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Children’s Health

Two campuses: Dallas & Plano
Multiple specialties in pediatrics including General Pediatrics, Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Emergency Department, PICU/TICU, Pediatric CVICU, OR/PACU, etc.

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What is STEP?

STEP is an unpaid program for S2 Nursing students to complete their senior capstone clinical experience at Children’s Health.
This guarantees a spot in the following Summer or Fall residency cohort 🡪 Automatic job after graduation in a pediatric specialty !!!
STEP places you in a pediatric specialty based on your interview and personal preferences and allows you to experience the unit you will be on before starting residency.

How do I apply to STEP?

During your S1 semester, Taylor Dukes or Aletha Rossler will reach out to the S1 cohort and give the link to apply to the STEP program.
Your pediatrics class during your S1 semester also might announce it as well.
The application for STEP is only for select nursing colleges ( TWU, UTA, Baylor, West Coast).
Generally, they take around <8 students per cohort ( Mine had 7 students).
Fall 2025 STEP program application opens March 3^rd, 2025- March 14^th, 2025.

Children’s Health New Grad Residency

1-year-long residency-based program that transitions new grad nurses into professional practice.
Typically, residency involves training classes depending on the specialty, an assigned preceptor for a certain amount of months while training, and a residency project that is completed and presented at the 1-year mark.
Residency allows new grad nurses the opportunity to go into a pediatric specialty right after graduating from nursing school( typically, the only way to get into a pediatric specialty without RN experience).

Children’s Health Residency Info/Contact

Three start dates throughout the year: February, July, October.

Children’s Health Nurse Externship

Children’s Health Nurse Externship: 10-week paid program from June to August that allows Nursing students to experience to shadow/work in a pediatric setting and gain valuable hands-on experience with the pediatric population.
Be able to pick from a variety of specialties that range from pediatric surgery to pediatric critical care.
Great opportunity to learn about pediatrics and to get a feel if working in a pediatric environment is the right fit for you.
Website: https://www.childrens.com/for-healthcare-professionals/nursing-services/nurse-externship
Email: NurseExtern@childrens.com

Common Q&A’s/misconceptions regarding Pediatrics and Children’s Health

I don’t have much clinical/hospital experience, how do I stand out in applications? Any experience is experience. Children’s Health loves to see any type of experience working with kids 🡪 babysitting, Daycare, After-school tutoring, Teaching swim lessons, Lifeguard, etc.
Is Pediatrics as emotionally difficult as friends/family say it is? Yes, it’s not easy, there have been many things that I didn’t expect to see in the pediatric population. However, it is very rewarding when you are able to make a sick kid’s day better or see a really sick kid improve and eventually go home.
Is Pediatric Clinical during my S1 semester a true representation of what working in a pediatric environment is like? Honestly, I would say no. You get 5 days in pediatric clinical days and are usually on lower acuity units. So much more happens in a 12-hour shift versus the 6-hour’s that you are on the floor as a student. Not to mention you don’t get to be as hands-on on as in adult clinical.