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Nursing Professional Development Specialist

Advocate Health · Milwaukee, WI · $44.15–$66.25 an hour · Full time

Posted Sep 23, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 6, 2026

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Likely interview questions for this role

Written from this job description, not a generic list. Each one notes what the interviewer is really checking.

About your past

Tell me about a time an education project you led actually changed nursing practice. How did you measure it?

What they are checking: Whether they evaluate outcomes and impact rather than counting how many people attended training.

Tell me about a time you mentored a nurse through a tough stage of their career.

What they are checking: Whether they can support individual growth, which the posting names as part of the role.

How do you stay current on evidence-based practice in your own nursing knowledge?

What they are checking: Whether they keep their own learning active so their teaching stays accurate.

What would you do

Experienced nurses are resisting a new practice change. How do you approach them?

What they are checking: Whether they can act as a change agent by listening and building buy-in instead of forcing compliance.

How do you design education that works for nurses on nights and weekends?

What they are checking: Whether they think about access and fairness for staff who work off-shifts.

About the work

The posting says you'll work within the NPD Scope and Standards of Practice. How do those standards shape your day-to-day work?

What they are checking: Whether they know the professional framework behind nursing education and apply it in practice.

Walk me through how you would run a needs assessment for a unit with rising falls.

What they are checking: Whether they can find the real practice gap behind a problem before designing education for it.

How would you show leadership the return on investment of a learning program?

What they are checking: Whether they can connect education to cost, quality and outcome measures that leaders care about.

Aurora Sinai is a Magnet designated medical center. How does professional development support Magnet expectations?

What they are checking: Whether they understand how education ties to Magnet standards and nursing excellence.

How do you use project management or process improvement tools when planning a program?

What they are checking: Whether they plan education in a structured way with clear goals, timelines and checkpoints.

Practice this interview out loud.

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The full job description

As published by Advocate Health.

Department: 34003 Aurora Sinai Medical Center - Clinical Nurse Specialists Status: Full time Benefits Eligible: Yes Hou rs Per Week: 40 Schedule Details/Additional Information: Monday to Friday On site Business hours with flexibility required Pay Range: $44.15 - $66.25 Nursing Professional Development Specialist Aurora Sinai Aurora Sinai is a Magnet designated Medical Center with Distinction Major Responsibilities • All responsibilities are in alignment with NPD Scope and Standards of Practice, relevant regulatory and accrediting agencies, and Advocate Health policies/procedures: • Uses advanced nursing knowledge and the educational design process to implement evidence-based interventions that close knowledge, skill, and practice gaps identified through needs assessment, while functioning in roles such as advisor, change agent, collaborator, leader, and mentor. • Validates practice gaps and synthesizes data to determine learning needs at individual, organizational, and system levels. • Evaluates cost-effectiveness and ROI of learning initiatives; applies project management and process improvement to plan and implement strategies that influence nursing practice and outcomes. • Promotes role clarity, guides career progression, and evaluates the impact of development initiatives, while aligning strategies with professional standards and fostering a culture of lifelong learning. • Fosters collaborative partnerships by engaging stakeholders across disciplines to support professional development, practice change, and strategic initiatives. Builds relationships that promote shared accountability, facilitates communication, and integrates diverse perspectives to enhance learning outcomes and organizational goals. Collaborates to align educational strategies with system priorities and advocates for evidence-based practice and innovation. • Promotes a culture of inquiry by integrating evidence-based practice, research, and innovation into professional development activities. Critically appraises literature, supports the translation of evidence into practice, and encourages questioning and exploration to improve outcomes. Empowers nurses to engage in scholarly inquiry and continuous improvement through collaboration, education and participation in research. Minimum Job Requirements Education • Graduate degree in nursing or a related field. If graduate degree is not in nursing, bachelor's degree in nursing is required. Certification / Registration / License • Active, unrestricted registered nurse (RN) multi-state compact and/or single-state license with privileges to practice in the state(s) where the RN is practicing. Experience • At least 3 years nursing experience with minimum 1 year of experience working with adult learners. Knowledge / Skills / Abilities • Accountable for demonstrating both essential and advanced NPD competencies. • Excellent written and oral communications • Strong presentation/speaking skills • Critical thinking and analytical skills • Proficiency in operating computer functions (e.g. E-mail, electronic records, digital platforms, etc.) Physical Requirements and Working Conditions • This position requires travel so there will be exposure to weather and road conditions. Physical Requirements and Working Conditions: • Must be able to sit, stand, walk, lift, squat, bend, twist, and reach above shoulders during the work shift. • Must be able to: • lift up to 50 lbs. from floor to waist. • lift up to 20 lbs. over the head. • carry up to 40 lbs. a reasonable distance. • Must be able to: • - push/pull with 30 lbs. of force. • - perform a sliding transfer of 150 lbs. with a second person present. • Will be required to use foot pedals on carts or machines. • Must have functional vision and hearing. • Will be exposed to mechanical, electrical, chemical, and radiation hazards as well as blood and body fluids on a continuous basis; therefore, protective clothing must be worn as necessary. • 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. 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.

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