Professional Development Associate: Results of a National Survey.
Tina Spagnola1, Pamela S Dickerson, Mary G Harper
1Tina Spagnola, MSN, RN-BC, NE-BC, is Education Program Coordinator, Association for Nursing Professional Development, Clearwater, Florida. Pamela S. Dickerson, PhD, RN-BC, FAAN, is Director, Professional Development for the Montana Nurses Association, Clancy. Mary G. Harper, PhD, RN-BC, is the Director of Nursing Professional Development, Association for Nursing Professional Development, Clearwater, Florida.
Journal for Nurses in Professional Development
|January 5, 2019
Summary
The professional development associate role lacks formal description, impacting nursing professional development departments. Standardization of titles, responsibilities, and competencies is crucial for quality, efficiency, and improved outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Nursing Professional Development
- Healthcare Administration
- Organizational Behavior
Background:
- The professional development associate (PDA) role is common in nursing departments but lacks formal definition.
- This ambiguity can hinder the effectiveness and efficiency of professional development initiatives.
- A clear understanding of the PDA role is essential for quality healthcare education.
Purpose of the Study:
- To formally describe the professional development associate role.
- To identify current responsibilities, extent of the role, and required competencies.
- To provide a foundation for standardizing the PDA position.
Main Methods:
- A survey was distributed to 521 individuals in professional development associate positions.
- Data collected focused on the scope of responsibilities and required qualifications.
- Analysis aimed to identify commonalities and variations in the role.
Main Results:
- The survey revealed significant variation in titles, responsibilities, and required competencies across institutions.
- A lack of standardization was identified as a key issue.
- There is a clear need for defined role parameters.
Conclusions:
- Formal description and standardization of the professional development associate role are necessary.
- Standardization will enhance the quality and efficiency of nursing professional development departments.
- Strengthening the PDA role is vital for improving healthcare education outcomes.
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