Nurse Scientist

La Rabida Children’s Hospital provides specialized, family-centered health care to children with medically complex conditions, disabilities, and chronic illness. Through expertise, compassion, and advocacy we help children and their families reach their fullest potential, regardless of their ability to pay.

Our not-for-profit hospital, licensed for 49 beds, helps transition children from neonatal or pediatric intensive care to home, by providing medical, rehabilitative and developmental care, and by training families to continue treatments and manage the necessary equipment in the home. La Rabida also provides extensive rehabilitation for those recovering from wounds or burns and treatment for exacerbations of chronic conditions.

The hospital’s enhanced pediatric patient-centered medical home provides primary care to children with complex medical conditions and their siblings. Children with medical homes elsewhere come to La Rabida for specialty services. La Rabida offers a wide range of specialty services provided to children with sickle cell disease, diabetes, and many others. Children are supported in their emotional and developmental growth, particularly in cases where such growth has been interrupted by accident or disease.

Finally, La Rabida provides forensic and treatment services for children exposed to abuse and neglect, comprehensive assessments for youth in care, early intervention for children between 0 and 3 years of age. Care coordination services for medically complex children are also provided for those who are covered by a health plan and receive care from providers in Cook County

SUMMARY: The Nurse Scientist serves as a clinical and scholarly leader responsible for advancing evidence-based nursing practice, research translation, and professional development. This role leads initiatives that improve patient outcomes, strengthen nursing practice, and promote a culture of inquiry and continuous improvement.

In partnership with nursing and organizational leadership, the Nurse Scientist functions as a strategic consultant, participating in organizational planning to align evidence-based initiatives with system priorities. The role provides expert guidance in the development, implementation, and evaluation of strategic goals related to quality, safety, professional practice, and research integration.

The Nurse Scientist collaborates with frontline clinicians and interprofessional partners to design, implement, evaluate, and disseminate evidence-based practice and research initiatives while mentoring staff and advancing nursing scholarship across the organization.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

1. Creates and develops evidence-based policies, procedures, protocols, and best practice models/guidelines

· Conducts comprehensive literature reviews to ensure all clinical standards reflect the most current evidence.

· Synthesizes research findings, regulatory requirements, and expert consensus to update or develop new organizational policies.

· Collaborates with clinical and operational leaders to validate, approve, and implement practice standards across all care settings.

· Ensures new and revised policies support safety, quality, and consistency of nursing practice throughout the organization.

2. Assists nurses and the interprofessional team in evaluating and elevating practice standards

· Guides frontline clinicians through structured evidence appraisal and practice evaluation.

· Facilitates discussions to identify gaps between current practice and best available evidence.

· Coaches clinicians on applying evidence-based practice (EBP) frameworks to drive sustainable improvements.

· Builds staff competence and confidence in questioning practice and adopting improved care methods.

3. Partners with nursing and organizational leadership to identify practice gaps and implement sustainable improvements

· Collaborates with department leaders to assess performance metrics, review trends, and prioritize areas needing improvement.

· Co-creates action plans using change management principles to ensure long-term adoption and integration.

· Provides leadership consultation during strategic planning to align projects with system goals.

· Facilitates interdisciplinary collaboration to ensure shared ownership of improvement work.

4. Designs, implements, and evaluates evidence-based practice (EBP) and quality improvement (QI) projects

· Uses structured methodologies (e.g., Iowa Model, PDSA cycles, Lean tools) to guide project teams from problem identification to evaluation.

· Leads project planning meetings, ensuring clarity of goals, timelines, roles, and expected outcomes.

· Provides methodological expertise in project design, intervention development, and implementation planning.

· Develops sustainability plans to maintain improvements and monitors long-term adherence.

5. Supports organizational priorities related to quality improvement, patient safety, and nursing excellence designation

· Contributes to nursing excellence standard compliance, particularly in areas related to nursing research, EBP, and empirical outcomes.

· Prepares evidence and exemplars demonstrating nursing excellence.

· Aligns practice initiatives with quality and safety goals to strengthen patient outcomes and workforce engagement.

· Assists units in achieving measurable improvements tied to national benchmarks and accreditation expectations.

6. Translates internal data and external evidence into clinical practice recommendations

· Integrates clinical outcomes data, national guidelines, and peer-reviewed evidence to generate actionable recommendations.

· Prepares summaries, decision-support tools, and implementation guides tailored to frontline clinicians.

· Collaborates with leaders to determine feasibility, resource needs, and expected impact of proposed practice changes.

· Ensures recommendations support patient-centered, efficient, and equitable care.

7. Collects, analyzes, and interprets outcome data to assess project impact and sustainability

· Identifies appropriate metrics and data sources to evaluate the influence of practice changes.

· Utilizes statistical and analytical tools to interpret clinical and operational outcomes.

· Prepares clear data narratives that illustrate project successes, challenges, and opportunities.

· Recommends next steps or adaptations based on evaluation findings.

8. Disseminates findings internally and externally through presentations and publications

· Develops abstracts, posters, podium presentations, and manuscripts to share project outcomes and innovations.

· Represents the organization at local, regional, and national conferences.

· Shares results with internal audiences through leadership meetings, councils, and staff development forums.

· Ensures dissemination aligns with organizational branding, publication standards, and scholarly expectations.

9. Participates actively in professional organizations and contributes to policy and practice advancement

· Maintains membership in organizations that support nursing research, EBP, and specialty practice.

· Serves on committees, task forces, and professional workgroups to influence broader nursing standards.

· Contributes to the development of position statements, guidelines, or policy recommendations.

· Keeps the organization informed of emerging trends, innovations, and national priorities.

10. Serves as a subject matter expert in evidence-based practice and research translation

· Provides consultation across the organization on EBP models, implementation science, and research utilization.

· Mentors clinicians and interprofessional partners in developing EBP and inquiry competencies.

· Supports teams in designing and conducting EBP, QI, and translational research projects.

· Promotes a culture of inquiry by modeling critical thinking, curiosity, and scientific rigor.

Education: A graduate of an approved school of professional nursing required. Masters prepared required.

Related Work Experience: PALS and PICU experience required. Demonstrated expertise in evidence-based practice. Proven ability to lead change and manage complex projects. Advanced written and verbal communication skills. Experience mentoring clinicians and interdisciplinary teams. Track record of scholarly dissemination (abstracts, manuscripts, presentations). Strong critical thinking and problem solving abilities. Ability to work independently and

Licensure/Certification: Currently licensed as a professional nurse in the State of Illinois required.

Master’s degree in Nursing, Active Advanced Practice Registered Nurse

License (Clinical Nurse Specialist strongly preferred)

Specialized Knowledge and Skills: Can function as an exceptional role model to staff. Is familiar with policies of regulatory agencies: JCAHO, Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH), Illinois Nurse Practice Act, Occupational Safety Health Administration (OSHA). Is able to establish priorities and possesses independent decision-making capabilities.

CPR required: Only certifications issued by the American Heart Association or the American Red Cross will be accepted.

La Rabida Children’s Hospital is very proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer

La Rabida is a place unlike any other. We understand the needs of families with children dealing with the most serious or complicated of conditions. With teams of the best healthcare providers in Chicago, we give continuous, comprehensive care, education, and support, helping families face their unique obstacles head-on.

La Rabida Children’s Hospital is very proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer.