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Nurse Professional Development Jobs in Wisconsin

The System Educator-RN is adapted from the Association for Nursing Professional Development (ANPD): Scope and Standards of Practice 3rd Edition (2016). Other duties as assigned. EXPERIENCE ...

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Nurse Professional Development information

See Wisconsin salary details

$16

$38

$73

How much do nurse professional development jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 25, 2026, the average hourly pay for nurse professional development in Wisconsin is $38.86, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $28.12 and $43.17 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 Wisconsin?

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

What job categories do people searching Nurse Professional Development jobs in Wisconsin look for?

The top searched job categories for Nurse Professional Development jobs in Wisconsin are:

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

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

Infographic showing various Nurse Professional Development job openings in Wisconsin as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $80,820 per year, or $38.9 per hour.

Professional Development Nurse, PDN (Nurse Educator) | Ambulatory Clinics

Sparta, WI • On-site


Gundersen Health System
Health Care and Social Assistance • 5 - 10K employees

6.7

Company rating: 6.7 out of 10

Based on 90 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

531st of 893 rated healthcare providers

People enjoy working here

Recommended by students

Recommended by parents


$81K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Retirement

Posted 14 days ago


Job description

Love + medicine is who we are, it's what we do, it's why people want to work here. If you're looking for a job to love, apply today.

Scheduled Weekly Hours:

40

We're not just filling positions, we're building careers. At Emplify Health, we care for our teams, while they care for their communities. Whether you are just starting out or looking for a change, Emplify Health supports you now and into the future. Join us and find out how a little empathy changes everything.

Emplify Health by Gundersen is seeking a full-time RN, Professional Development Nurse (Nurse Educator) to work with Ambulatory Care Departments. This is your opportunity to work in a highly adaptable and mission-driven organization while doing the work you love in the beautiful Coulee region.


What you will do:

  • Fulfill a 1.0 FTE, salaried role

  • Support orientation and onboarding of new staff

  • Evaluate nursing practice, assess practice gaps, identify learning needs, participate in process improvement projects and initiatives both within area of responsibility and at the system level

  • Serves the Tomah and Sparta primary care clinics, along with select specialty clinics. This position also provides monthly on-site support at two affiliate locations: Moundview in Friendship, WI, and St. Joe's in Hillsboro, WI.

  • There is occasional travel to Onalaska and La Crosse for meeting or classes.

  • Collaborate with interdisciplinary team members including other professional development nurses, clinical managers, clinicians, quality nurses & informatics nurses

  • Travel to other Gundersen locations as required

What you need:

  • Bachelor's Degree in Nursing required

  • Master's degree in Nursing required within 5 years

  • 3-4 years of RN experience or equivalent required; ambulatory care RN experience preferred

  • RN licensure to practice in the state of Wisconsin upon hire

What you will get:

  • $81,244.80/year, plus more based on years of experience

  • Gundersen's generous compensation and benefit package, including our top-rated retirement plan

  • Growth opportunities and access to Gundersen's Career Development Center to help you navigate your career

Emplify Health, a partnership of Bellin Health and Gundersen Health System, is a leading not-for-profit, patient-centered healthcare network based in Green Bay and La Crosse, Wisconsin. With 11 hospitals and over 100 clinics, we serve 67 cities across Wisconsin, Iowa, Minnesota, and Michigan's Upper Peninsula. Join us in making a meaningful difference in the lives of our patients and communities.

If you need assistance with any portion of the application or have questions about the position, please contact HR-Recruitment@gundersenhealth.org or call 608-775-0267.

We inspire your best life by relentlessly caring, learning and innovating. This is our purpose. Together with our values - belonging, respect, excellence, accountability, teamwork and humility - our pillars set our foundation and our future.

Equal Opportunity Employer


Gundersen Health System logo

About Gundersen Health System

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Gundersen Health System is an award winning, physician-led, integrated healthcare system employing nearly 900+ clinicians. Our mission is to distinguish ourselves through excellence in patient care, education, research and improved health in the communities we serve. A rewarding practice and an excellent quality of life awaits.

Industry

Health care and social assistance

Company size

5,001 - 10,000 Employees

Headquarters location

La Crosse, WI, US

Year founded

1891


What Gundersen Health System employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

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