Nursing Professional Development Specialist (NPDS) - Cecil Campus

Christiana Care Health System; Elkton, Northern (MD, KY); Hybrid; USD 95,000 - 151,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical

Dental

Vision

Paid time off

Tuition assistance

403(b) retirement plan

Job summary

Christiana Care Health System in Elkton, MD is seeking a Nursing Professional Development Specialist to lead education, onboarding, and competency management across the Emergency Department, Progressive Care Unit, Clinical Decision Unit, Short Stay Unit, and Behavioral Health Unit.

The role partners with nursing leadership to advance evidence-based practice, support role transitions, and ensure safe, high-quality care while fostering professional growth and workforce readiness.

Qualifications

• BSN required; MSN or enrollment with completion within three years.
• Minimum of three years of acute care nursing experience.
• Board Certification in a specialty required.
• Current RN licensure in Maryland or eligibility.

Responsibilities

• Facilitates onboarding and role transition for team members.
• Develops orientation plans to support competency attainment and growth.
• Creates and delivers educational programs using adult learning principles.
• Assesses learning needs via quality metrics and regulatory priorities.
• Develops and evaluates competency validation across units.
• Promotes evidence‑based practice and quality improvement initiatives.
• Collaborates with leadership and governance councils to advance practice.

Skills

Nursing leadership

Education program design

Clinical mentoring

Quality improvement

Education

BSN

Master's in Nursing/Education/Healthcare Administration

Job description

Nursing Professional Development Specialist (NPDS) –

Emergency Department, Progressive Care Unit, Clinical Decision Unit, Short Stay 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, Short Stay 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 - $151,361.60This 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.

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.