Patients from around the world travel to the Duke Neuroscience Center. The excellent staff and state of the art services in the neuroscience arena contributes to Duke University Hospital rank as #6 by US World News and Report.

Following a successful orientation and achievement of Clinical Nurse II status you become eligible for participation in the Neuroscience Nursing Residency Program.

During your 2 year Neuroscience Residency, you'll receive on going continuing education. You'll grow as you learn and as you're challenged. You will have 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 Nursing Residency 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 residency will have the opportunity to complete the application process 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 Residents agree to continue their nursing career on one Neuroscience unit for an additional year, making their commitment to the Duke Neuroscience Center a minimum of 2 years.

Year One

As a new Clincial Nurse II, you will continue employment on one of the Neuroscience inpatient units caring for intermediate, stepdown or critical Neuroscience patients. If you are new to Duke and Neuroscience 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. Three 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. If you joined our staff as a CN I you will have already completed orientation as well as the New Nurse Residency program.

The learning continues with acceptance into the Residency 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 your 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:

Year Two

During the 2^nd year of your residency you will incorporate learning into practice. With continued support from your mentor, you will apply your new knowledge to a patient or staff focused project that could be used for future clinical ladder progression.

To Apply

Interviews for the Neuroscience Residency are held 4 times each year. The applicant must be currently employed on one of the three Neurosciences units and submit:
1. Residency application - nursing@mc.duke.edu
2. A current resume
3. Two letters of recommendation - one coworker, one nurse manager or one mentor.
4. A statement of interest in the Duke Neuroscience Nursing residency

Once accepted into the program, the residency 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 as a CN II on one of the three (3) Neuroscience inpatient units.

For Questions Contact ...
Nurse Recruiter - Neurosciences
(919) 684 -6339 OR
1-800-232-68