ANPD believes that no matter your role in the practice of nursing professional development (NPD), you belong in our community. That’s why our Specialty Spotlight series highlights members furthering NPD goals in unique and invaluable ways. Today, the spotlight is on Leslie Landon, MSN, RN, OCN, NPD-BC, director of nursing practice and professional development at the Winship Cancer Institute.

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

I’ve been a nurse for 25 years, beginning my career after earning a BSN from UNC-Chapel Hill. For the first 17 years, I worked in oncology across a variety of settings, including inpatient stem cell transplant, outpatient adult oncology infusion, inpatient pediatric oncology/bone marrow transplantation (BMT), and BMT navigation. In each role, I naturally gravitated toward precepting, nursing education, and professionally developing nurses. Eventually I became the lead of the pediatric hematology/oncology fellowship for my organization in 2014.

Following that role, I transitioned into a system-level nursing professional development (NPD) role, where I led the nurse residency program. In 2020, I completed my MSN at Western Governors University and concluded my time in that department as the manager of clinical programs. I spent five years in the department, never anticipating a change, until I realized how much I missed adult oncology.

When I saw the posting for my current position, I knew I had to apply. Stepping into a leadership role that blends multi-site NPD with adult oncology felt like a natural progression.

Is this a new role?

Yes, this was a newly created role when I joined Emory Healthcare in 2022. At the time, Winship Cancer Institute was preparing to open Winship at Emory Midtown. In addition to supporting the training and onboarding required for the expansion and a new care model, the team was looking for a leader to build an oncology nurse residency program for the service line, establish a strong foundation for NPD, and standardize orientation materials and processes across sites.

Over the past two years, I’ve hired six NPD specialists and one nurse practice specialist to lead and support the residency program. About six months ago, the role expanded to include nursing practice, and three clinical nurse specialists (CNSs) joined the team. While there is overlap in skill sets across roles, it’s been exciting to lean into the CNSs’ deep expertise in oncology nursing and the NPD specialists’ strengths in professional development. Together, we’ve built collaborative partnerships that leverage the unique contributions of each role to elevate nursing practice across the service line.

What does an average day in your position look like?

An average day typically begins with time dedicated to answering emails. While it may not be the most exciting part of the day, I’ve found that early mornings are a great time to focus, and timely communication is essential for building and maintaining strong relationships. Each of our locations holds a Tier 2 huddle every morning, and it is a priority to join them, either virtually or in person if it's possible. It’s a valuable opportunity to connect with site leads, which include anywhere from 2 to 11 nurse managers, depending on the location. After these huddles, I facilitate one-on-one meetings with team members. Every two weeks, each teammate provides updates on key projects and I assess for barriers I can help remove.

Most days include rounding. This can take many forms: stopping by an oncology nurse residency program or certification review class, visiting site leaders, rounding on staff, or checking in with my own team. Daily meetings occur, which range from planning service-line initiatives or engaging with key team personnel. Late afternoons are reserved for strategic planning and project work. Currently my focus is on strategic planning and goal setting for the fiscal year. This includes continuously evaluating and prioritizing requests to ensure alignment with the organization’s strategic objectives.

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

The NPD Scope & Standards of Practice (Harper & Maloney, 2022) has been foundational in shaping the standard work for both my team and the clinical educators . We've used them to clearly define our daily responsibilities, highlight our specialized expertise, and demonstrate the value we bring to the organization. One of my NPD specialists even keeps a copy in her work bag—it’s that central to how we operate!

When I first stepped into this role, many teams were unfamiliar with NPD as a distinct specialty. I’m proud to say that today, the NPD Practice Model is well-recognized and embraced by both our educators and nurse managers. It’s been incredibly rewarding to see that shift and to help build a culture that values and understands the impact of professional development in nursing.

What is a professional achievement you are proud of?

In January 2024, we launched a certification movement that continues to gain momentum. In an effort to increase certification rates, we hosted regular review courses, mentored nurses through exam preparation, facilitated study groups, and elevated recognition efforts—including presenting oncology-certified nurse jackets to those who earned their certification. The results have been remarkable. We went from just three newly certified oncology nurses in 2023 to 17 in 2024, and 52 (and counting) in 2025. It’s incredibly rewarding to see our work make a measurable impact, not only in advancing the strategic goals of our organization but also in strengthening oncology nursing expertise and ultimately improving patient care.

As a result of this work and success, the Winship Cancer Institute received the 2025 ONCC Employer of the Year Award. I am especially proud of our focused efforts to support oncology nursing certification.

What challenges do you navigate in this position?

Healthcare systems are increasingly complex, and my team and I often find ourselves operating within a Venn diagram where our work intersects with both ambulatory and inpatient initiatives. Leading a service-line team means navigating site-specific needs while aligning with broader system priorities, which can make project planning and training development particularly challenging.

I collaborate with system leaders and managers across 37 oncology departments, and while relationship-building is one of my favorite aspects of the role—I genuinely enjoy learning what people are passionate about and celebrating the great work their nurses are doing—it also requires intentional effort. Staying connected across such a large and diverse network takes time and consistency, and I work hard to keep it top of mind.

Another ongoing challenge is nursing bandwidth, which is something all of us in NPD face. Practice changes and professional development require time, and staffing constraints often mean training gets deprioritized. Even though my team designs flexible and engaging learning experiences, it can be difficult for frontline leaders to carve out protected time while still meeting patient care demands.

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

My biggest piece of advice is: raise your hand and volunteer. One of the reasons I was able to step into roles leading residency programs was because I had previously volunteered to take on responsibilities when others were temporarily out on leave. Those experiences helped me build credibility and gain valuable exposure.

Also, do your best with the work you’re given. Leaders notice when you consistently exceed expectations, communicate effectively, meet deadlines, and collaborate well with others. Reliability and professionalism go a long way.

Look for opportunities to lead complex NPD initiatives. These projects are great for developing your skills in project management, communication, and strategic thinking—all of which are essential for advancing in this field.

And finally, find a mentor. I’ve been incredibly fortunate to work with Dr. Trina Geyer. Her guidance, deep NPD expertise, and mentorship over the past three years have been invaluable to my growth. Having someone who can challenge, support, and guide you makes a tremendous difference.