Nursing Professional Development Specialist

Advocate Health; Milwaukee (WI); On-site; USD 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

The Nursing Professional Development Specialist at Aurora Sinai designs and delivers evidence-based education to close knowledge and practice gaps, serving as advisor, change agent, and mentor. Roles include driving learning initiatives aligned with professional standards and system priorities.

Collaborating across disciplines, this professional evaluates outcomes, supports lifelong learning, and promotes practice innovation to improve patient care outcomes.

Qualifications

• Must demonstrate essential and advanced NPD competencies.
• Excellent written and oral communications.
• Strong presentation and speaking skills.
• Critical thinking and analytical skills.
• Proficient in email, electronic records and digital platforms.

Responsibilities

• Uses nursing knowledge to design and implement evidence-based learning interventions.
• Validates practice gaps and determines learning needs at multiple levels.
• Evaluates cost-effectiveness and ROI of learning initiatives; applies project management.
• Promotes career progression and aligns development with standards and system priorities.
• Fosters collaborations across disciplines to support professional development and change.
• Encourages evidence-based practice and a culture of inquiry and continuous improvement.

Skills

NPD competencies

Written and oral communication

Presentation skills

Critical thinking

Computer proficiency

Education

Graduate degree in nursing

RN license (multi-state compact)

Job description

Nursing Professional Development Specialist

Aurora Sinai

Aurora Sinai is a Magnet designated Medical Center with Distinction

Major Responsibilities

• All responsibilities are in alignment with NPDScope and Standards of Practice,relevant regulatory and accrediting agencies, and Advocate Health policies/procedures:
• Uses advanced nursing knowledge and the educational design process to implement evidence-based interventions that close knowledge, skill, and practice gapsidentifiedthrough needs assessment, while functioning in roles such as advisor, change agent, collaborator, leader, and mentor.
• Validates practice gaps and synthesizes data todeterminelearning needs at individual, organizational, and system levels.
• Evaluates cost-effectiveness and ROI of learning initiatives; applies project management and process improvement to plan and implement strategies that influence nursing practice and outcomes.
• Promotes role clarity, guides career progression, and evaluates the impact of development initiatives, while aligning strategies with professional standards and fostering a culture of lifelong learning.
• Fosters collaborative partnerships by engaging stakeholders across disciplines to support professional development, practice change, and strategic initiatives. Builds relationships that promote shared accountability,facilitatescommunication, and integrates diverse perspectives to enhance learning outcomes and organizational goals. Collaborates to align educational strategies with system priorities and advocates for evidence-based practice and innovation.
• Promotes a culture of inquiry by integrating evidence-based practice, research, and innovation into professional development activities. Critically appraises literature, supports the translation of evidence into practice, and encourages questioning and exploration to improve outcomes. Empowers nurses to engage in scholarly inquiry and continuous improvement through collaboration,educationand participation in research.

Minimum Job Requirements

Education

• Graduate degree in nursing ora relatedfield. Ifgraduatedegree is not in nursing,bachelor'sdegree in nursing isrequired.

Certification / Registration / License

• Active, unrestricted registered nurse (RN) multi-state compact and/or single-state license with privileges to practice in the state(s) where the RN is practicing.

Experience

• At least 3yearsnursing experience with minimum 1 year of experience working with adult learners.

Knowledge / Skills / Abilities

• Accountable fordemonstratingboth essential and advanced NPD competencies.
• Excellent written and oral communications
• Strong presentation/speaking skills
• Critical thinking and analytical skills
• Proficiencyin operating computer functions (e.g.E-mail, electronic records, digital platforms, etc.)

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions

• This position requires travel so there will be exposure to weather and road conditions.

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions:

• Must be able to sit, stand, walk, lift, squat, bend, twist, and reach above shoulders during the work shift.
• Must be able to:
• lift up to 50 lbs. from floor to waist.
• lift up to 20 lbs. over the head.
• carry up to 40 lbs. a reasonable distance.
• Must be able to:
• - push/pull with 30 lbs. of force.
• - perform a sliding transfer of 150 lbs. with a second person present.
• Will be required to use foot pedals on carts or machines.
• Must have functional vision and hearing.
• Will be exposed to mechanical, electrical, chemical, and radiation hazards as well as blood and body fluids on a continuous basis; therefore, protective clothing must be worn as necessary.
• Operates all equipment necessary to perform the job.

This job description indicates the general nature and level of work expected of the incumbent. It is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities required of the incumbent. Incumbent may be required to perform other related duties.