The Nursing Professional Practice Specialist is responsible for facilitating the development and implementation of the Professional Practice Model and Care Delivery System for all clinical areas across assigned areas of responsibility. This role serves as a culture and change strategist to advance the practice of professional nursing and achievement of the Bon Secours Mercy Key Performance Indicators. The Practice Specialist elevates the practice of nursing through facilitation and involvement in: the clinical advancement program, shared decision making, peer review, professional and recruitment/retention strategies (i.e. Nurse Residency Program) and other strategies to create a culture of nursing excellence. As the organization’s site and survey coordinator for nursing satisfaction, and nursing sensitive quality indicators, this role collaborates with the chief nursing officer and quality analytics teams in the collection, analysis and dissemination of nurse sensitive indicator data.
Travel to all Bon Secour Mercy Health Facilities is required as needed. Associate must live within BSMH footprint.
Essential Job Functions
Coordinates the organization’s magnet processes as the onsite expert and resource for ANCC Magnet Program® and other nursing designations (Pathways to Excellence, Beacon, Lantern etc.).
Serves as the liaison between the organization and the ANCC Magnet®, Pathways to Excellence or other nursing Program Office in collaboration with the market leader and facility CNO.
Coordinates the process for Magnet® or other nursing recognition program gap analysis and proposes action plans for identified gaps. In collaboration with facility nursing leadership develops strategies to implement the Chief Nurse’s vision and plans for attaining/retaining Magnet® and/or other recognition.
Recommends and ensures organizational initiatives and professional nursing concepts, including Magnet® standards, are integrated into shared governance, peer review, clinical advancement, Nurse Residency, nurse leader development, and other nursing programs.
Coordinates and facilitates the review and editing for all materials submitted to the Magnet® or other nursing credentialing body. Directs the Magnet® site visit in collaboration with the Chief Nurse and Shared Governance Council structure.
Serves as an educational expert in developing, implementing, and evaluating staff/interdisciplinary education related to the Magnet® model. Facilitates the application of the Magnet® standards to the work environment and clinical practice through collaboration with facility clinical nursing leadership.
Facilitates the nursing shared governance model and nursing advancement programs. Promotes the professional image of nursing, and leads inter-professional collaboration activities to ensure the delivery of high quality clinical care.
Serves as the administrative liaison for the facility/market nurse clinical advancement program under the guidance of facility chief nursing leadership and the market leader for Nursing Practice and Education. Ensures the program aligns with the Magnet model to drive excellence in nursing and organizational outcomes.
In collaboration with the facility CNO, coordinates the nursing satisfaction annual survey. Disseminates facility results and serves as an internal consultant to nursing leadership in the development of facility/unit based action plans, as well as celebratory outcomes.
Collaborates with nurse leaders to sustain and improve professional nursing structures and processes to promote a system approach to professional nursing practice resulting in outstanding patient outcomes. Identifies gaps in nursing knowledge, skills, and/or practice and works with Director of Nursing Practice and Education to create a plan to address gaps. Provides evidence to support educational content through literature reviews, professional practice standards and specialty organization standards.
Participates in the evaluation of nursing quality data and application of evidence-based practices to improve nursing practice, patient outcomes, and patient experience data in order to exceed the national best practice benchmarks. Supports nursing leadership in monitoring compliance with nursing sensitive outcomes related to national standards of nursing practice through coaching, consultation and use of data. Provides outcome data to support evaluation of educational programs
Develops and manages relationships with schools of nursing to promote the Bon Secours Mercy Health mission and pipeline of talent. Collaborates with school of nursing programs to provide educational opportunities and work with nurse leaders to improve the clinical experience of nursing students within the organization.
Works with system resources to provide communication and articles to marketing team for monthly newsletters, updates and the annual nursing report.
Promotes professional growth of nurses by mentoring nurses to achieve specialty certification, advanced degrees, and submit evidence based abstracts to gain opportunities for presentations at local, state, and national nursing conferences.
Education Qualifications
Required Minimum Education:
Graduate Degree (Masters)
Specialty/Major
Nursing or related field
Preferred Education
Post Graduate Degree (Ph.D.)
Specialty/Major
Or DNP
Licensing/ Certification –
Licensure/Certification Required
Registered Nurse
Licensure/Certification Preferred
Nurse leader and/or professional development
Minimum Qualifications
Minimum Years and Type of Experience
5 years related experience including 2 years in leadership role with significant business impact
Other Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required
Experience with the Magnet and/or Pathways to Excellence recognition programs; expert writing and editing skills; strong written and verbal communication skills.
Other Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Preferred
Experience as a Magnet Program Director will be strongly considered
Many of our opportunities reward* your hard work with:
Comprehensive, affordable medical, dental and vision plans
Prescription drug coverage
Flexible spending accounts
Life insurance w/AD&D
Employer contributions to retirement savings plan when eligible
Paid time off
Educational Assistance
And much more
- Benefits offerings vary according to employment status
All applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, genetic information, or protected veteran status, and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability. If you’d like to view a copy of the affirmative action plan or policy statement for Mercy Health – Youngstown, Ohio or Bon Secours – Franklin, Virginia; Petersburg, Virginia; and Emporia, Virginia, which are Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Employers, please email [email protected]. If you are an individual with a disability and would like to request a reasonable accommodation as part of the employment selection process, please contact The Talent Acquisition Team at [email protected]