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Nurse Professional Development Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

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Nurse Professional Development information

See Virginia salary details

$15

$38

$71

How much do nurse professional development jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 9, 2026, the average hourly pay for nurse professional development in Virginia is $38.17, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $27.64 and $42.40 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is professional development for nurses?

Professional development for nurses involves ongoing education, training, and skill enhancement to maintain licensure, improve patient care, and stay current with healthcare practices. It often includes attending workshops, earning certifications, and participating in continuing education programs to advance their knowledge and competencies.

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 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 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 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 are popular job titles related to Nurse Professional Development jobs in Virginia? For Nurse Professional Development jobs in Virginia, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What cities in Virginia are hiring for Nurse Professional Development jobs? Cities in Virginia with the most Nurse Professional Development job openings:
Infographic showing various Nurse Professional Development job openings in Virginia as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 68% Full Time, 28% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 98% In-person, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $79,384 per year, or $38.2 per hour.

Registered Nurse, Nurse Professional Development Specialist (Educator) Emergency Dept

Sentara Healthcare

Norfolk, VA • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 19 days ago


Sentara Health rating

6.8

Company rating: 6.8 out of 10

Based on 398 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

491st of 887 rated healthcare providers


Job description

City/State
Norfolk, VA
Work Shift
First (Days)
Overview:
Registered Nurse (RN) Nursing Professional Development Specialist- Emergency Department Educator | Level I Trauma Center
Sentara Norfolk General Hospital is hiring full-time Registered Nurse, Nursing Professional Development Specialist (Educator) for our Emergency Department, home to Hampton Roads' only Level I Trauma Center. This is an opportunity to join a high-performing emergency nursing team where clinical skill, teamwork, and purpose come together to make an immediate impact for patients and families across the region.
Location: Sentara Norfolk General Hospital - Norfolk, VA
Position Status: Full-time, 40 hours per week
Shift: Days
Hours: 7:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
On Call: One Weekend approximately every 10 weeks
The Nursing Professional Development Specialist is a registered nurse with advanced expertise and clinical experience, responsible for the development, implementation, and evaluation of educational programs for nursing staff and healthcare teams. This role involves teaching advanced clinical skills, fostering professional development, and ensuring adherence to evidence-based practices. The Nursing Professional Development Specialist also designs training materials, provides mentorship, and conducts in-service education sessions to enhance nursing knowledge and performance.
Why Join the Sentara Norfolk General Emergency Department?
At Sentara Norfolk General Hospital, Emergency Department nurses care for patients in one of the region's most advanced and fast-paced clinical environments. Our 53-bed Emergency Department is equipped to manage a wide range of medical emergencies, with approximately 10% of cases related to trauma
Sentara Norfolk General Emergency Department has been recognized with the Emergency Nurses Association Lantern Award, honoring exceptional and innovative leadership, practice, education, advocacy, and research.
Education Requirements
  • Master's Level Degree, MSN in Registered Nursing Required

Certification/Licensure Requirements
  • Registered Nurse license required
  • NPD-BC Nursing Professional Development Certification- American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) Required
  • Basic Life Support (BLS) required within 90 days of hire
  • NIHSS, TCRN, SCRN, TNCC, CEN, PALS, and ACLS preferred

Experience Requirements
  • Three Years of Clinical RN experience Required
  • Emergency Department, Level 1 Trauma experience preferred
  • Process Improvement, Project Management, and Nursing Education experience strongly preferred

Sentara Norfolk General Hospital is the region's first Magnet hospital, a 525-bed medical center, a primary teaching facility, and home to the area's only Level I Trauma Center within a 126-mile region.
Incentives and Support
Sentara also offers career advancement opportunities, professional development resources, tuition assistance, certification support, and a comprehensive benefits package designed to support you and your family.
Keywords: RN, Registered Nurse, Emergency Department, ED, Emergency Room, ER, Trauma, Level I Trauma Center, Critical Care, Acute Care, CEN, TCRN, TNCC, ACLS, PALS, NIHSS, Talroo-Nursing, Monster, LinkedIn, ZipRecruiter, #LI-SM1, nurse educator, stroke, training and development, process improvement, NPD, NPD-BC Nursing Professional Development Certification, American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC)
Benefits: Caring For Your Family and Your Career
• Medical, Dental, Vision plans
• Adoption, Fertility and Surrogacy Reimbursement up to 10,000
• Paid Time Off and Sick Leave
• Paid Parental & Family Caregiver Leave
• Emergency Backup Care
• Long-Term, Short-Term Disability, and Critical Illness plans
• Life Insurance
• 401k/403B with Employer Match
• Tuition Assistance - 5,250/year and discounted educational opportunities through Guild Education
• Student Debt Pay Down - 10,000
• Reimbursement for certifications and free access to complete CEUs and professional development
• Pet Insurance
• Legal Resources Plan
• Colleagues may have the opportunity to earn an annual discretionary bonus if established system and employee eligibility criteria is met
Here at Sentara, we are committed to consistently enhancing our training, advancement tracks, work-life benefits, and more. Our goal is to make you feel more excited to be here every day!
Sentara Norfolk General Hospital, located in Norfolk, VA, is a 525-bed tertiary care facility that is home to the only Level I Adult Trauma Center and burn trauma unit in Hampton Roads, and also serves as the primary teaching hospital for Eastern Virginia Medical School.
In addition to the high-quality heart program at Sentara Heart Hospital, our facility is home to Nightingale Regional Air Ambulance and several other dedicated facilities and specialized services. As a recognized accredited Comprehensive Stroke Center, and Magnet hospital for nursing excellence, our hospital specializes in heart and vascular, neurosciences, neurosurgery, urology, oncology, spine care, advanced imaging, behavioral health, maternity, and women's health, including a state-of-the-art neonatal intensive care unit.
Sentara Health is an equal opportunity employer and prides itself on the diversity and inclusiveness of its close to an almost 30,000-member workforce. Diversity, inclusion, and belonging is a guiding principle of the organization to ensure its workforce reflects the communities it serves.
In support of our mission "to improve health every day," this is a tobacco-free environment.
For positions that are available as remote work, Sentara Health employs associates in the following states:
Alabama, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Kansas, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Minnesota, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.

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