Registered Nurse (RN) - Nursing Professional Development Specialist (Wage)

Shape confident clinical practice from day one. As a Nursing Professional Development Specialist, you will help newly hired clinicians build the knowledge, skills, and confidence required to deliver safe, effective care across UVA Health. 

This wage-based RN educator opportunity combines hands-on clinical teaching, competency validation, and meaningful mentorship with a flexible schedule. Working as an extension of the Nursing Professional Development & Research team, you will support onboarding for new graduate nurses, experienced nurses, Patient Care Technicians, and other clinical-facing team members across inpatient and ambulatory practice settings. 

The Role 

Your work will establish strong clinical foundations for professionals entering UVA Health. You will welcome new hires, facilitate structured learning experiences, and guide learners through skills demonstrations and return demonstrations in a supportive environment focused on readiness for practice. 

A typical day begins at approximately 8:00 a.m. at the Transitional Care Hospital, where educators rotate among three training pods and work with groups of approximately eight new hires. You will combine instruction, observation, coaching, and assessment to help each learner progress through orientation. 

In this role, you will: 

• Facilitate onboarding and orientation programs for newly hired clinical team members 

• Teach and validate approximately 40 orientation competencies 

• Deliver hands-on clinical skills training and foundational Tier 1 nursing education 

• Lead competency stations, skills demonstrations, and return demonstrations 

• Observe clinical performance, provide real-time coaching, and document competency completion 

• Support the transition to practice for new graduate nurses, experienced nurses, Patient Care Technicians, and other clinical-facing professionals 

• Apply nursing education, staff development, clinical instruction, precepting, or training experience to create an engaging learning environment 

• Contribute to onboarding for both inpatient and ambulatory clinical practice 

• Collaborate with a professional development team committed to clinical readiness, patient safety, and learner success 

This is a primarily onsite role due to the hands-on nature of orientation

and education. Orientation classes are held weekly, offering consistent hours with flexible scheduling. Team members may work up to 12 hours per week, with the option to divide hours into shorter blocks, including four-hour shifts. Additional hours may also be available through departmental projects. 

This is a great opportunity for an experienced RN or nurse educator who enjoys teaching, mentoring, and supporting the next generation of healthcare professionals while staying connected to clinical practice. 

The role offers: 

• $57.00 per hour flat rate 

• Up to 12 hours per week 

• Flexible scheduling, including shorter shifts 

• Exposure to a variety of clinical specialties 

• Opportunities to expand your nursing education experience 

• A potential pathway to future full-time Nursing Professional Development Specialist roles 

Why UVA Health 

At UVA Health, nursing professional development is integral to clinical excellence. Your work will directly influence how new team members enter practice, develop essential competencies, and prepare to provide safe patient care throughout the health system. Within an academic health environment, you will help connect evidence-based education with the realities of inpatient and ambulatory clinical practice. 

You will join a collaborative nursing culture where education, research, quality improvement, and professional advancement are valued. UVA Health University Medical Center offers the professional depth of an academic medical center, including a Level I trauma center, Level IV NICU, and NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center. 

Highlights include: 

• An ANCC Magnet®-designated nursing environment 

• An ANCC PTAP® with Distinction accredited New Graduate Nurse Residency Program 

• A robust professional governance structure that supports nursing voice and professional practice 

• Nursing research and quality improvement resources that advance evidence-based care 

• Recognition programs that celebrate exceptional contributions, including DAISY and BEE awards 

• Exposure to a broad range of clinical specialties and healthcare professionals 

• A collaborative environment centered on education, professional growth, and clinical excellence 

• The opportunity to make a meaningful impact on patient safety through competency development 

• A flexible educator role that can complement other professional commitments 

• A potential pathway into future full-time opportunities within Nursing Professional Development 

• Relocation assistance may be available for qualified candidates. 

For nurses passionate about teaching and helping others succeed, this role offers the opportunity to turn clinical expertise into lasting impact. By preparing clinicians for practice, you will strengthen individual confidence, team readiness, and the quality of care delivered across UVA Health. 

Why People Love Living in Charlottesville 

Charlottesville offers a distinctive balance of natural beauty, culture, community, and convenience. Located near the Blue Ridge Mountains, the area provides easy access to hiking, scenic drives, and outdoor recreation, along with a vibrant food scene, independent restaurants, arts venues, live music, local shops, and the pedestrian-friendly Downtown Mall. With housing options ranging from city neighborhoods to quieter surrounding communities, Charlottesville gives healthcare professionals and families room to create a lifestyle that supports both professional purpose and time beyond work.