Internships & Programs

NeuroSciences

Patients from around the world travel to the Duke Neurosciences Center. The excellent staff and state of the art services in the neuroscience arena has been ranked 8th in the country by US World News and Report.

That's what you'll find as a Neurosciences Nurse Intern at Duke University Hospital.

During your 2 year internship, you'll receive not just a brief orientation, but year 'round continuing education. You'll grow as you learn and as you're challenged. And you won't be alone. You will have a unit preceptor and a mentor to guide, lead and share personal insights and knowledge with you.

You'll be involved in scheduled lectures, seminars, and clinical rounds that enhance your understanding of the entire continuum of care, both inpatient and outpatient. And you'll share in the highly professional attitudes and respect that flow between nurses and physicians in this unique field. In short, you'll be an active member of a interdisciplinary health care team - professionals serving a major research center, the Southeast's leading teaching hospital and tertiary care center.

Learn a Specialty in Neurosciences Nursing

Available to nurses new to this specialty, the Neurosciences Internship is a 2-year commitment to learning multiple aspects in neurology and neurosurgery. After demonstrating commitment to the unit of employment, the nurse interested in participating in the internship will have the opportunity to complete the application process for the Internship and select from three adult patient focused tracks:

1. Cerebrovascular
2. Spinal
3. Neuro-Oncology

An individualized learning contract outlines expectations for each track that includes clinical, critical thinking and effective communication skills integral to effective bedside practice. All Interns agree to continue their nursing career on one Neuroscience unit for an additional year, making their commitment to the Duke Neurosciences Center a minimum of 2 years.

Year One

As a new nurse, you will begin employment on one of two intermediate, 31 bed units. A comprehensive 6 to 8 week orientation to the unit with an experienced preceptor will emphasize the assessment and basic clinical care required for any Neurosciences patient. Two days of neurosciences core curriculum classes are integrated into the first 6 months of practice to assist you in building general knowledge in the specifics of this patient population.

Year 2

The learning continues with acceptance into the Internship and selection of a patient focused track. You will have a mentor to support and guide you as a bedside expert. You will work with unit leadership and the mentor to choose 72 hours of additional educational experiences that will enhance neuroscience nursing skills. These experiences are not assigned, but selected based on individual interests and learning objectives. In addition, the amount of time spent on each experience is tailored to provide what is needed to meet the individual learning objectives. Examples of the many activities you may request within each of the three adult patient focused tracks include:

To Apply

Interviews for the Neurosciences Internship are held 4 times each year. The applicant must be currently employed on one of the intermediate Neurosciences units and submit:

1. Internship application - nursing@mc.duke.edu
2. A current resume
3. Two letters of recommendation - one faculty, one recent employer or one mentor.
4. A statement of interest in the Duke Neurosciences Nursing Internship.

Once accepted into the program, the internship may start at any time during the year thereafter.

Send To . . .
Neurosciences Nurse Internship
Nurse Recruitment
Box 3714 DUMC
Durham, NC 27710

To be eligible for the internship, the nurse must:

1. Hold a valid nursing license from the NC Board of Nursing
2. Agree to the institutional conditions for hire and salary
3. Be employed in good standing on one of the 2 intermediate inpatient

For Questions Contact ...
Nurse Recruiter - Neurosciences
(919) 684 -6339 OR
1-800-232-6877