ANPD is pleased to welcome a new member to our nursing professional development team. Meet Liz Cambier, MSN, RN, NPD-BC, our new education program manager! Cambier is joining the NPD team of Mary Smith, MSN, RN, NPD-BC, NC-BC, AMB-BC, C-EFM, CCE, education program manager, and Naomi Fox, DNP, MSN, RN, NPD-BC, CCRN, director of education.
Cambier, originally from Rome, New York, pursued nursing as a second degree at the University of Illinois Chicago. She has experience in ICU, emergency services, and hospice nursing. She has 11 years in nursing professional development and began this journey as a professional development educator for the emergency department at Holland Hospital in Michigan.
After earning her MSN from Ferris State University and obtaining her NPD certification, Cambier transitioned into a leadership role at Holland Hospital, ultimately becoming the full-time manager of professional development education.
She has long been actively involved with ANPD and the Michigan Nursing Professional Development (MNPD) affiliate, where she is immediate past president. This involvement has brought her opportunity to present at regional and national levels, including through poster and podium presentations, keynote panel discussions, and webinars. Additionally, Cambier was part of the inaugural cohort of the ANPD NPD Leadership Academy and has served on the ANPD Convention Content Planning Committee and the Nominating Committee.
Read on to get to know Liz Cambier on a deeper level, and make sure to say hi if you see her at the 2025 ANPD Aspire Convention in Las Vegas this May!
What do you love most about being an NPD practitioner?
I was first drawn to NPD Practice when I encountered the term ‘spirit of inquiry’ in an introductory course for my MSN program. I love the challenge, the reward, and the ultimate impact of fostering a spirit of inquiry in nurses and the healthcare team. It is an honor to work alongside nurses at every stage of their career, to help identify their strengths, build confidence, and grow into their full potential.
Why are you excited to work at ANPD?
ANPD has been integral to my development as an NPD practitioner, and I have been grateful for the direct support the organization provides to NPD practitioners through programming and resources. Moving into leadership roles—formal and informal—over the past several years, I’ve gained a deeper appreciation for the ways that ANPD builds the NPD specialty as a whole through standard-setting, inquiry, and advocacy. I am looking forward to being a part of the growth of our specialty and support of the people who do the amazing work of NPD practice.
What is a highlight of your time as an ANPD member so far?
While I have enjoyed and benefited from each of the opportunities I’ve had within ANPD and our local affiliate, by far the highlight is the support and mentorship woven throughout all of those experiences. I have had incredible people walk alongside me, help me identify my strengths, and grow into my own full potential. The ‘tap on the shoulder’ and the nudges to step outside my comfort zone are invaluable.
What is your biggest professional accomplishment?
Without a doubt, the growth of the NPD team I’ve worked with for the past several years. Over the seven years that I had the opportunity to lead, we were able to build our collaborative mindset, create a supportive and strengths-based team approach, advocate the value of NPD, step into the full scope of our practice, and leverage our influence within the organization. Leaving my team was by far the hardest part of my recent transition emotionally, but the easiest, too, in that I have absolute confidence in them now and into the future.
How do you approach challenges in your work?
I tend to be the type of optimist whose starting point is always the assumption that any challenge can be overcome with enough creativity, collaboration, and determination. My outside-the-box thinking is beneficial in looking for creative solutions and resources, and my mantra is ‘more brains are always better’ when working through challenging situations.
What advice would you give to someone just starting out in NPD?
So often when moving into a new position such as an NPD practitioner, there is a natural tendency to try to prove oneself. This can limit your freedom to be authenticate and vulnerable; be open, ask questions, and approach everything from a mindset of curiosity and learning. Remember that your role isn't necessarily to be the expert in all things, but to find creative ways to bring expertise from many different sources to the nurses and healthcare teams you work with. Get involved with ANPD and your local affiliate—the opportunities to learn and to find mentoring relationships are absolutely invaluable in your growth! And finally, seek the things that spark you and stay connected to your why as a nurse and an NPD practitioner.
What hobbies do you enjoy outside of work?
I love to create—cooking, crafting, building, etc.—and I love the outdoors. I relocated with my wife and three children (4, 5, and 6 years old) to the U.S. Virgin Islands at the start of this year. With three little ones, there hasn't been a lot of time for hobbies the past several years, but we are currently loving beach time, the pace of island life, and exploring our new home!