What Does a Staff Development Nurse Do?
Written by:
Wilson College
• Sep 16, 2026
Healthcare is a rapidly changing field, so nurses need to remain up to date on new developments in nursing practice. A 2026 study in the journal Nurse Education Today emphasizes the vital role that professional development plays in enabling nurses to receive training in new evidenced-based nursing practices and adapt as the healthcare needs of patients change.
Working as a staff development nurse, a position in which a nurse oversees professional development for a nursing staff, is a great way to help ensure that nurses can obtain the training they need to continue providing patients with high-quality care.
It can be helpful for any nurse interested in pursuing a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) to Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree and advancing into a professional development role to explore what staff development nurses do and how to enter the field.
The Role of a Staff Development Nurse
Working nurses know that participating in professional development is required to maintain their licenses and certifications. However, professional development also enables nurses to:
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Strengthen their patients’ health outcomes
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Learn about advancements in healthcare and new healthcare challenges
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Advance in their careers
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Build nursing soft skills in areas such as teamwork, communication, and leadership
Working in positions such as nurse educator or staff development nurse helps ensure that nurses receive the training they need. Staff development nurses in particular are responsible for overseeing the training and educational needs of a healthcare organization’s nursing staff. Their core responsibilities center on assessing nursing staff competencies, developing training programs, and participating in initiatives to improve quality of care.
Staff development nurses can work for healthcare providers such as hospitals, specialty hospitals, clinics, and other types of healthcare facilities that have a nursing staff.
Responsibilities of Staff Development Nurses
On a day-to-day basis, staff development nurses carry out the following responsibilities:
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Onboarding newly hired nurses and providing orientation programs for them
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Assessing nursing staff competencies and developing training programs to strengthen them
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Designing training programs that educate nursing staff on new developments in nursing practice
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Working on quality improvement programs for healthcare providers to provide nurses with training to strengthen the quality of care they provide
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Offering cross-training to nursing staff as they make transitions to work in different kinds of healthcare environments
How to Become a Staff Development Nurse
Becoming a staff development nurse requires an individual to satisfy certain requirements related to education and experience.
1. Earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Completing a BSN provides clinical and soft skills needed to work as a nurse. Working nurses can complete a BSN program tailored specifically to their needs. For example:
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LPNs can complete LPN to BSN degree programs
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Registered nurses (RNs) can complete RN to BSN degree programs
2. Become an RN
After completing a BSN, an aspiring staff development nurse needs to become an RN. This entails passing the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) exam, which is administered by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing.
After passing the required exam, nurses need to apply for and obtain RN licensure from the boards of nursing in the states where they plan to work.
3. Consider Earning Certifications
Earning certifications is a great way for nurses to strengthen their credentials and gain expertise to work as staff development nurses. For example, they can earn:
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Registered Nurse-Board Certified (NPD-BC) certification from the American Nurses Credentialing Center
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Certified Academic Clinical Nurse Educator (CNEcl) certification from the National League for Nursing
4. Consider Earning a Graduate Nursing Degree
Completing a graduate degree in nursing, such as a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), is another way to significantly strengthen credentials for a career working in nursing professional development. In some cases, employers may even require the staff development nurses they hire to have a relevant graduate degree.
When the Association for Nursing Professional Development (ANDP) surveyed nurses who were working in professional development in 2025, it determined that more than two-thirds of respondents had earned some type of master’s degree.
Staff Development Nurse Salary
According to the ANPD survey, nurses who were working in professional development earned an average annual salary of $122,000 in 2025. It is important to remember that salaries can vary depending on factors such as employer, geographic location, and years of experience.
Several factors indicate that the employment outlook for staff development nurses could be strong in the years to come:
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Nursing shortages: Ongoing nursing shortages continue to be a challenge for healthcare organizations. In a 2025 report, the National Center for Health Workforce Analysis estimated that shortages will continue through 2038. As healthcare organizations hire new nurses to fill vacancies, staff development nurses will be important in orienting these nurses to their new roles.
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Nursing turnover: Nursing turnover rates also pose a challenge for healthcare organizations. A survey that nurse recruitment firm NSI Nursing Solutions conducted determined that the hospital nursing turnover rate was 18.5% in 2025. Even when hospitals hire experienced nurses, they’ll need the expertise of staff development nurses to train them to work in new environments.
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New technologies: As advances in technology such as artificial intelligence (AI) continue to change the nursing profession, healthcare organizations will need staff development nurses to ensure that nurses receive the training necessary to incorporate new technologies into nursing practice.
Acquiring the Education to Work as a Staff Development Nurse Can Be a Good Career Move
Each day, staff development nurses get to make meaningful contributions to healthcare by ensuring that nurses have the training they need to provide high-quality nursing care. Becoming a staff development nurse is a great way for an experienced nurse to pursue career advancement and make a difference in nursing.
Nurses who want to pursue education that can prepare them for roles such as staff development nurse can explore the degree programs that Wilson College Online offers to learn how these programs can help them reach their career goals. These programs include:
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LPN to BSN, for LPNs who want to earn a BSN
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RN to BSN, for RNs who want to earn a BSN
Both degree programs provide nurses with the opportunity to pursue a BSN while they continue to work, helping them advance their education and prepare for career advancement.
Start on the path to enhancing your nursing expertise today.
Recommended Readings
5 Benefits of a BSN: What Nurses Should Know
How to Balance Nursing School and Work
What Do You Learn in an LPN to BSN Curriculum?
Sources:
American Nurse Journal, “2025-2026 Trends Survey”
American Nurses Credentialing Center, Nursing Professional Development Certification (NPD-BC)
Credenza, “Should You Hire a Nursing Professional Development Specialist?”
National Center for Health Workforce Analysis, Nurse Workforce Projections, 2023-2028
National Council of State Boards of Nursing, NCLEX-RN Test Plan
NSI Nursing Solutions, 2026 NSI National Health Care Retention & RN Staffing Report
