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How much do nursing professional development specialist jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 2, 2026, the average yearly pay for nursing professional development specialist in the United States is $81,632.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $51,500.00 and $99,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a nursing professional development specialist?

A Nursing Professional Development Specialist (NPDS) is a registered nurse who focuses on enhancing the professional growth and education of nursing staff. They develop, implement, and evaluate training programs, onboarding processes, and competency assessments to ensure nurses provide high-quality patient care. NPDS professionals collaborate with healthcare leaders, mentor staff, and integrate evidence-based practices to improve nursing performance. Their role is essential in fostering continuous learning and professional excellence within healthcare organizations.

What does a nursing professional development specialist do?

A typical day for a Nursing Professional Development Specialist involves planning and delivering educational programs, onboarding new nursing staff, and assessing ongoing learning needs within the organization. You may facilitate workshops, lead simulation sessions, develop curriculum, and collaborate closely with clinical educators, nurse managers, and frontline staff. The role also includes evaluating program effectiveness, staying updated on best practices, and ensuring regulatory compliance. Your efforts directly enhance nursing competency and patient care throughout the healthcare facility.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a nursing professional development specialist?

To excel as a Nursing Professional Development Specialist, you need a strong background in nursing practice, adult education principles, and clinical teaching, typically supported by a BSN or MSN and active RN licensure. Familiarity with learning management systems (LMS), simulation technologies, and certifications such as Nursing Professional Development Certification (NPD-BC) is highly beneficial. Outstanding communication, leadership, and organizational skills help you effectively mentor, motivate, and coordinate staff education. These competencies ensure you can design impactful training, support nursing staff growth, and uphold high standards of patient care and nursing practice.

How much do nursing professional development specialists make?

Nursing professional development specialists typically earn a median annual salary of around $80,000, with salaries ranging from approximately $60,000 to $100,000 depending on experience, location, and certifications. They often work in healthcare facilities, requiring strong communication and teaching skills, and may hold certifications such as the ANCC Nursing Professional Development Certification.
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Nursing Professional Development Specialist jobs near you
Infographic showing various Nursing Professional Development Specialist job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 90% Full Time, and 10% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $81,632 per year, or $39.2 per hour.

Nursing Professional Development Specialist

Akron Children's Hospital

Akron, OH

Full-time

Re-posted 22 days ago

Akron Children's Hospital rating

7.4

Company rating: 7.4 out of 10

Based on 97 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

345th of 1,064 rated hospitals

Job description

Inpatient Pediatric Behavioral Health experience required
one (1) year of NPD experience preferred 
Summary:
The Nursing Professional Development (NPD) Specialist is responsible for enhancing the professional growth and development of nursing staff through educational programs, training sessions, and continuous learning opportunities. The NPD Specialist will collaborate with nursing leadership to identify educational needs, develop curricula, and implement strategies to improve nursing practice and patient care outcomes.

Responsibilities:

• The NPD specialist advances the profession by contributing to the professional development of others, supporting collaborative relationships and supporting life-long learning. 

• Uses the educational design process to bridge the knowledge, skills and practice gaps identified through needs assessment. 

• Influences the inter-professional practice and learning environments, the NPD specialty, and the profession of nursing and healthcare through collaboration with leadership in planning and decision making to achieve desired results. 

• Actively works to transform processes at all levels through inspiration, initiation, adoption and sustainment of and adaptation to change using project management and improvement processes. 

• Promotes the generation and dissemination of new knowledge and the use of evidence to advance NPD practice, guide clinical practice and improve patient care. 

• Actively supports, promotes, and demonstrates nursing professional development as a nursing practice specialty through promotion of research, EBP, and QI. 

• Supports the transitions of nurses and other healthcare team members across learning and practice environments, roles and professional stages. 

• Other duties as required. 

Other information:

Technical Expertise

  1. Experience in project management with interdisciplinary team is preferred.
  2. Experience in data analysis and presentations is preferred.
  3. Experience working with all levels within an organization is required.
  4. Experience in healthcare is required.
  5. Proficiency in MS Office [Outlook, Excel, Word] or similar software is required.

Education and Experience

  1. Education: Master's degree in nursing or related field or BSN and in process of attaining master's degree in nursing or related field. Completion of Nurse Education track of MSN program is preferred.
  2. Certification: Registered Nurse licensure is required; BLS certification is required; PALS certification may be required by area of service. Professional Nursing certification preferred.
  3. Years of relevant experience: Minimum 3 years required.
  4. Years of experience supervising: None.

Full Time

FTE: 1.000000


Status: Onsite


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About Akron Children's Hospital

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Akron Children's Hospital has been caring for children since 1890, and our pediatric specialties are ranked among the nation's best by U.S. News & World Report. With two hospital campuses, regional health centers and more than 50 primary and specialty care locations throughout Ohio, we're making it easier for today's busy families to find the high-quality care they need. In 2020, our health care system provided more than 1.1 million patient encounters. We also operate neonatal and pediatric units in the hospitals of our regional health care partners. Every year, our Children's Home Care Group nurses provide thousands of in-home visits, and our School Health nurses manage clinic visits for students from preschool through high school. With our Quick Care Online virtual visits and Akron Children's Anywhere app, we're here for families whenever and wherever they need us. Learn more at akronchildrens.org.

Industry

Hospitals

Company size

5,001 - 10,000 Employees

Headquarters location

Akron, OH, US

Year founded

1890

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