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Nurse Professional Development Jobs (NOW HIRING)

The Nursing Professional Development (NPD) practitioner influences the professional practice of nursing, and other healthcare learners, to create a positive impact on the patients and families served ...

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Nurse Professional Development information

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$15

$38

$72

How much do nurse professional development jobs pay per hour?

As of May 30, 2026, the average hourly pay for nurse professional development in the United States is $38.50, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $27.88 and $42.79 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Nurse Professional Development Specialist, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Nurse Professional Development Specialist, you need a strong background in nursing practice, adult education principles, and usually a BSN or MSN along with relevant certifications such as NPD-BC. Experience with learning management systems (LMS), curriculum development, and continuing education accreditation tools is typically required. Excellent communication, leadership, and critical thinking skills help facilitate learning and support organizational goals. These competencies are essential for ensuring nurses are well-trained, up-to-date, and able to deliver safe, effective patient care.

How does a Nurse Professional Development (NPD) practitioner typically collaborate with clinical staff to improve patient care?

NPD practitioners work closely with nurses, nurse leaders, and interdisciplinary teams to assess learning needs, design educational programs, and support evidence-based practice. They often facilitate workshops, mentor new staff, and coordinate orientation or competency assessments to ensure nurses are equipped with current clinical skills. Regular collaboration with frontline staff allows NPD practitioners to identify practice gaps and implement targeted training, ultimately enhancing both staff performance and patient outcomes.

What is a Nurse Professional Development (NPD) practitioner?

A Nurse Professional Development (NPD) practitioner is a registered nurse who specializes in enhancing the professional growth and continuing education of nurses and other healthcare staff. They design, implement, and evaluate educational programs, promote evidence-based practice, and support competency development throughout a nurse's career. NPD practitioners also serve as mentors, leaders, and change agents within healthcare organizations, ensuring high-quality patient care by maintaining a well-educated nursing workforce.

What is the difference between Nurse Professional Development vs Nurse Educator?

AspectNurse Professional DevelopmentNurse Educator
CredentialsRN license, certifications in education or specialty areasRN license, advanced degrees (e.g., MSN, PhD), teaching credentials
Work EnvironmentHospitals, clinics, healthcare organizations, training departmentsAcademic settings, nursing schools, universities, healthcare training programs
Employer & Industry UsageHealthcare organizations focusing on staff training and competencyEducational institutions and academic healthcare programs
Primary FocusEnhancing staff skills, ongoing education, complianceTeaching students, curriculum development, research

While Nurse Professional Development focuses on improving the skills and knowledge of practicing nurses within healthcare settings, Nurse Educators are primarily involved in teaching nursing students and developing educational programs. Both roles require nursing credentials, but Nurse Educators typically hold advanced degrees and work in academic environments, whereas Nurse Professionals in development roles are embedded within healthcare organizations to support staff growth.

More about Nurse Professional Development jobs
What cities are hiring for Nurse Professional Development jobs? Cities with the most Nurse Professional Development job openings:
What states have the most Nurse Professional Development jobs? States with the most job openings for Nurse Professional Development jobs include:
Infographic showing various Nurse Professional Development job openings in the United States as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 4% As Needed, 62% Full Time, 15% Part Time, 4% Temporary, and 15% Contract. Highlights an 92% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $80,071 per year, or $38.5 per hour.
Nurse Professional Development Specialist / Educator

Nurse Professional Development Specialist / Educator

Hackensack Meridian Health

North Bergen, NJ

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Posted 8 days ago


Hackensack Meridian Health rating

7.8

Company rating: 7.8 out of 10

Based on 349 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

130th of 864 rated healthcare providers


Job description

Our team members are the heart of what makes us better. At Hackensack Meridian Health we help our patients live better, healthier lives — and we help one another to succeed. With a culture rooted in connection and collaboration, our employees are team members. Here, competitive benefits are just the beginning. It’s also about how we support one another and how we show up for our community. Together, we keep getting better - advancing our mission to transform healthcare and serve as a leader of positive change.

The Nurse Professional Development Specialist (NPD) is a Registered Nurse/Educator with an Advanced Nursing Degree. Has a practice specialty based on the sciences of nursing, technology, research and evidence-based practice, change, communication, leadership, and education. Have knowledge and skills in adult learning principles, nursing career development, program development and management, continuing education, and leadership responsible to create relevant and significant teaching strategies.


