Nursing Professional Development Specialist (NPDS) - HVIS

Christiana Care Health System; Newark (DE); On-site; USD 95,000 - 151,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical

Dental

Vision

Generous paid time off

Tuition assistance

403(b) retirement plan

Job summary

Christiana Care Health System is seeking a Nursing Professional Development Specialist to lead education, onboarding, professional development, and competency management across Heart & Vascular Interventional Services and Cardiac units. The NPDS partners with nursing leadership to ensure safe, high-quality care and staff readiness.

The role emphasizes educational program development, evidence-based practice, and collaboration with interdisciplinary teams to support workforce flexibility and

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) required.
• Master's degree in Nursing, Education, Healthcare Administration, or related field or current enrollment with completion within three years of hire.
• Minimum of three years of recent acute care nursing experience.
• Board Specialty Certification required (CCRN or CV is a plus).
• Current Delaware RN licensure or eligibility for Delaware licensure.

Responsibilities

• Provides leadership and oversight for education, onboarding, professional development, and competency management of nursing staff and interprofessional team members.
• Develops and evaluates orientation plans to support competency attainment and professional growth.
• Creates educational programs using adult learning principles and evidence-based instructional design.
• Assesses learning needs via quality metrics, performance data, regulatory requirements, and priorities.

Skills

Nursing leadership

Educational program design

Adult learning

Mentoring

Education

BSN

MSN or related field

DE RN licensure

Job description

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 Heart & Vascular Interventional Services, Cardiac Prep & Hold and Cardiac Short Stay Unit. 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. 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.
• 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.

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 team.

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. (CCRN or CV is a plus.)
• Demonstrated clinical expertise across multiple patient care settings.
• Current Delaware RN licensure or eligibility for Delaware 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.

Post End Date

Oct 1, 2026

EEO Posting Statement

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. To learn more about our benefits for eligible positions visit https://careers.christianacare.org/benefits-compensation/