Students enrolled in the Hope College nursing program may complete an internship in the clinical specialty area of their choice with Chicago Semester. With the support of their preceptor and Chicago Semester nursing staff, students gain skills and urban experience to transition from student to registered nurse.
Placement
Nursing practice in Chicago offers a chance to tap into a large body of healthcare institutions in the city. Nursing students work 32 hours a week under the direct supervision of a bachelor’s prepared registered nurse at Northwestern Memorial Hospital or the University of Illinois Medical Center at Chicago. Placement will be based on area of interest, and students may choose from a wide variety of practice settings and specialties. Past students have worked in clinical specialties such as the emergency department, medical and pediatric intensive care, labor and delivery, and general pediatrics.
The students’ 32 hour work week will follow the schedule their preceptor. Most students work two twelve hour and one eight hour shift or four eight hour shifts on days or evening shifts. The shifts may be scheduled any day of the week including weekends, but will not be scheduled during program holidays or breaks.
All students are required to have the following:
- Physical exam: completed within one year of beginning the program
- Hepatitis: evidence of 3 shots, or positive Hepatitis B surface Antibody titer, or evidence of prior infection
- Varicella: evidence of 2 shots or positive titer
- Measles: evidence of 2 shots (MMR) or positive titer
- Mumps: evidence of 1 shot (mumps or MMR) or positive titer
- TB testing: documentation of one TB skin test completed within three months prior to starting the program and documentation of an additional skin test completed within one year of the more recent test
- Healthcare Provider CPR: current and will not expire during the semester attending the program
- Uniform: Hope uniform, secondhand watch, stethoscope, and text for clinical area of interest and NCLEX review
Professional Seminar
Nursing students also participate in a weekly professional seminar that addresses issues and services related to healthcare in an urban context, leadership and management, and an NCLEX review. Students may also choose to enroll in one additional CS seminar.
Additional Seminar Enrollment
Nursing students must enroll in one CS seminar offered on Wednesdays in addition to the nursing professional seminar. Your internship will be scheduled around this additional seminar.
Objectives
The nursing student will:
- Participate in the role of the practicing professional nurse.
- Synthesize knowledge from previous college courses to provide evidence-based professional nursing care.
- Demonstrate competency in clinical skills, critical thinking, problem-solving and time management when providing nursing care of clients with complex healthcare needs.
- Understand the role of the city and urban healthcare from a Christian perspective.
- Correlate major urban issues with healthcare access and quality of care.
- Develop a process of reflective thinking on the role of healthcare professionals.
- Integrate faith with vocation.
Staff
Michelle McClure
APRN-CS, MSN, Nursing Education Coordinator
mmcclurecs@sbcglobal.net