Helping Student Nurses Prepare For A Pediatric Nursing Career
Are you interested in becoming a pediatric nurse, and have passion for working with children of all ages?
If so, then we have an exclusive sponsorship program for you, which includes:
- $15,000 in sponsorship for education expenses
- $5,000 bonus upon start of the Nurse Residency Program
- Sponsorship funds for tuition and fees and or other educational costs provided at key check points
- Paid relevant work experience
- Career readiness training
- Preference for senior preceptorship placement
- Enrollment in the Nurse Residency Program at the start of the S2RN program
Apply For Student to Nurse (S2RN) Program – Inpatient Nursing Float – Days
Apply For Student to Nurse (S2RN) Program – Inpatient Float – Nights
At Children’s Nebraska, our Student to Nurse (S2RN) Pediatric Sponsorship program provides exclusive sponsorship funds and employment to support nursing students who are interested in a pediatric nursing career. Nursing students will be hired into the program before the start of their junior year of nursing school. Benefits of the program include the following:
- Paid CNA work in the hospital and specialty clinic settings to learn to care for pediatric patients. This provides the student with realistic job previews to identify area focus as a future Nurse Resident.
- Flexible scheduling available throughout the program.
- 1:1 mentoring to support the student nurse during school and after graduation.
- Early selection of nursing area you prefer to work will be made at the start of your senior year, where you would aim to have your preceptorship hours and begin the nurse residency program post-graduation.
Eligibility
Applications for the Student to Nurse (S2RN) Pediatric Sponsorship Program will be accepted from qualified individuals who meet the following criteria:
- Active on the CNA registry for the state of Nebraska
- Actively enrolled in an accredited nursing BSN program and ready to start junior year soon after the program start date
- Minimum cumulative college GPA of 3.0
- BLS certification through an AHA approved course required prior to program start date
Application & Interview Process
Applications are accepted online for a new cohort of the S2RN Sponsorship Program each spring, with May and June start dates.
Based on established criteria, candidates will be asked to complete the S2RN Pediatric Sponsorship Program application process, which involves submitting the following information:
- Two professional references; one of which must be a faculty member (clinical faculty member preferred). An online reference tool will be sent directly to the individuals indicated.
- Official college transcripts, which include GPA of a 3.0 or greater
- Current resumé
Interviews will last up to 45 minutes and are conducted as a group interview with members of the Student to Nurse Pediatric Sponsorship Program Steering Team.
Areas Participating In The Program
Hospital Areas
- Cardiac Care Unit
- Emergency Department
- Operating Room
- Float Pool
- Med Surg
- NICU
- PICU
Specialty Clinic Areas
Children’s has the largest group of specialty pediatric providers in Nebraska, located at the main campus, 8200 Dodge St. Offering more than 50 specialty services, we see a large variety of patients including patients who have multiple special health needs requiring complex care. Some of those specialties are currently ranked by U.S. News & World Report as among the top pediatric programs in the country.
- Allergy, Asthma & Immunology
- Autism Diagnostic Clinic
- Cardiac Care
- Children’s Development Clinic (CDC)
- Children’s Advocacy Team
- Craniofacial Clinic
- Ear, Nose & Throat (ENT)
- Endocrinology & Diabetes
- Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
- Genetics
- Helmet Clinic
- Hematology & Oncology
- Infectious Disease
- Metabolic Bone & Osteogenesis Imperfecta Clinic
- Metabolic Management
- Nephrology
- Neurology & Neurosurgery
- Rheumatology
- Sports Medicine
- Surgery
- Urology
- Weight & Wellness
Enrollment In The Nurse Residency Program
All S2RN Sponsorship Program participants will be enrolled in the Nurse Residency Program upon hire. At the start of their senior year of nursing school, the S2RN participant will be matched to a specific area for the Nurse Residency Program. Each area will determine how many positions will be available in the nurse residency program.
Once the individual is matched to an area for the Nurse Residency Program, the S2RN participant will move from the float pool to working in the area of hire. Participants will continue working to meet the sponsorship program requirements until transition into the residency program.
Senior Preceptorship Preference
At the time of senior preceptorship placements, S2RN sponsorship participants will be given preference to complete this experience in their area of nurse resident hire. During the preceptorship experience, the S2RN participant will not be able to work on their home area as a CNA. Other opportunities may be provided.
Important Dates
2023
- Applications accepted: February 13 – March 3, 2023
- Screening interviews for qualified candidates: completed by March 17, 2023
- In-person interviews for selected candidates: March 20 – 31, 2023
- Student-to-Nurse Pediatric Sponsorship Start Date: May 22, 2023 & July 10, 2023
S2RN Match Placement for Nurse Residency Program Summer 2024-2025:
- Submit updated resume & areas preferences for nurse residency match by July 19, 2024
- S2RN sponsor interviews for Nurse Residency Program: July 29 – August 2, 2024
- Decisions for area placement by August 2, 2024
- S2RN sponsor transition to new area where you will work in the Nurse Residency Program: August 23, 2024
- Nurse Residency Start Date: May – August 2025
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How do I apply?
