This fall, HMS welcomed a new cohort of students from the Penn Nursing Program. This group of student interns joined our staff at HMS for on-site clinical experience. During their time with us, the students sharpened their nursing skills through hands-on activities alongside our HMS team and students. Our staff is always eager to work with bright and passionate students from the Penn Nursing Program and we look forward to a continued collaboration between our institutions.
Learn more about our latest cohort from Allison Walsh, Clinical Instructor for the Penn Nursing internship program and practicing Pediatric Nurse Practitioner at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP), below.
Tell us more about you and your role in this internship opportunity with Penn Nursing students.
I was one of the Clinical Instructors for the Penn Nursing Students, acting as the liaison between Penn and HMS during the students’ clinical rotation.
What were some of your favorite parts of overseeing this semester’s program?
One of my favorite parts about my experience at HMS was meeting all the wonderful nursing staff, as well as some of the amazing students, during several of my site visits. It was so clear to me during my visits how much the staff knew and cared for the students, creating a fun and supportive environment for everyone.
Why is this experience with HMS valuable to your students?
The clinical experience at HMS is such a rich, well-rounded experience for the students. While most of their other clinical rotations are in the hospital setting, this community setting is so valuable as it provides our students with an opportunity to see the wide spectrum of nursing care and the importance of understanding the community in which patients live and learn.
What advice would you give a student who was placed into this internship experience with us?
The biggest piece of advice I would provide is to really take advantage of every learning opportunity during the clinical rotation. There is so much to learn from not only the nursing staff, but from the other disciplines (PT, OT, SLP, teachers) as well. The students at HMS receive such a holistic education experience and as a future nurse, these experiences can help you have a more holistic approach with patients, in whatever setting you choose.
As a healthcare professional, are there lessons that you’ve learned from your experiences working with us that have impacted your career or perspective?
As an NP in the inpatient setting who works with children with disabilities, this experience working with HMS School has shown me again how important collaboration with schools is to provide children with the support they need to flourish. Care of the patient doesn’t stop at hospital discharge, and to make sure they are successful, this communication and care coordination is crucial!