Nursing

At Phoenix Children’s, we cultivate a respectful, adaptable environment that embraces change and holds ourselves accountable for outcomes. The Professional Practice department supports evidence-based clinical education, nursing quality and professional governance—promoting high-quality, family-centered care while advancing the recruitment, development and retention of exceptional nursing staff.

At Phoenix Children’s, we believe that excellence in pediatric care starts with empowered, well-educated clinicians. Our Professional Practice department is committed to advancing nursing knowledge, skill and leadership through a variety of structured development opportunities:

• Professional Advancement Program (Clinical Ladder): A robust advancement model that recognizes and rewards professional growth, clinical expertise and leadership at the bedside.
• Continuing Education Support: Access to internal and external continuing education opportunities, including paid certifications, specialty courses and conference attendance.
• Mentorship & Preceptor Programs: Tiered preceptor training and mentorship initiatives designed to build confidence, competence and community among staff at all levels.
• Specialty Training Programs: Targeted pathways for nurses to transition into high-acuity specialties such as critical care, oncology, or perioperative services.
• Academic Advancement: Support for nurses pursuing advanced degrees, including tuition reimbursement, flexible scheduling and academic partnerships.
• Leadership Development: Opportunities to grow into formal leadership roles through structured leadership programs, workshops and coaching.
• Professional Governance: A shared decision-making framework that empowers nurses to influence practice standards, policies and improvements across the organization.

By investing in professional development, we foster a culture of lifelong learning, innovation and excellence—ensuring our nurses are well-prepared to meet the evolving needs of our pediatric patients and families.

The Pediatric Nurse Residency at Phoenix Children’s is a comprehensive, evidence-based program designed to support the transition of new graduate nurses into professional practice. Launched in 2023, the program features a dedicated residency instructor model, structured check-ins and individualized onboarding across inpatient and emergency departments. It integrates early preceptor development and uses innovative tools and systems to streamline communication, track progress and support both orientees and preceptors. With nearly 1,000 residents onboarded and hundreds completing tiered preceptor training, the program fosters clinical excellence, collaboration and psychological safety—laying a strong foundation for nursing practice across the organization.

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Phoenix Children’s supports nurses from diverse clinical backgrounds in successfully transitioning to pediatric practice. We offer tailored transition programs that combine online learning, classroom instruction, hands-on simulation and precepted clinical experience to ensure a smooth and supported shift into pediatric care.

Each year, we welcome nurses transitioning from adult-focused practice into general pediatrics and high-acuity specialties such as the Emergency Department, NICU and PICU. Programs are individualized to accommodate a range of nursing experiences outside of pediatrics.

For nurses already working in pediatric settings, we offer opportunities to advance into specialized areas such as hematology/oncology, endocrinology, neurology/neurosurgery, orthopedics, pulmonology, gastroenterology, cardiology, nephrology and critical care.

If you’re interested in exploring a transition to pediatric specialty nursing at Phoenix Children’s, we encourage you to visit our Careers website or reach out to Human Resources. We’re happy to connect you with a nurse leader in your area of interest to learn more about available programs.