LAUNCH Nurse Trainee Program

Kids Are Our Everything.

Department

Pay Range

Nursing students from all accredited nursing schools are welcome to apply.

Who We Are:

Only in pediatrics can you save a lifetime.®

The LAUNCH Program

Our program is for nursing students who are midway through their nursing program and have completed a medical, surgical and/or pediatric clinical rotation. This 12- to 14-week paid summer internship includes a four-day orientation, additional clinical orientation to an assigned unit and the opportunity to work closely with a nurse manager, preceptor and supervisor. As a LAUNCH Nurse Trainee, you will experience what it really is like to be a pediatric nurse and you will be able to complete all the tasks a certified nursing assistant may perform. For 2027, the program will have two start dates: May 10 and May 24.

All applications should include:

• Completed application
• Cover letter *
• Resume: Be sure to outline clinical experience *
• Transcript (Official or unofficial) *
• Two letters of reference: One letter should be from clinical faculty *

* All requested documents must be attached to your official application. Emailed documents will not be accepted.

Selected candidates will then be invited to attend a virtual interview with a member of the Nurse Recruitment team. Interviews will be recorded and shared with unit leadership. The interviews will be held in January 2027. Final decisions and unit placements will be made by February 2027.

About the Role:

In collaboration with the multi-disciplinary health care delivery team, under the direction and supervision of the Registered Nurse performs basic nursing care activities to a defined group of patients.

What You’ll Bring:

Required Skills/Knowledge

Must maintain good academic standing in an accredited nursing program and make progress toward graduation.

Required Licenses and Certifications

Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) .

Functional Accountabilities

Direct Patient Care

• Provide direct patient care under the supervision of the Registered Nurse

• Collect data and accurately documents information on appropriate forms/flow sheets.

• Perform activities as assigned by Registered Nurse and reports any recognized changes in vital signs, color, breathing, behavior ,

• consciousness level, or change in neuro-vascular status of limbs.

• Provide basic nursing care, which may include IV maintenance and termination, basic wound care, simple burn care, chest PT , catheter care, etc.

• Assist patients with performing ADL’s or total care needs (bathing, dressing, toileting, grooming and feeding).

• Assist with transport and transfer of patients as directed.

Patient Flow & Unit Efficiency

• Maintain a neat and orderly environment.

• Provide a safe environment for patients, e.g. side rails up, ID band in place, call system available, etc.

• Assemble equipment/supplies as directed by Registered Nurse for examinations/procedures.

• Assist team members with examinations/procedures as directed.

• Prioritize tasks and special request.

• Complete assigned patient care tasks promptly with minimal assistance and reports inability to complete task to Registered Nurse.

Communication

• Use tactful/diplomatic communications with patients, families, visitors, and care team members/hospital personnel.

• Use basic verbal and non-verbal communication skills with patients and families recognizing different levels of education and cultures.

• Orient patient, family and visitors to the policies and procedures of the unit and Hospital as needed.

• Respond to questions/request in a helpful manner.

• Answer patient/family/visitor questions regarding unit routines/activities and refers other inquires to appropriate personnel.

• Seek assistance from care team member when confronted with an unfamiliar situations or problem.

Responsibility

• Follow all hospital/departmental policies and procedures.

• Accept direction from Registered Nurse in assigned area and charge nurse.

• Seek confirmation before making decisions in unfamiliar situations.

• Adhere to principles of pediatric safety by identifying & reporting safety hazards to charge nurse.

• Remain on unit during assigned tour of duty, notifying charge nurse and appropriate care team members when leaving the unit for patient care related errands or assigned breaks.

• Use downtime productively during assigned tour of duty.

Education

• Attend all scheduled education session.

• Collaborate with all assigned team in the development of the assignments and capstone project.

• Consult with nurse educators/scientist to apply evidence based practice to capstone project.

• Prepare and present/deliver capstone project at directed

• Assume responsibility by seeking learning opportunities on and off the unit through shadowing experience, attendance nursing or hospital grand rounds and/or meeting attendance.

• Maintain a weekly self-reflection journal.

Benefits That Support You:

• Comprehensive health coverage, including medical, prescription, infertility, and transgender health services.
• Generous paid time off, including vacation accrual from day one, sick leave, holidays, and a personal day.
• Financial wellness support, including a 401(k) plan and healthcare and dependent care spending accounts.
• Employer-paid life, AD&D, and long-term disability coverage, with optional supplemental plans.
• Additional perks, including tuition assistance, fitness resources, employee assistance, commuter benefits, and more.

Why Join Us:

• Nationally Recognized Excellence - Consistently ranked among the Top 10 Children’s Hospitals in the nation by U.S. News & World Report.
• Leading Pediatric Care - One of the largest and most comprehensive children’s hospitals in the country, offering nationally ranked specialties and cutting-edge treatments.
• Innovation & Research - A premier academic medical center with a strong commitment to pediatric research, education, and advancing the future of child health.
• Mission-Driven Culture - Dedicated to providing family-centered care while fostering a collaborative, supportive environment for clinical teams.

The disclosed salary range includes the minimum and maximum rates within which Children’s National believes an individual’s base pay rate will fall for this position. It is not typical for an individual to be hired at or near the maximum of the pay range. The exact pay rate for this position will be based on a variety of factors in alignment with the Children’s National compensation philosophy. These factors are legitimate and non-discriminatory including, but not limited to, the current market conditions; organizational needs; the individual’s combination of prior work experience, level of education, knowledge, skills, and other qualifications. Children’s National is committed to providing a fair and competitive total rewards package to each of our employees. This base salary range does not include our comprehensive benefits package or any additional compensation for which this position may be eligible.

Childrens National Hospital is an equal opportunity employer that evaluates qualified applicants without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, marital status, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender, identity, or other characteristics protected by law. The “Know Your Rights” poster is available here: and the pay transparency policy is available here: Know Your RightsPay Transparency Nondiscrimination Poster.

Please note that it is the policy of Children's National Hospital to ensure a “drug-free” work environment: a workplace free from the illegal use, possession or distribution of controlled substances (as defined in the Controlled Substances Act), or the misuse of legal substances, by all staff (management, employees and contractors). Though recreational and medical marijuana are now legal in the District of Columbia, Children's National and its affiliates maintain the right, in accordance with our policy, to enforce a drug-free workplace, including prohibiting recreational or prescribed marijuana.