Director, System Nursing Education & Professional Development

Aspirus Health

Wausau, Wisconsin

Kirby Bates Associates has been exclusively retained by Aspirus Health to conduct a search for their next Director, System Nursing Education & Professional Development.

Aspirus Health is a non-profit, community-directed health system, with a network of 19 hospitals, clinics, post-acute care facilities, and a health plan dedicated to providing high-quality, compassionate care to patients across Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. The organization is committed to delivering innovative healthcare services, advancing patient safety, and promoting clinical excellence through its team of dedicated healthcare professionals.

Aspirus Health is seeking a visionary leader to oversee nursing education and professional development across the integrated healthcare system. This role is pivotal in aligning education and development initiatives for nursing professionals in acute, ambulatory, home health, and hospice settings. The Director will lead programs to enhance orientation, onboarding, competency assessment, and continuing education. Leveraging a data-driven approach, this leader will collaborate with nursing leadership and quality improvement teams to foster evidence-based practice and optimize care delivery, patient outcomes, and staff retention.

The Director will manage a team of nursing professional development coordinators and clinical educators, ensuring programs are designed using contemporary adult learning principles and innovative strategies. This role serves as a key liaison to academic institutions and organizational stakeholders, promoting certification and professional growth opportunities. Additionally, the Director will track outcomes to demonstrate value, improve care delivery, and align education initiatives with Aspirus Health’s strategic goals.

Opportunity Highlights:  

• Strategic Leadership Across a Comprehensive Health System
  In a newly created position, lead nursing education and professional development initiatives across Aspirus Health’s expansive network, encompassing acute, ambulatory, home health, and hospice care.
• Innovative Approach to Education and Development
  Drive forward-thinking strategies, integrating evidence-based practices and contemporary instructional design to address the evolving complexities of healthcare in collaboration with nursing and operational leaders.
• Engaging, Growth-Oriented Culture
  Thrive in a dynamic environment that values innovation and measurable outcomes. Aspirus offers robust opportunities for professional development, career advancement, and leader investment.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s and master’s degrees in nursing required. Master’s in nursing education and/or DNP preferred.
• CNE and/or NPD-BC certifications highly desired.
• Minimum of five years direct clinical care experience and three years of experience as a nursing educator or nursing professional development coordinator required.
• Minimum of three years’ progressive leadership experience in education in an integrated health system.

To learn more about this exciting opportunity, please contact:

EEO Statement

Kirby Bates Associates is an EEO/AA Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity and expression, national origin, age, disability or protected veteran status. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all of our associates.

About Kirby Bates Associates, LLC

Led and operated by successful healthcare executives, Kirby Bates Associates drives organizations to achieve sustainable outcomes and advance organizations’ key initiatives through Executive Search, Interim Leadership and Executive Advisory Services. Kirby Bates has the firsthand clinical operations experience to recognize organizational challenges, understand their implications and present mission, margin, results-focused solutions. It is known nationally for its inclusive approaches and the clinical, operational, and financial acumen it brings to each engagement.

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