Nursing Professional Development / Staff Development Coordinators

Members of nursing staff are a significant, if not arguably the most important, human resource employed by modern day health systems since hospitals and other healthcare facilities exist chiefly for the provision of nursing care. In other words, these facilities would cease to exist without staff such as the licensed nurses, nursing assistants and technicians who provide patient care.

It is imperative that these members of nursing staff have a continual stream of education, training, feedback and other tools at their disposal to cultivate professional development. Thus, the nursing staff development coordinator (also known as the director of staff development or DSD) is a multifaceted professional who possesses a vital role in today's healthcare organizations.

The American Nurses Association (ANA) defines staff development as "a process consisting of orientation, inservice education, and continuing education for the purpose of promoting the development of personnel within any employment setting consistent with the goals and responsibilities of the employer."

American Nurses' Association. "Definitions and Model." Standards for Continuing Education in Nursing (Kansas City, MO: ANA, 1984): 5.

Duties

The nurse staff development coordinator (SDC) devises and helps provide education that reinforces the various skill sets of employees in the nursing department. The SDC supports, conducts and oversees an ongoing system of education for members of nursing staff with a focus on professional development. Additional responsibilities include formulating educational resources, arranging for orientation of newly hired employees, assessing the unique training needs of established staff, organizing inservices, and participating in the hiring process.

The SDC also pinpoints basic competencies, identifies appropriate preceptors, ensures that all mandatory education is delivered, and collaborates with other departments to facilitate safety training. Some organizations may require the SDC to maintain vaccination records, track employee injuries, monitor the educational budget, provide information on tuition assistance, and work closely with the infection control nurse to monitor employees' illnesses.

Work Environment

The SDC typically works during daylight hours in climate-controlled settings such as hospitals, long term care facilities, residential care facilities, and other types of heathcare settings. Occasional evening and weekend work might be required; however, the SDC usually works from Monday through Friday.

Educational Requirements

The vast majority of SDC positions require that candidates possess RN licensure; additionally, a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) degree is preferred by many companies. Furthermore, many organizations demand that candidates have several years of relevant bedside nursing experience prior to applying for these positions. Previous experience in staff development or education will definitely work to an applicant's advantage.

Salary

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, training and development managers earned a median income of $95,400 annually in 2012.

RESOURCES

Training and Development Managers : Occupational Outlook Handbook: : U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

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