Students and New Nurses

Student Experiences

The Children’s Hospital provides clinical experiences for nursing students from several baccalaureate nursing programs in Colorado as well as other states.  In 2005, 460 students from eight different nursing schools completed 39,874 hours of precepted instruction in inpatient and ambulatory departments.  BSN students are welcome to have their school faculty email Bonnie Cavanaugh or call her at The Children's Hospital at 720-777-1234 to discuss opportunities for student rotations and new affiliation agreements.

Nurse Orientation

Each new nurse hired at The Children's Hospital participates in a centralized orientation program consisting of didactic learning and precepted clinical experience. RNs hired as new graduates, RNs with little or no pediatric experience, and those re-entering practice after extended time away are offered additional orientation through the Pediatric Nurse Development Program (PNDP). Download the PNDP brochure for detailed information (.pdf).Classroom content is offered 7 times a year to every newly hired RN based on learner need. These 3 classroom days include JCAHO required material, as well as general pediatric topics. RNs participating in PNDP attend 2 additional class days. Unit based supplemental classes are offered on a regular basis.  Each RN is paired with experienced preceptor(s) on the individual units. Competency Guidelines specify the nursing process skills expected for completion of orientation. Precepted clinical orientation lasts for 4-16 weeks depending on unit, longer in intensive care areas.  For more information about the Nursing Orientation program, you may either email Cindy San Miguel or call her at The Children's Hospital at 720-777-1234.