Building the Business Case for Nursing Professional Development

In this episode, host Nicole Weathers sits down with Dr. Cathleen Opperman, an expert in nursing professional development, to discuss the importance of financial acumen for nurse leaders and the critical components needed to demonstrate the value of nurse residency programs. Dr. Opperman emphasizes the need to understand clinical and financial languages to advocate for resources and support new graduate nurses effectively. The discussion covers essential business case elements, including objectives, anticipated expenses, and the benefits of professional development activities. Dr. Opperman also shares practical steps for making a compelling business case, ensuring listeners have actionable insights to improve their advocacy efforts.Special Guest: Dr. Cathleen Opperman, DNP, RN, NPD-BC, EBP-C, NEA-BC, CPN, is an Evidence-based Practice Nurse Specialist at the Center for Nursing Excellence at Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus, Ohio.  She is a graduate of the University of Cincinnati, Wright State University, and she completed her Doctorate of Nursing Practice at The Ohio State University.  As a nurse for 42 years, she has held professional development and faculty positions for 38 years. Dr. Opperman has authored articles on developing educators, the EBP process, return on investment for professional development activities, and relationship building & communication in the workplace. She has written chapters in the ANPD Core Curriculum and a pediatric nursing textbook. After 4 years on the Board of Directors for the Association for Nursing Professional Development, she was recently invited to join the Editorial Board for the Journal for Nurses in Professional Development. Dr. Opperman has a passion for both teaching and mentoring in her professional development role.Article Links:Opperman C, Liebig D, Bowling J, Johnson CS, Harper M. Measuring Return on Investment for Professional Development Activities: A Review of the Evidence. J Nurses Prof Dev. 2016 May-Jun;32(3):122-9. doi: 10.1097/NND.0000000000000262. PMID: 27187826.Opperman C, Liebig D, Bowling J, Johnson CS, Harper M. Measuring Return on Investment for Professional Development Activities: Implications for Practice. J Nurses Prof Dev. 2016 Jul-Aug;32(4):176-84. doi: 10.1097/NND.0000000000000274. PMID: 27434317.Opperman C, Liebig D, Bowling J, Johnson CS. Measuring Return on Investment for Professional Development Activities: 2018 Updates. J Nurses Prof Dev. 2018 Nov/Dec;34(6):303-312. doi: 10.1097/NND.0000000000000483. PMID: 30048386.Opperman C, Liebig D, Bowling J, Johnson CS, Stiesmeyer J, Miller S. Measuring Return on Investment for Professional Development Activities: Literature Update and the Ongoing Challenge. J Nurses Prof Dev. 2022 Nov-Dec 01;38(6):333-339. doi: 10.1097/NND.0000000000000921. Epub 2022 Aug 24. PMID: 36037082.Opperman C, Liebig D, Bowling J, Johnson CS, Stiesmeyer J, Miller S. Measuring Return on Investment for Professional Development Activities: Pandemic Impacts and Revised Known Cost of Outcomes. J Nurses Prof Dev. 2022 Nov-Dec 01;38(6):340-346. doi: 10.1097/NND.0000000000000914. Epub 2022 Aug 24. PMID: 36037077.Opperman C. Developing Yourself! J Nurses Prof Dev. 2023 Jul-Aug 01;39(4):234-235. doi: 10.1097/NND.0000000000001003. PMID: 37390346.Supporting nurses is our priority. Visit https://nursing.uiowa.edu/ionrp  to explore our resources for new graduate nurses and beyond.