Neonatal Intensive Care Nurse Internship

The tiniest patients in the Lehigh Valley and surrounding areas deserve the highest level of care. St. Luke’s University Health Network is proud to offer the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Internship to nurses new to this rewarding specialty. The nursing internship is a full time, 15-week program that offers a variety of enriching educational experiences, from the classroom to hands-on clinical experience and simulation. Throughout the program, the new-to-NICU nurses will develop critical thinking skills, build confidence, and learn how to care for these vulnerable infants as well as their families.

• Program Outcomes
• This program covers fundamental skill sets to care for and understand the complex medical problems that occur in the neonatal population while addressing family dynamics and the stressors of prolonged hospitalization
• Learn to apply evidence-based knowledge in the diagnosis and management of neonatal disorders while developing an appreciation of family centered care in the NICU while maintaining a developmentally supportive care
• Participate and utilize the multidisciplinary team care approach in the NICU to learn the value of all team members involved in the care of the infants and their families
• Technology
• AWOHNN (Association of Women’s Health in Obstetrics and Neonatal Nursing) online modules guides the framework for the internship program providing, 41.25 CEUs
• Simulation newborn manikin-life-like, used in neonatal resuscitation simulations
• Professional Advancement Opportunities
• VON: SLUHN is a proud Vermont Oxford Network team member, in collaboration with a global NICU network to provide the best and latest in evidence-based practice
• Small Baby Unit Certification after at least 2 years of NICU service
• Opportunities to grow on the Clinical Ladder as a preceptor, mentor, course instructor, charge nurse
• Work-Life Balance
• Interns are to complete required assignments while being paid on-the-job
• Career Paths

The length of orientation is competency-based and is tailored to each individual adult learner. The education and leadership team works with each intern to determine a personalized plan.

We incorporate organizational development tools that will support interns as they enter the nursing profession.

The NICU Internship Program is a process that prepares the novice neonatal nurse in areas of newborn assessment, neonatal resuscitation in the delivery room, thermoregulation, and management of critical infants from all gestational ages. We use a comprehensive program outline which includes:

• 15 Weeks of Classroom training
• Simulation
• An individualized clinical orientation with specialty selected preceptors