Nursing Internship
The Department of Health and Human Services is the host site for several colleges and universities. For over 20 years, nurses in Health services have worked with several schools to provide a rich training in a community health setting. We collaborate with your instructor to ensure clinical objectives are met and offer many opportunities to improve clinical skills, develop leadership skills, and promote health in the community. We will work with you and your school to make this community health training a positive learning experience.
The Department of Health and Human Services is the host site for several colleges and universities. For over 20 years, nurses in Health services have worked with several schools to provide a rich training in a community health setting. We collaborate with your instructor to ensure clinical objectives are met and offer many opportunities to improve clinical skills, develop leadership skills, and promote health in the community. We will work with you and your school to make this community health training a positive learning experience.
We accept students enrolled in various programs including associate/practical nursing program, baccalaureate nursing program, RN to BSN completion program, capstone project-program, and other health related career programs. Each program has a different focus:
- Associate/Practical Nursing Program prepares students who will graduate with an associate or practical degree in nursing. Their focus is to observe and practice skills in the community health setting. Health Services has several opportunities for students to participate in community-based experiences. Nursing students are on-site with their instructor for immunization or adult health clinics. Students also assist nurses with the vision and hearing screening program. The clinical is during the fall and spring semesters.
- Baccalaureate Nursing Program students spend their last semester of school at our site during their community and public health nursing clinical rotation. They gain clinical skills and often do a project or presentation. This clinical is usually in the spring and lasts one trimester or one semester. Students are here most days with their instructors who supervise them.
- RN to BSN Completion Program is for current RNs in a BSN completion program. Nurses work on the leadership component in their curriculum. There are several opportunities to meet leadership objectives in this department. Nursing interns should plan to attend several clinics and meetings each week in addition to a project (as required by your school). Nurses research and develop a teaching project that focuses on the needs of a specific group or target population in this area. This clinical is in the fall (September – December) or spring (January – May) semester. Students are on site approximately 4 - 8 hours each week (64 hours per semester) or as required by your school. (Mondays and Wednesdays required.)
- Capstone Projects—please email Cathy Dagian to discuss the type of program/project.
- Health Career Program—please email Cathy Dagian at Catherine.Dagian@vohe.org or Gina McCauley at Gina.McCauley@vohe.org to discuss the type of program/project.
We offer several activities to help meet course objectives for your community health internship:
- Observe/participate in clinics and programs provided by the health services department: Immunization Clinics, Adult Health Clinics, Vision and Hearing Screenings, and other programs
- Attend and collaborate with staff in departmental meetings and with external agencies
- Develop a health education program/project for target population—employees or community
The nurses are always available to provide support and feedback to develop professional skills and improve the learning experience.
Application materials should be mailed or emailed to:
Catherine Dagian, RN, BSN
Nursing Supervisor
Village of Hoffman Estates
Department of Health and Human Services
1900 Hassell Road
Hoffman Estates, IL 60169
Catherine.Dagian@vohe.org
Please include the following:
- Cover letter with your request, school information, type of internship, dates, hours needed.
- Resume
The Nursing Supervisor will contact you to set up a time to interview.
Catherine T. Dagian, RN, BSN
Catherine T. Dagian is a registered nurse and the Nursing Supervisor at the Village of Hoffman Estates. She earned her Associate’s Degree in Science from Harper College and went on to pursue a baccalaureate degree in nursing from Rush University. Cathy has been with the Village of Hoffman Estates Department of Health and Human Services since 2003. Prior to that she worked in hospital and home health settings. Cathy is a member of the Harper College Nursing Advisory Committee and the Northwest Municipal Nurse’s Association. As a preceptor, Cathy has worked with students from a variety of schools in the area to provide valuable clinical experiences for them. She collaborates with instructors to be sure that course objectives are met, coordinates clinics, and works with students to identify projects to promote health based on desired learning and department/community needs. It is our hope that students have a positive learning experience.
Gina McCauley, RN, BSN
Gina McCauley joined the Village of Hoffman Estates as the Community Health Nurse in 2018. She obtained her Associates Degree in Nursing and Applied Science from Harper College, and later achieved her Bachelors of Science in Nursing at Chamberlain University. Her previous experience working with patients in medical, surgical, and pediatric settings help to promote public health. Gina currently mentors students in Associate Degree programs as well as students in BSN completion programs. She offers support by working with each student on individual projects and goals.