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Nurse Professional Development Jobs in Tennessee

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Nurse Professional Development information

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$14

$34

$65

How much do nurse professional development jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 26, 2026, the average hourly pay for nurse professional development in Tennessee is $34.94, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $25.29 and $38.85 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a nurse professional development specialist?

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 skills and qualifications are needed to thrive as a nurse professional development specialist?

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 specialist 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 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.

What does a nurse professional development specialist do?

A nurse professional development specialist designs and implements educational programs to enhance nurses' skills and knowledge. They assess training needs, develop curricula, and facilitate continuing education to ensure compliance with healthcare standards and improve patient care. This role often requires certification and strong communication skills within healthcare environments.

What is an example of professional development in nursing?

An example of professional development in nursing is completing continuing education courses or obtaining certifications such as Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) to enhance clinical skills. Nurses may also participate in workshops, attend conferences, or pursue advanced degrees to stay current with best practices and improve patient care.

What is considered professional development for nurses?

Professional development for nurses includes ongoing education such as attending workshops, earning certifications, participating in training programs, and pursuing advanced degrees to enhance clinical skills and knowledge. It also involves staying current with healthcare practices, regulations, and technology to improve patient care and meet licensure requirements.

What are popular job titles related to Nurse Professional Development jobs in Tennessee?

For Nurse Professional Development jobs in Tennessee, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What cities in Tennessee are hiring for Nurse Professional Development jobs?

Cities in Tennessee with the most Nurse Professional Development job openings:

Infographic showing various Nurse Professional Development job openings in Tennessee as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 92% Full Time, and 8% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $72,674 per year, or $34.9 per hour.

PICU Professional Development Specialist, Full Time, Days

Knoxville, TN


East Tennessee Children's Hospital
Health Care and Social Assistance • 1 - 5K employees

6.6

Company rating: 6.6 out of 10

Based on 28 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

682nd of 1,064 rated hospitals

People enjoy working here

Respectful managers

Good training


Full-time

Posted 15 days ago


Job description

BASIC PURPOSE OF THE JOB

Responsible for assessing needs, planning, evaluating and implementing orientation and education programs for nursing units, including input into new employee orientation, and assistance with nurse residency program. Coordinates unit specific educational initiatives with department leadership. Evaluates staff's ongoing competency and development needs. Coordinates and networks with centralized education department on hospital wide nursing education activities.

REPORTS TO
  • Nurse Manager/Nursing Director
JOB REQUIREMENTS

Supervisory Responsibilities: NO

Minimum Education: Bachelors Degree required; Masters Degree preferred.

Degree: Degree in Nursing Required. Degree preferred in Nursing, Education, Organizational Management or related field.

License/Certification Required: Registered Professional Nurse currently licensed in Tennessee. BLS and PALS/NRP Provider status required. BLS instructor required within one year of hire. PALS/NRP instructor preferred. Certification in Nursing Staff Development desired

Minimum Work Experience: Minimum 3 years professional nursing experience required and 1 year documented training-related experience such as content expert activities/precepting, etc.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES
  • Educators should demonstrate knowledge of appropriate methods of delivery of information and the ability to develop and facilitate relevant and effective education for adult learners.
  • Other important skills include mentoring and fostering empowerment.
  • Educational experience/nursing experience to the specific nursing department/specialty needs.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
  • Develops annual outcomes- focused educational strategic plan with input from nurse manager/nursing director and clinical education coordinator, based on organizational and unit specific needs: Implements plan and activities using principles of quality, project and systems management. Evaluates progress toward attainment of goals: professional, unit, department, according to organizational strategic plan. Assures all necessary education is available and documented. Integrates research and evidence-based findings into practice.
  • Participates in preceptor educational programs and provides on-going support to preceptor. Coaches and develops unit staff as preceptors and mentors.
  • Performs assessments, analyzes issues, trends,and supporting data related to educational needs and other pertinent situations. This includes needs of the individuals, the organization, related community groups, and specific unit nursing needs.
  • Acts as a resource and liaison to organization: Participates in hospital committees and activities to assess educational needs and provide training and development input, in collaboration with unit leadership and clinical education coordinator. Serves as an effective change agent.
  • Collaborates with unit leadership to determine and maintain clinical competence of staff per unit standards. Functions in a coaching and mentoring capacity to enhance/influence the professional growth/development of others. Coordinates and actively participates in unit based orientation with licensed and non-licensed staff within the department of nursing.
  • Performs staff nurse duties, as necessary for education and training and to meet departmental/unit needs.
  • Serves as the designated CBISA reporter for the department. Reports benefit activities, communicates benefit stories, calculates event detail and enters information into Lyon Software (CBISA) program. Completes reports monthly with an understanding that all fiscal year entries be completed no later than August 1 of the next fiscal year.
  • Integrates Patient & Family-Centered Care and Service Excellence expectations in the development of educational initiatives and activities. Advocates for the protection, rights and opportunities of learners.
  • Establishes collegial partnerships contributing to the professional development of peers, students, colleagues, and others.
  • Continuously displays a "can do" attitude within the department and across departmental lines to contribute to and enhance the effectiveness of others.
  • Maintains current knowledge and competency in professional development practice through participation in continuing education activities.
  • Participates in self evaluation of his/her own practice in relation to professional practice standards and guidelines through activities such as peer review and solicitation of feedback from learners and colleagues. Maintains open communication using the appropriate chain of command regarding issues.
  • Willingly assumes all other duties and responsibilities as necessary.
  • Utilizes hospital resources and time respectfully and accountably.
  • Considers factors related to safety, effectiveness, and cost in regard to professional development activities and expected outcomes.
  • Contributes to the budget process through planning and requests for human, financial and material resources necessary to meet identified needs.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
  • Note: Reasonable accommodations may be made for individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position.
  • Light lifting, pushing and pulling is required for 10-20 lbs occasionally and frequent moving of objects of less than 10 lbs is required. Frequent sitting with some walking, standing, squatting, bending and reaching is required. Keyboard/computer use and/or repetitive motions may be required.

Come work where you can make a difference everyday.



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