ANPD believes no matter your role in the practice of nursing professional development (NPD), you belong in our community. That’s why our Specialty Spotlight series is highlighting members furthering NPD goals in unique and invaluable ways. Today, the spotlight is on an NPD focused on Laura Johnson, MSN, RN, CMSRN, NPD-BC, an NPD practitioner with a focus on oncology and transplant cellular therapy (TCT) units.

Can you describe your career journey, and how you ended up in your current role?

I graduated with an associate degree in nursing (ADN) from Brookhaven College in 2007. My first role was as a bedside nurse on a medical oncology unit. Hesitant to engage with oncology patients due to a lack of confidence, I stayed focused on the medical side of the unit. A remarkable mentor recognized my potential and encouraged me, highlighting that I had the skills, compassion, and qualities necessary to become an oncology nurse. That feedback was pivotal in shaping my career as I developed a genuine passion for oncology nursing. I am deeply grateful for that guidance because it removed a level of fear that was holding me back from feeling worthy to care for these patients. She assured me that my nursing skills would sharpen over time, and what mattered most was being able to connect with patients and earn their trust and respect. 

Through my experiences with oncology patients and their families, I came to truly understand the power of palliative care and to this day, actively seek to help others improve their understanding of it as well. The oncology wing eventually closed, which was a difficult transition for me. However, by then I had expanded my nursing experiences into other areas and roles. This included completing my Bachelor of Science in Nursing, operating a direct admission unit, clinical coordination, and even management. Despite these opportunities, I found myself lacking direction and feeling unfulfilled. I decided to return to school and in 2018, I completed my master’s degree with a focus in nursing education. This journey brought me full circle when I transitioned into the role of oncology educator, which in turn, paved the way for my current position as a nursing professional development (NPD) practitioner with an emphasis on oncology nursing. My current role allows me to integrate my passion for oncology, education, and professional development to support the growth and success of nurses along with other clinical and non-clinical staff. 

Is this a new role?

This role marked a significant transition for me, as it was both a new position and within an entirely new hospital system. At the time, UTSouthwestern Medical Center (UTSW) had recently undergone a realignment of their education department, which was still in its early stages of development. As an NPD practitioner, my role was designed to provide educational support on a broader level within the organization. The new, centralized reporting structure includes both unit-based educators and NPD practitioners who work together to address the educational needs across many roles within the system. Our department is expected to actively participate in hospital-wide committees and be involved in the early planning stages of initiatives that may lead to educational requests, rather than being consulted later in the process. We also support both inpatient and ambulatory settings. Although specialized groups cater to each setting, the culture of collaboration within the department is exceptional, allowing all teams to work together seamlessly.

UTSW is home to the Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, a large outpatient cancer center with a dedicated education department. Despite having two distinct oncology education teams for inpatient and outpatient areas, we actively partner together to ensure alignment and integration between our educational efforts. Our provider teams—which include advanced practice nurses—work across both the inpatient and outpatient settings. As a result, we focus on ensuring that staff education is cohesive and aligned with the organization's overarching goals. 

What does an average day in your position look like?

Each day in this role is different and presents new challenges and priorities depending on the initiatives I am focused on. A typical day involves evaluating the progress of current projects, which range from addressing unit-specific needs to facilitating organization-wide rollouts. As education requests are submitted to our department, team members take ownership of initiatives based on their assigned units, areas of expertise, committee involvement, and availability. Our department also oversees the orientation of new hires and guides nursing residents through the practice transition team—ensuring their smooth and effective integration into the organization. Additionally, we serve as nurse planners for the organization, which is an ANCC accredited provider

I am primarily responsible for the requests directly from oncology units, but I also support chemotherapy and hazardous medication initiatives outside those units. As a member of the Palliative Care and End-of-Life Committee, I frequently facilitate educational requests related to those topics as well. Additionally, all NPD practitioners rotate in facilitating house-wide initiatives, such as the introduction of new equipment, changes in processes, or projects that affect multiple areas of the organization. Responsibilities include developing educational offerings using our learning management systems, creating curriculum and facilitating training programs, and coordinating with vendors and other resources as needed. 

Another key aspect of our role is supporting unit-based educators (UBE). This unique NPD/UBE partnership bridges organizational education strategies with the frontline clinical practice. The UBE works directly with the bedside staff providing real-time education and support. Meanwhile, the NPD functions as the education expert who analyzes the learning needs from an organizational perspective, expanding to other roles such as interdisciplinary teams, and quality and patient safety departments when needed to ensure consistency across all units. 

How do you apply the NPD Scope & Standards of Practice in your role?

I consistently apply the Nursing Professional Development Scope and Standards of Practice in our daily work as we address the diverse needs of the organization. Our primary focus is to transform educational requests into offerings that effectively address identified gaps in practice. This is where I have experienced the greatest growth since transitioning into this role.

Helping others understand how to properly analyze and refine their educational requests can be challenging. Utilizing the framework outlined in the scope and standards, we have developed a structured approach to each educational request, including a detailed needs assessment, gap analysis, and identification of key personnel who bring important perspectives to the project. We also review expected outcomes, incorporating data collection and evaluation methods to ensure long-term support and success. This process is guided by a systematic documentation tool that drives the initial discussion and planning. It also helps identify roles that may be impacted by changes, but not initially considered in the planning process, such as physical therapists or procedural areas of the hospital. As a result, our initiatives are more impactful, sustainable, and aligned with organizational goals. 

Our intake process integrates key project management principles including stakeholder engagement, collaboration across departments, and the involvement of subject matter experts. This strategic approach saves time and resources by targeting the root cause of the practice gap, rather than resorting to a one-size-fits-all solution.

What is a professional achievement you are proud of?

Throughout my career, I have achieved numerous milestones, including degrees and certifications. Currently, I am particularly proud of an initiative my team and I have been working on that has reshaped the competency management process at our organization. Our team submitted an abstract that has been accepted for a 60-minute podium presentation at the 2025 ANPD Aspire Conference. Our presentation, entitled "Step up Your Game: Optimizing Excellence through Streamlining Competency Management Processes," represents two years of dedicated work. While this journey has come with its challenges, it has also provided valuable learning experiences. I am eager to present insights and share lessons learned alongside my colleagues with conference attendees.

What advice do you have for NPD professionals looking to find a similar career path?

My best advice is to focus on the aspects of nursing that ignite your passion. Listen to your inner voice and avoid letting fear hold you back from pursuing your goals. Whether it's furthering your education, obtaining a certification, seeking a promotion, or exploring a new specialty, the journey can be intimidating, but also incredibly rewarding. Surround yourself with trusted mentors who can offer guidance when you face challenges or are considering a change. Turn to those you admire for advice and don’t be afraid to dream big.

Looking back, I often hesitated when others acknowledged my strengths and potential, as I frequently struggled with imposter syndrome. I realized that I was the only one standing in my way. Once I overcame that fear, I was no longer afraid to pursue opportunities that came my way, leading to a career filled with support, guidance, and a deep sense of accomplishment. I now find immense joy in my work, for which I am truly grateful. While I've faced burnout, rejection, and disappointment, these experiences ultimately provided me with moments of growth. Nursing is an extensive field, offering so many opportunities for those willing to take even a small step out of their comfort zone.