Nursing Professional Development Specialist (NPDS) - Cecil Campus

Christiana Care Health Services, Inc.; Christiana (DE); On-site; USD 95,000 - 151,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Paid time off

Tuition assistance

403(b) retirement plan

Job summary

ChristianaCare is seeking a Nursing Professional Development Specialist (NPDS) to lead education, onboarding, and competency management across multiple units at Union Hospital's Cecil Campus in Elkton, MD. The NPDS partners with nursing leadership to advance clinical practice, support role transitions, and mentor staff for safe, high-quality patient care.

The role emphasizes collaboration with interdisciplinary teams, development of individualized orientation plans, and leadership in

Qualifications

• Required BSN.
• Master's degree in Nursing, Education, Healthcare Administration, or related field or enrollment with completion within three years of hire.
• Minimum of three years of recent acute care nursing experience.
• Board Specialty Certification required.
• Current RN licensure or eligibility for Maryland licensure.

Responsibilities

• Facilitates onboarding and role transition for team members and ensures successful integration.
• Develops and evaluates orientation plans to support competency attainment and growth.
• Creates and delivers educational programs using adult learning principles and evidence-based design.
• Assesses learning needs via quality metrics, performance data, regulatory requirements, and priorities.

Skills

Educational leadership

Onboarding

Competency management

Evidence-based practice

Mentorship

Education

BSN

Master's degree

3+ years acute care nursing

Board specialty certification

MD licensure eligibility

Job description

Job Details Nursing Professional Development Specialist (NPDS) – Emergency Department, Progressive Care Unit, Clinical Decision Unit, Specialty Surgical Unit, and Behavioral Health Unit The Nursing Professional Development Specialist (NPDS) provides leadership and oversight for the education, onboarding, professional development, and competency management of nursing staff and interprofessional team members within ChristianaCare's Emergency Department, Progressive Care Unit, Clinical Decision Unit, Specialty Surgical Unit, and Behavioral Health Unit at Union Hospital at our Cecil Campus in Elkton, Maryland. The NPDS serves as a key partner in fostering clinical excellence, supporting role transition, advancing evidence-based practice, and ensuring staff are prepared to provide safe, high-quality care across diverse clinical settings. In this role, you will support a highly flexible and dynamic workforce that serves multiple specialties and care environments. Through collaboration with nursing leadership, clinical teams, and organizational stakeholders, the NPDS promotes professional growth, workforce readiness, and exceptional patient outcomes.

Highlights

• Make a meaningful impact on patient care by supporting clinicians who provide staffing coverage across multiple inpatient and specialty practice areas.
• Partner with leaders to develop innovative educational strategies that support workforce flexibility, competency, and retention.
• Contribute to system-wide initiatives that advance nursing excellence, evidence-based practice, and clinical quality.
• Join a four-time Magnet recognized health system committed to professional growth and nursing excellence.
• Enjoy a comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, generous paid time off, tuition assistance, and a 403(b) retirement plan.

Key Responsibilities

Professional Development & Education

• Facilitates onboarding and role transition for team members, ensuring successful integration into the organization and clinical practice environment.
• Develops, coordinates, implements, and evaluates individualized orientation plans designed to support competency attainment and professional growth.
• Creates and delivers educational programs utilizing adult learning principles and evidence-based instructional design methodologies.
• Assesses learning needs through analysis of quality metrics, performance data, regulatory requirements, and organizational priorities.

Competency Management

• Develops, coordinates, and evaluates competency validation programs for staff practicing across multiple units and specialties.
• Identifies competency gaps and implements targeted educational interventions to promote safe, effective care delivery.
• Ensures ongoing compliance with organizational, regulatory, and specialty-specific competency requirements.

Evidence-Based Practice & Quality Improvement

• Promotes clinical inquiry through participation in nursing research, evidence-based practice initiatives, and dissemination of best practices.
• Mentors and coaches staff in quality improvement projects that align with departmental and organizational goals.
• Evaluates educational outcomes through quality indicators, staff performance metrics, and patient care outcomes to drive continuous improvement.

Collaboration & Leadership

• Collaborates with nursing leaders, educators, interdisciplinary teams, and key stakeholders to support operational and strategic objectives.
• Partners with Professional Governance Councils and shared decision-making structures to advance nursing practice and system-wide initiatives.
• Supports succession planning, mentorship programs, and leadership development opportunities for nursing staff.
• Serves as an educational resource and consultant for our Cecil Campus personnel and their leaders.

Education and Experience Requirements

• Required Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN).
• Master's degree in Nursing, Education, Healthcare Administration, or related field required, or current enrollment with completion within three years of hire.
• Minimum of three years of recent acute care nursing experience.
• Board Specialty Certification required.
• Demonstrated clinical expertise across multiple patient care settings.
• Current RN licensure or eligibility for Maryland licensure.

Annual Compensation Range

$94,577.60 - $151,361.60 This pay rate/range represents ChristianaCare's good faith and reasonable estimate of compensation at the time of posting. The actual salary within this range offered to a successful candidate will depend on individual factors including without limitation skills, relevant experience, and qualifications as they relate to specific job requirements.

Equal Opportunity Employer Statement

Christiana Care Health System is an equal opportunity employer, firmly committed to prohibiting discrimination, whose staff is reflective of its community, and considers qualified applicants for open positions without regard to race, color, sex, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, genetic information, gender identity or expression, age, veteran status, disability, pregnancy, citizenship status, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, or local law.

Post End Date

Nov 2, 2026

• ChristianaCare offers a competitive suite of employee benefits to maximize the wellness of you and your family, including health insurance, paid time off, retirement, an employee assistance program.

Christiana Hospital Overview

Christiana Hospital, Newark, Delaware. This 1,007-bed, 1.3-million-square-foot modern facility provides a level of care only available in large-scale teaching hospitals. Christiana Hospital includes Delaware's only Level-I Trauma center (as verified by the American College of Surgeons), which is prepared to handle the most extreme medical emergencies. In fact, it is the only Level-I Trauma center on the East Coast corridor between Baltimore and Philadelphia. Christiana Hospital has also been nationally recognized in U.S. News & World Report's Best Regional Hospitals rankings as #1 in Delaware and #3 in the Philadelphia metro area, plus High Performing in 9 Adult Procedures/Conditions Christiana Care Health System Website