Nursing Professional Development Specialist (RN)
- RN license
How this pay compares
This posting states $44.15–$66.25 an hour. Open nurse educator jobs in Illinois post a median of $50.35 an hour, the middle half $45.31–$51.38, across 22 jobs that state their pay, so this one is above the middle half of what they post. Nurse educators employed in Illinois earn a median of $46.15 an hour (source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics), according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025) (source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics).
Nurse educators in Illinois: pay by town and employer
The Registered Nurses & LPNs job market: pay, applicant demand and hiring, researched nightly
Registered nurse and LPN jobs in our research
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- Applicant demand per open job on this site (1.00x is the average job): Index 0.46x · Clicks 134
- How often these jobs state their pay: Jobs stating any pay 51.1% · Stating an hourly rate 31.4%
From every open job we read and every apply click on this site, as of 6 Nov 2026. Every figure for Registered nurse and LPN jobs
About the job
Department:
34003 Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital - Clinical Nurse Specialists
Status:
Full time
Benefits Eligible:
Yes
Hou rs Per Week:
40
Schedule Details/Additional Information:
Primarily day shift
Pay Range
$44.15 - $66.25
Nursing Professional Development Specialist (RN)
Obstetrics
Good Shepherd Hospital, Barrington
Full Time
Job Summary
Responsible for developing, implementing and leading evidence-based, quality educational programs and activities which promote individual development and competency among nursing department personnel. Develops, coordinates and implements activities for orientation/onboarding, nursing application (practice, policy, products) and continuing education/professional development related to system, site and/or specialty. Provides clinical and educational expertise that directly or indirectly influences nurses and healthcare personnel, systems, and community. Designs, implements, and evaluates educational programs that reflect organizational vision and values with awareness of current healthcare trends. Uses the roles of advisor, change agent, collaborator, communicator, consultant, facilitator, leader, mentor, researcher to impact patient safety and quality outcomes through professional development initiatives. Promotes the generation and dissemination of new knowledge and use of evidence to guide clinical practice and improve patient care while advancing professional development. The role may be based at the system, at the site reporting to the system or at the site reporting to the respective site and may teach, develop or support NEPD programs at the site, region or system level.
Major Responsibilities
- Through application of ANPD principles and acting in the roles of advisor, change agent, collaborator, communicator, consultant, facilitator, leader, mentor, researcher the team member applies advanced knowledge of nursing in the delivery of evidenced-based nursing and education interventions using the educational design process to bridge the knowledge, skills, and/or practice gaps identified through a needs assessment.
- Collects data and information to validate an identified gap in professional practice and to determine the specific knowledge, skill, or practice deficit or opportunity needed. Investigates issues, trends, and supporting data to determine the needs of individuals, organizations, and communities (prioritizing macrosystem needs).
- Analyzes cost and anticipated return on investment for learning activities, programs, and projects. Transforms processes at multiple levels through inspiration, initiation, adoption, and sustainment of and adaptation to change using project management and improvement processes.
- Develops context-specific outcomes based on organizational stakeholders’ and learners’ values, goals, current evidence, and regulations. Establishes a plan that prescribes strategies, alternatives, and resources to achieve expected outcomes. Incorporates theories pertaining to learning and behavioral change while designing educational materials and programs.
- Promotes the generation and dissemination of new knowledge and use of evidence to guide clinical practice, improves patient care and foster life long learning. Role models practices for creating and sustaining positive learning and practice environments.
- Assesses learner characteristics, including learning styles and learning needs for program development. Creates an effective learning environment, demonstrates proficiency in use of technology. Evaluates the outcomes of staff education, functions in the roles of both teacher and facilitator. Implements a variety of teaching strategies tailored to the learner’s characteristics, learning needs, cultural perspectives, and outcome objectives. Plans programs that are culturally relevant and that incorporate concepts of multicultural and multigenerational education.
- Advises in the design, development, implementation, and evaluation of materials, learning environments (i.e. virtual), and teaching strategies appropriate to the situation and learner’s developmental level, learning needs, readiness, ability to learn, and culture.
- Exhibits system thinking throughout the planning process. Develops partnerships to enhance health care through interprofessional initiatives (i.e. quality improvement, organizational excellence initiatives) and coordinates integrated educational services.