Apply online for the Student to Nurse Pediatric Sponsorship Program. A new cohort of the Student to Nurse Pediatric Sponsorship Program is offered each June.
Applications are accepted in the spring for a June start. The program lasts for 2 years.
Current Employees apply here.
Not a current employee? Apply here.
2. Can I apply for the S2RN Sponsor Program before I start nursing school?
No. BSN nursing students will apply for positions before the start of their junior year.
3. What is involved in the application process?
Based on established criteria, candidates will be asked to complete the S2RN Sponsor application process, which involves submitting the following information:
- Two names of individuals for references; one of which must be from a clinical faculty member. An online reference tool will be sent directly to the individuals indicated.
- Official school transcripts from BSN program
- Cumulative GPA must be 3.0 or higher
- Resumé
4. How will I be notified if I advance in the process?
If selected for an interview, you will be contacted via phone to schedule your interview time with the S2RN Sponsor Steering Team. If you are not selected for an interview, you will be notified via email.
5. What is the interview format?
Interviews will last up to 45 minutes and are conducted as a group interview with members of the S2RN Sponsor Program Steering Team.
6. If I am hired into the S2RN Sponsor Program, will I be paid and eligible for benefits?
The S2RN Sponsor program participants are hired and paid for their hours worked. Benefit eligibility at Children’s is dependent upon hours worked per pay period. S2RN program participants become eligible for benefits when they convert to the full-time nurse resident role.
Detailed information regarding Children’s employee benefits will be reviewed at the time of the interview.
7. If hired into the Student to Nurse Pediatric Sponsorship Program, what shifts and/or hours will I work?
You will be hired into the hospital float pool and work with an area specific preceptor until your competency is validated. Hospital float pool staff provides care in the following areas:
- Cardiac Care Unit
- Med Surg
- NICU
- PICU
You will need to be available to work either days or nights and weekends. Shift preference will be discussed during interviews.
The summer before your senior year you will have the opportunity to experience additional areas, including
- Emergency Department
- Operating Room
- Specialty Clinics
These areas offer varying shifts as well.
8. What is “early enrollment” in the Nurse Residency Program?
All S2RN Sponsorship Program participants will be enrolled in the Nurse Residency Program upon hire to the program. At the start of their senior year of nursing school, the S2RN participant will be matched to a specific area for the Nurse Residency Program. Each area will determine how many positions will be available in the nurse residency program.
Once the individual is matched to an area for the Nurse Resident Program, the S2RN will move from the float pool to working in the area of hire for the residency program. The S2RN will continue working to meet the sponsor program requirements until graduation.
At the time of senior preceptorship placements, S2RN sponsorship participants will be given preference to complete this experience in their area of nurse resident hire. During the preceptorship experience, the S2RN will not be able to work on their home area as a S2RN. Other opportunities may be provided.
9. Do you offer shift and weekend differentials in the S2RN Sponsor Program?
- Hospital S2RNs are eligible for shift differentials, which are offered for evening, night, and weekend shifts.
- Specialty Pediatric Center S2RNs are eligible for shift differentials for weekend shifts.
10. After being matched to a specific area at the start of my senior year, what shift will I work?
Hospital S2RNs
Depending on the staffing needs of the hospital area, shifts are available to meet the needs of the patients. Generally, the individual will be hired to a specific shift. Most areas work 7 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. or 7 p.m. to 7:30 a.m. The emergency department has some mid shifts such as 11 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. or 3 p.m. to 3:30 a.m.
Specialty Clinic S2RNs
Shifts are Monday through Friday days, with some Saturdays and some extended hours until 7 p.m. in certain clinics.
11. Can I work a second job during the S2RN Sponsor Program?
No. A second job is not recommended because the program requires flexibility in scheduling and always requires a fresh mind to process and retain new information.
12. What happens if I cannot fulfill the requirements of the S2RN Sponsor Program?
All S2RN participants will sign a sponsorship agreement that outlines all program requirements. In the event that requirements are not met, the student will be required to repay all invested educational funds.
Failure to pass required NCLEX after 2 attempts could result in the sponsorship being rescinded and the individual could be required to repay all invested educational funds.
13. How does the S2RN Sponsor Program work with the Tuition Reimbursement plan and other scholarships offered by the hospital?
Financial support provided by the S2RN program cannot be combined with tuition reimbursement, loan forgiveness or other scholarships offered by Children’s Nebraska.
After completion of the S2RN Program, the nurse resident is eligible for tuition reimbursement for continued formal education if desired.
Contact Us
Please call 402-955-6000 or email [email protected] for more information about the S2RN program.