ongoing development of clinical nurses to promote recruitment, professional growth, and retention.

Responsibilities

• Lead nursing education, professional development, and competency management initiatives.
• Support orientation, role development, and ongoing clinical education for nursing staff.
• Translate current evidence into clinical practice to improve patient outcomes and the quality of care.
• Design, implement, and evaluate practice improvement initiatives using critical thinking, analytical skills, and quality improvement methodologies.
• Collaborate with clinical leaders and interprofessional teams to advance nursing practice and support organizational goals.
• Serve as a clinical resource, mentor, coach, and educator for nurses and other healthcare professionals.
• Facilitate effective communication, shared decision-making, and the adoption of evidence-based practices.
• Contribute to the development, engagement, recruitment, and retention of nursing staff.

Credentials

• Registered Nurse – Pennsylvania (Required)
• Specialty Nursing Certification (ANCC-approved): Required within one year of hire if not already certified.
• Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) (Required)

Education Or Equivalent Experience

• Bachelor of Science in Nursing (Required)
• Master of Arts or Master of Science (Required): Must be enrolled in the applicable graduate program at the time of hire and complete the degree within three years.
• Nursing Education Experience: Two or more years preferred.
• Staff Development Experience: Two or more years preferred.

We believe that the best care for our patients starts with the best care for our employees. Our employee benefits programs help our employees get healthy and stay healthy. We offer a comprehensive compensation and benefits program that includes one of the finest prepaid tuition assistance programs in the region. Penn Medicine employees are actively engaged and committed to our mission. Together we will continue to make medical advances that help people live longer, healthier lives.

Live Your Life's Work

We are an Equal Opportunity employer. Candidates are considered for employment without regard to race, ethnicity, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, marital status, familial status, genetic information, domestic or sexual violence victim status, citizenship status, military status, status as a protected veteran or any other status protected by applicable law.