- Supports the transition of nurses and other healthcare team members across learning and practice environments, roles, and professional stages. Mentors, guides, and supports NEPD generalist as applicable.
Licensure, Registration, and/or Certification Required
- Registered Nurse license issued by the state in which the team member practices, and
- Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) certification issued by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), or
- Nursing Professional Development (RN-BC) certification issued by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) needs to be obtained within 6 months.
Education Required
- Master's Degree in Nursing, or
- Bachelor's Degree in Nursing, and Master's Degree in Education or related field.
Experience Required
- Typically requires 3 years of experience in a clinical nursing role that includes experiences in adult teaching or training, and/or developing educational programs
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities Required
- Must be knowledgeable in principles of adult learning theory and capable of creative planning, coordinating, and overseeing educational and orientation programs.
- Proficient at incorporating adult learning principles, online and in person teaching methods to maximize learning and the application of that learning.
- Excellent written and oral communications including strong presentation/speaking skills.
- Excellent interpersonal, negotiation, planning and problem solving skills.
- Critical thinking and analytical skills.
- Proficient in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
Physical Requirements and Working Conditions
- Generally exposed to a normal office environment.
- Must have functional speech, hearing, and senses to allow effective communication.
- Position requires travel, may be exposed to road and weather hazards.
- Operates all equipment necessary to perform the job.
This job description indicates the general nature and level of work expected of the incumbent. It is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities required of the incumbent. Incumbent may be required to perform other related duties.
Our Commitment to You
Advocate Health offers a comprehensive suite of Total Rewards: benefits and well-being programs, competitive compensation, generous retirement offerings, programs that invest in your career development and so much more – so you can live fully at and away from work, including:
Compensation
- Base compensation listed within the listed pay range based on factors such as qualifications, skills, relevant experience, and/or training
- Premium pay such as shift, on call, and more based on a teammate's job
- Incentive pay for select positions
- Opportunity for annual increases based on performance
Benefits and more
- Paid Time Off programs
- Health and welfare benefits such as medical, dental, vision, life, and Short- and Long-Term Disability
- Flexible Spending Accounts for eligible health care and dependent care expenses
- Family benefits such as adoption assistance and paid parental leave
- Defined contribution retirement plans with employer match and other financial wellness programs
- Educational Assistance Program
Note: Eligibility for programs listed above may depend on your FTE or status (e.g., full-time, part-time, per diem, temporary, etc.); please ask a Recruiter for more information during an interview.
About Advocate Health
Advocate Health is the third-largest nonprofit, integrated health system in the United States, created from the combination of Advocate Aurora Health and Atrium Health. Providing care under the names Advocate Health Care in Illinois; Atrium Health in the Carolinas, Georgia and Alabama; and Aurora Health Care in Wisconsin, Advocate Health is a national leader in clinical innovation, health outcomes, consumer experience and value-based care. Headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, Advocate Health services nearly 6 million patients and is engaged in hundreds of clinical trials and research studies, with Wake Forest University School of Medicine serving as the academic core of the enterprise. It is nationally recognized for its expertise in cardiology, neurosciences, oncology, pediatrics and rehabilitation, as well as organ transplants, burn treatments and specialized musculoskeletal programs. Advocate Health employs 155,000 teammates across 69 hospitals and over 1,000 care locations, and offers one of the nation’s largest graduate medical education programs with over 2,000 residents and fellows across more than 200 programs. Committed to providing equitable care for all, Advocate Health provides more than $6 billion in annual community benefits.
From Advocate Health's job posting, checked 6 Nov 2026. The employer's own page is the final word on requirements and availability.
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About Advocate Health
Advocate Health is a nonprofit health system (Atrium Health, Advocate Health Care, Aurora Health Care) with 69 (source: Advocate Health, About Us) hospitals and 1,000+ (source: Advocate Health, About Us) sites of care in Alabama, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, North Carolina, South Carolina and Wisconsin. Source: Advocate Health, About Us
Based in Charlotte, NCHires in North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Illinois, WisconsinPay on its listings: 55.1% of its open jobs state an hourly rate
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