Medical-Surgical and Subspecialty Nursing

Our nurse resident alumni share their experiences within Medical-Surgical and Subspecialty Nursing.

The Medical-Surgical and Subspecialty track in our accredited nurse residency program provides the broadest possible exposure to pediatric nursing.

Laura Aguilar BSN, RN

Miguel Garcia BSN, RN

Hailee Storie BS, BSN, RN

Payton Williams, BSN, RN

Click here for unit descriptions

Application requirements

At Cook Children's, we believe that preparing our nurses to provide compassionate, family-centered care to our patients and families is of the utmost importance. The skills you will learn here will also give you the tools to educate children with a variety of complex diagnoses about their condition and teach them and their family members how to manage their care.

Letters of recommendation:

Two (2) letters of recommendation from references who can attest to your clinical skills, such as a clinical professor or preceptor. Recommendation letters received from individuals who cannot speak to clinical skills will not be accepted. Letters must be submitted by your references and emailed to nurse.residency@cookchildrens.org.

DO NOT submit letters of recommendation as attachments to your online application.

In order to be accepted, the letter of recommendation must be completed on the template. Download the letter of recommendation template by clicking the button below. Letters of recommendation are not accepted from applicants.

Letter of recommendation

Online application, resume, essay and transcript:

Complete the online application for the specialty track of choice. Submit your professional resume, essay and transcript as attachments to your online application where prompted to attach the resume. This link is only available during the application window.

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Essay-In a single APA 7th edition formatted essay, please answer the following prompts using these subheadings:

Experience-In 500 words or less, share a life experience that contributed to your own personal growth.
Attribute-In 500 words or less, share an experience when you demonstrated a personal attribute that could enhance your ability to practice professional pediatric nursing and function effectively on a team.
Employment/volunteer work-In 500 words or less, share an experience from your employment or volunteer work where you demonstrated professionalism and perseverance.

Nursing school transcript-unofficial transcripts are acceptable.

*The use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools, such as ChatGPT, are prohibited. By submitting your application and/or supporting documents, you attest that you have personally authored the content. You may utilize basic word processing software for spelling and grammar checks, but the use of AI tools to create your work is strictly prohibited. Your documents may be screened using plagiarism detection software to identify AI-generated content. Your application or supporting documents will not be considered if AI tools are utilized.

Program details

Phase I

Clinical Rotations

Each 4-week rotation provides specialty unit hands-on experience with the pediatric patient.
Each nurse resident works with a unit guide. Nurse residents benefit from the knowledge and guidance of an experienced nurse in the clinical setting as they deliver patient care together.

Experience week

At the end of Phase I, nurse residents will spend designated time with “Partners in Caring” such as pharmacy, radiology, laboratory, quality and many others.
Nurse residents will also experience a designated clinical shift outside of their chosen clinic track.

Phase II

Unit placement

Phase II begins with each nurse resident receiving a unit assignment. A matching process determines nurse residents' placement into open positions after considering all three of these components:
- Organizational needs include unit openings and varied shift availability (days, nights and weekends).
- Unit leadership and staff provide input into the placement of each nurse resident for each specialty unit.
- Nurse residents have the opportunity to express their feedback for each specialty unit.

Didactic learning

Throughout the program, all nurse residents in all specialty tracks will attend eight-hour class days as a cohort.
The classes provide an interactive learning environment to increase engagement, clinical knowledge and professional growth.
During Phase II, in addition to the nurse residency classes, unit-specific classes are provided for each clinical specialty area through unit-specific orientation.

More information

Questions regarding Cook Children's Nurse Residency program may be directed via email to the Nurse Residency program assistant at nurse.residency@cookchildrens.org.