Director, Nursing Professional Development & Practice

900 Emory Healthcare; Warner Robins (GA); On-site; USD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Emory Healthcare seeks a Director of Nursing Professional Development and Practice to provide strategic leadership for nursing education and practice standards across the system. The role oversees Nursing Professional Development Practitioners and/or Clinical Nurse Practice Specialists, driving evidence-based practice and high-reliability care aligned with organizational goals.

The position leads comprehensive education programs, onboarding strategies, and the development, standardization, and

Qualifications

• Masters required or higher in nursing or related field.
• Active nursing license in Georgia or eligible for licensure in GA.
• Experience leading nursing education, practice standards, and governance.

Responsibilities

• Direct nursing education programs (residency, onboarding, CE, simulation).
• Develop transition-to-practice programs for new grads and experienced nurses.
• Lead development and evaluation of competencies and standards.
• Collaborate with CNPS and clinical leaders to align practice standards.

Skills

Nursing leadership

Education program design

Change management

Project management

Communication

Regulatory compliance

Education

Master's degree in Nursing

Doctorate in Nursing Practice (DNP)

Job description

Position Overview

Work Shift: Day - 8 Hour (United States of America)

The Director of Nursing Professional Development and Practice provides strategic leadership for nursing education and practice standards across the organization. This role oversees Nursing Professional Development Practitioners or Specialists and/or Clinical Nurse Practice Specialists to ensure excellence in nursing professional development and evidence-based practice, and high-reliability nursing care. The Director ensures alignment between system-wide practice standards, CNPS‑led clinical innovation, operational goals to support safe and outcomes‑driven care across entities. The Director is responsible for designing and implementing comprehensive education programs and onboarding strategies, while also leading the development, standardization, and maintenance of nursing practice documents, policies, and protocols. The position promotes patient‑and family‑centered care, optimal clinical outcomes, and alignment with organizational goals.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

• Professional Development and Education:
  • Direct all aspects of nursing education programs, including nurse residency, onboarding, continuing education, and simulation‑based learning.
  • Develop and implement structured transition‑to‑practice programs for new graduates and experienced nurses.
  • Provides leadership in the development, implementation, and evaluation of initial and ongoing competencies.
  • Lead initiatives to advance nursing staff competency and lifelong learning through evidence‑based education strategies.
  • Collaborate with CNPS to ensure clinical education integrates evidence‑based practice and care transformation priorities.
• Practice Standards and Clinical Governance:
  • Provide leadership for the development, revision, and standardization of nursing policies, procedures, protocols, and guidelines across the health system.
  • Ensure incorporation of current clinical evidence into all nursing practice documents.
  • Partners with system and entity practice councils, CNPSs, and clinical leaders to align practice standards and promote consistency.
  • Establishes, revises, administers and communicates policies, procedures and related forms in accordance with state, federal, and organizational guidelines.
  • Communicates and monitors compliance with regulatory, licensing and accreditation standards.
  • Integrate CNPS‑led initiative such as evidence translation, clinical gap analysis and real‑time accountability structures into practice governance.
• Leadership and Collaboration:
  • Supervise and mentor Nursing Professional Development Practitioners or Specialists, and/or Clinical Nurse Practice Specialists, fostering a culture of excellence and collaboration.
  • Partner with system Nursing Professional Development Team, quality, infection prevention, regulatory, and patient safety leaders to ensure readiness and compliance within clinical documents.
  • Actively demonstrate change management principles and lead organizational initiatives to improve nursing practice and education.
  • Participate in professional activities and organizations to maintain knowledge of current trends, practices, and developments.
• Performance Improvement and Innovation:
  • Design and implement structures and processes that promote high reliability and automation in nursing practice.
  • Drive continuous improvement initiatives to enhance patient outcomes, staff engagement, and operational efficiency.
  • Leverage CNPS expertise in data analysis, nursing sensitive indicators, and performance dashboards to inform system strategy.
  • Support clinical research and implementation science to translate evidence into practice.
• Resources and Budget Management:
  • Prepare and manage departmental budgets for education programs and practice standardization initiatives.
  • Allocate resources effectively to support strategic priorities and monitor expenditures for fiscal responsibility.
  • Leverage CNPS insights on clinical outcomes, care variability, and practice gaps into strategic planning, workforce forecasting, and system readiness.
• Additional Duties as Assigned.

Travel: Some travel may be required between operating units and Emory affiliated sites.

Work Type: On‑site employee - Works in the office or at a physical workplace, interacting with colleagues face‑to‑face.

Minimum Required Qualifications

• Education - Master's degree in Nursing or related field
• Experience - 7 years minimum experience with at least 3 years of nursing leadership experience in nursing education or practice
• Licensure - Active, unencumbered nursing license approved by the Georgia state licensing board
• Certification - BLS
• Knowledge, skills, and abilities (required):
  • Demonstrated competency in leadership, change management, project management, and evidence-based practice.
  • Strong ability to synthesize information from multiple stakeholders quickly.
  • Excellent communication, engagement, and problem‑solving skills.
  • Demonstrated expertise in nursing education, professional governance, performance improvement, financial management, and regulatory compliance.

Preferred Qualifications

• Education - Doctorate in Nursing Practice (DNP)
• Experience - 10 years of experience, with at least 5 years of nursing leadership experience in nursing education or practice
• Certification - Professional Nursing Certification (e.g. CCRN, CEN, NE‑BC, CPHQ)

Physical Requirements (Medium Max 25lbs)

up to 25 lbs., 0‑33% of the workday (occasionally)

Lifting 25 lbs. max; Carrying of objects up to 25 lbs.; Occasional to frequent standing & walking, Occasional sitting, Close eye work (computers, typing, reading, writing), Physical demands may vary depending on assigned work area and work tasks.

Environmental Factors

Factors affecting environmental conditions may vary depending on the assigned work area and tasks. Environmental exposures include but are not limited to: Blood‑borne pathogen exposure, Bio‑hazardous waste chemicals/gases/fumes/vapors, Communicable diseases, Electrical shock, Floor Surfaces, Hot/Cold Temperatures, Indoor/Outdoor conditions, Latex, Lighting, Patient care/handling injuries, Radiation, Shift work, Travel may be required. Use of personal protective equipment, including respirators, environmental conditions may vary depending on assigned work area and work tasks.

Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion

Emory is an equal opportunity employer, and qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, protected veteran status or other characteristics protected by state or federal law.

Emory Healthcare is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request.

Additional Information

Scheduled Weekly Hours: 40

FTE: 1

Expanded Work Shift: On Call: We’re pleased to announce that Emory Healthcare and Houston Healthcare have joined forces to better serve our communities and strengthen our mission. This integration marks an exciting step forward, combining our shared values and complementary strengths. What This Means for Job Seekers While our organizations are integrating, each will continue to operate separate hiring processes for the time being. That means if you’re interested in a position at Emory Healthcare, we are guiding applicants to our careers website. We’re committed to a smooth transition and will keep you informed as we align our operations. Thank you for your interest in joining our teams—we’re excited about what the future holds.

We’re committed to a smooth transition and will keep you informed as we align our operations. Thank you for your interest in joining our teams—we’re excited about what the future holds.

Houston Healthcare is the premier health organization in Middle Georgia, serving as a cornerstone for health and wellness for the community since 1960. Strategically positioned to connect people, community, and quality care, Houston Healthcare is a caring health system, dedicated to excellence today and tomorrow. With two main hospitals and 7 separate campuses, HHC’s combined capacity of 282 beds serves over 300,000 patients in Houston County and surrounding communities annually.

Please note that one week's advance notice is preferred.