The fellowship allows nurses to work in a broad spectrum of patient care situations while enhancing their nursing skills under the guidance of expert mentors trained in these specialities.

The Medical/Surgical Nursing Fellowship is an extended orientation program designed for new graduate nurses and nurses returning to the acute care setting. This fellowship is designed to:

• provide an in-depth didactic experience
• provide a supervised clinical practicum
• prepare the nurse in an area of choice, such as oncology, medicine, neuroscience, orthopedics, general surgery, vascular surgery or trauma.

Each participant’s individual educational goals are assessed prior to the program. This allows the fellowship coordinator, preceptors and presenters to assist the fellow in meeting his or her goals. This level of program customization helps to create a unique educational experience while meeting individual goals and the common goals of the fellowship.

Fellowship Content
The Medical/Surgical Fellowship is offered three times a year. Fellowship course length is determined by the participant’s area of interest, educational goals and prior medical training, and can vary from eight to 12 weeks.

Classroom assignments correlate with experiences on the nursing unit, to assist the participant in the transition from the academic environment to the workplace. This classroom period includes instruction in:

• anatomy and physiology
• assessment
• history
• physical
• diagnostic studies
• nursing interventions.

A clinical practicum is incorporated into the program. Fellowship participants must pass a medication exam before proceeding to the clinicals.

Presenters and Preceptors
A variety of speakers will present during the program, including physical, speech and respiratory therapists, a pain management nurse, advanced clinical nurses, and physicians.

Each participant is assigned to a primary fellowship preceptor with clinical experience in medical/surgical nursing. The clinical portion of the program is built on the foundation of expert nursing mentors who are eager to share their knowledge with participants.

These fellowship preceptors are experienced nurses who volunteer their time to assist students and maximize the fellowship experience. This one-on-one support from experienced nurses helps provide fellowship participants with additional training, experience and confidence.

Course Requirements
The Medical/Surgical Fellowship is taught through reading assignments, lectures, demonstrations and hands-on experience. There are required readings, case studies and written exams.

Candidates
Applicants must possess a valid nursing license in the State of Missouri or have recently graduated from an accredited nursing school with eligibility to take Missouri State Boards within 90 days of graduation. The successful candidate will demonstrate excellent communication and interpersonal skills, an enthusiasm to learn, and a commitment to professional development.

Contact Information
Interested candidates should contact Liza Willis, the Medical/Surgical Fellowship coordinator, at 314-251-7921. Or, click here to contact the coordinator by e-mail.