  • Learning Facilitator: Creates teaching/learning strategies that promote application of knowledge, skills and attitudes to practice. Builds the infrastructure to facilitate lifelong learning. Analyzes competency assessment data to identify gaps in practice. Develops educational programs to achieve patient oriented outcomes. Develops, reviews and revises nursing procedures, competency performance checklists, teaching education material both directly and on a consultation basis.
  • Partner for Practice Transitions: Plans orientation and competency requirements based on future needs of staff. Incorporates the needs of diverse nurses with varying abilities into workforce planning. Prepares staff to transition across clinical settings. Manages the practice gaps between academia and service. Creates seamless transitions in practice (TIP).
  • Change Agent: Applies change theory to support organizational innovation and change management. Supports staff as a facilitator or leader through the change process and sustainability. Serves as project manager conducting needs assessment, gap analysis, planning, implementing and evaluating program outcomes. Champions innovation.
  • Mentor: Encourages lifelong learning. Partners with staff to facilitate achievement of personal and professional goals. Empowers individual nurses to identify their learning needs. Develops relationships to increase growth capacity among learners. Coaches staff with their professional growth and role transitions. Partners with staff to achieve goals.
  • Leader: Aligns activities with organizational goals. Provides a voice in legislative, regulatory, and accrediting bodies Calculates return on investment for educational programming and project management. Measures contributions to patient safety, patient satisfaction, and quality outcomes. Participates in decision-making councils and Magnet work.
  • Champion of Scientific Inquiry: Uses research/EBP for clinical and nursing professional development practice change. Facilitates, participates in and or conducts, and/or evaluates research. Implements performance improvement activities as they related to specific focus team structure, i.e, (Critical Care, Medical-Surgical, Orientation, Women & Children, Emergency, Trauma Services, Behavioral Health, Perioperative Services, Procedural, Ambulatory and Community. Disseminates findings of inquiry. Analyzes and displays quantitative and qualitative data. Creates interventions to address gaps in knowledge, attitudes, and practice. Disseminates new knowledge to the global nursing community.
  • Patient Safety & Quality: Participates in unit specific initiatives to improve patient care outcomes and drive nursing outcomes. Chairs and or participates in hospital wide committees as assigned.
  • Adheres to HMH Organizational competencies and standards of behavior.

Other duties and/or projects as assigned.


Education, Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required:

  • Graduate Degree (Master`s or greater) in Nursing or related field. If the graduate degree is in a related field, must have a baccalaureate degree in nursing.
  • Graduate of an NLN/AACN accredited program in nursing.
  • Minimum of 3 or more years of current experience in Nursing in an acute care hospital.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
  • Proficient computer skills that may include but are not limited to Microsoft Office and/or Google Suite platforms.
  • Magnet Recognition Program knowledge.
  • Must acquire and maintain competencies, certifications and continuing education in order to meet any facility accreditation or individual licensing requirements for areas assigned. This may include Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP), and Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS).

Education, Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Preferred:

  • Previous professional development experience, teaching or education background.
  • Experience with curriculum development, evaluative methods and professional development contact hour application.

Licenses and Certifications Required:

  • NJ State Professional Registered Nurse License.
  • BLS AHA Basic Health Care Life Support HCP Certification.

Licenses and Certifications Preferred:

  • National Certification: Nursing Professional Development (NPD).
  • Professional certification in an area of specialty related to practice (staff development).

Minimum rate of $133,120 Annually
HMH is committed to pay equity and transparency for our team members. The posted rate of pay in this job posting is a reasonable good faith estimate of the minimum base pay for this role at the time of posting in accordance with the New Jersey Pay Transparency Act and does not reflect the full value of our market-competitive total rewards package.
The starting rate of pay is provided for informational purposes only and is not a guarantee of a specific offer. Posted hourly rates may be stated as an annual salary in the offer and posted annual salaries may be stated as an hourly rate in the offer, depending on the level and nature of the job duties and credentials of the candidate. The base compensation determined at the time of the offer may be different than the posted rate of pay based on a number of non-discriminatory factors, including but not limited to:
Labor Market Data: Compensation is benchmarked against market data to ensure competitiveness.
Experience: Years of relevant work experience.
Education and Certifications: Level of education attained, including specialized certifications, credentials, completed apprenticeship programs or advanced training.
Skills: Demonstrated proficiency in relevant skills and competencies.
Geographic Location: Cost of living and market rates for the specific location.
Internal Equity: Compensation is determined in a manner consistent with compensation ranges for similar roles within the organization.
Budget and Grant Funding: Departmental budgets and any grant funding associated with the job position may impact the pay that can be offered.
Some jobs may also be eligible for performance-based incentives, bonuses, or commissions not reflected in the starting rate. Certain positions may also be eligible for shift differentials for work performed on evening, night, or weekend shifts.
In addition to our compensation for full-time and part-time (20+ hours/week) job positions, HMH offers a comprehensive benefits package, including health, dental, vision, paid leave, tuition reimbursement, and retirement benefits.

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