Question on Staff Dev

llg, PhD, RN · Jun 17, 2007

Most people get into Staff Development in 1 of 2 ways -- either they are well-respected as staff nurses and apply for an open position in their hospital ... they get a graduate degree as an educator, leader, or CNS. Unless you have a graduate degree (and sometimes, even if you do), getting an SD job usually means being in the right place at the right time and building a good professional reputation for yourself both as a clinician and as a politician.

Most SD roles require clinical knowledge, teaching skill and also strong interpersonal skills. That's why most positions are filled by people that are already "known" to the department. They pick someone they know and trust rather than someone who has taken a specific course.

So, if you are interested in a SD career, get your RN and establish yourself as a competent staff nurse. Participate in unit education activities, precept new employees, etc. and establish a strong professional reputation. Talk with the SD staff where you work and learn the "lay of the land" in your geographic area. Get at least a BSN and consider getting a graduate degree.

You should probably also be looking at the 2 major journals for nurses in SD: The Journal for Nurses in Staff Development and Continuing Education in Nursing. They will help you develop a sense of the field.

classicdame, MSN, EdD · Jun 22, 2007

I have a graduate degree and board certification in professional nursing development. I coordinate ALL the education from our small hospital's education department, even for disciplines outside nursing. Annual required education (like what to do in case of fire), inservices, orientation for new employees, orientation for students (all types), continuing education (requires specific forms for ANCC), budget for my dept and all the managerial things that go with it. I do not actually teach but a few days per month. The rest is coordinating with instructors, making sure the instructor is qualified to teach and has what is needed to be successful. I search literature (Internet) to get evidence based data when policies are written or changed. I am the school teacher for the whole hospital and really like that.

jeanrnurse · Jul 6, 2007

"Premium Member" has given a great answer. I got started by becoming a Preceptor many years ago, as a staff nurse. I had my BSN. I was lucky enough to get hired as an Instructor in Staff Dev., in a community hospital with my BSN and 5 years experience as a staff nurse in Critical Care. After 4 years in that position, I became the Coordinator in that small Staff Dev. Dept. I also went back to school and got my M.S. in Med-surg. Nursing, with a focus in Education.

My responsibilities in various Staff Dev. positions include coordinating Orientation for RNs and other nursing and non-nursing employees, annual & ongoing mandatory education for JCAHO and other issues, continuing education, hiring and managing employees, budget, educational record keeping, and other managerial responsibilities. I also became certified in Professional Development, through ANCC.

The great thing about this kind of job is that I am never bored. There is always something new to teach-new challenges--computer education has come along in the last 10 years. In my current department, mytitle is "Education Consultant", and we are responsible for education of employees throughout the hospital.

taternurse · Feb 7, 2008

HI. I agree with all the responses above. I am staff development coordinator in the LTCF where I work and I love it. I was a staff nurse in LTC for 2 years and then was a CNA instructor for 5 until the position for staff development coordinator came open. I'm not sure if you're looking to work in a hospital or LTCF, but I have an Assoc. degree and feel I am just as adequately trained in my position as those with a BSN or Masters. I do all staff education, either by teaching it myself or scheduling outside speakers. I'm also the infection control nurse for the facility & I helped develop and continue to monitor the orientation of new nursing employees. I'm currently working on improving the preceptor/mentor program for our campus. If you love to teach, you're definitely going in the right direction! It is also important as the other members said to become respected by your fellow staff. Don't fall in to the gossip trap if that is a problem at your facility or be associated with certain "cliques" because then you have the staff that will feel they cannot come to you with their problems or concerns. I am told that is what happened to the previous "owner" of my SDC position and she just didn't feel she was effective in the role anymore. Good luck!!