Kara Bischoff Internship with Northwestern Medicine Prentice Women’s Hospital
Name: Kara Bischoff
Class: 2020
Major: Nursing
Hometown: Chicago, Illinois.
Interning with: Northwestern Medicine Prentice Women’s Hospital
Location: Chicago, Illinois
Position: SNI- Student Nurse Intern
- What are your everyday responsibilities as an intern?
My day to day responsibilities as an intern include looking up all my patients’ information (Mother and Baby) and making sure I know the specific medications each one is taking. I am responsible for introducing myself to each of my patients and their families and for taking care of any needs they may have to make families as comfortable as possible during their stay. My preceptor nurse works with me every shift to instill her knowledge and let me practice my new clinical skills which include blood draws, IV and catheter removals, mother and baby assessments, blood sugars, and baby baths. I am responsible for charting and monitoring all my patients’ vitals and assessments throughout the day. I also attend weekly classroom meetings with the other interns in my program to learn and practice new clinical skills one on one with nurses and doctors from the hospital. I get the privilege to be present at weekly meetings as well that have knowledgeable employees within NM Medicine discussing his or her research studies and different career opportunities within the field of medicine.
- How did you land this internship?
I landed this internship by applying as soon as the application process came out. I worked vigorously with the career center by setting up appointments to learn proper interview etiquette, what specific questions to expect, and to help edit my resume that I had been revising and building up throughout my college career. I reached out to professors for knowledgeable tips and advice as well as alumni from my sorority in the same career field. I am beyond grateful for the Wesleyan Faculty and Alumni for working with me and helping me feel fully prepared for my interview process.
- What drew you to this internship?
What drew me to this internship was that I had always dreamed about working downtown Chicago, specifically at Northwestern. I made this a goal of mine I wanted to reach since the middle of my freshman year. Northwestern, being the #1 hospital in Illinois, would give me an incredible opportunity to build a career and learn from some of the most intelligent nurses and doctors around. I have a passion for working with mothers and babies for I find the process of growth and development so intriguing. I wanted to be able to strengthen my knowledge and gain clinical skills. I knew after discussing the internship program with a NM representative at the career fair and researching more that the summer program would be an incredible opportunity me.
- How did IWU prepare you for succeeding as an intern?
Illinois Wesleyan helped me prepare to succeed as an intern by instilling the importance of working outside of my comfort zone to reach my goals. The small, family atmosphere of the campus has allowed me to make connections with many students, professors, and staff who inspire and guide me to reach my own ambitions in life. Having the opportunity to have access to the School of Nursing Skills Lab has allotted me to practice an abundance of skills on high tech simulation equipment, making me feel confident and prepared going into a clinical setting. Illinois Wesleyan provides numerous tools and references to use in order to succeed in a future career.
- What do you hope to gain from this internship experience as you look forward to being a student/professional?
From this internship, I hope to gain new knowledge and even more passion for the career field of my choice. I am looking to strengthen my communication skills with patients and coworkers, which will be very beneficial for my future. I aspire to meet and form new relationships with professionals in which I will learn an abundance of clinical skills and life lessons from.
- What's been a particularly rewarding experience as an intern?
It has been very rewarding seeing the happiness a healthy baby can bring a family. Seeing mom, dad, grandparents, and siblings’ eyes light up when they first get to meet their new family member has been truly a blessing and makes all the long hours and hard work worth it. Getting to know families and seeing the progress throughout their stay leading up to mom and baby getting to go home is a unique experience to see. Experiencing how thankful families are to the nurses on the floor, including me has been so fulfilling. As an intern, specifically it has been satisfying to complete new clinical skills such as blood draws and assessments. I also find the experience of building relationships with the nurses and managers on my floor so valuable, as you learn you rely on each to work as one whole team.
- In your opinion, why is it important for students to experience internships?
I feel it is important for students to experience internships because students are able to gain insight into what a typical work day in his or her future may look like. One is able to form relationships and learn how it is to work with coworkers and managers as a cohesive group. An internship allows one to make sure the career field of choice is truly the one he or she is passionate about. The opportunities that arise from internships are numerous and are so beneficial to the future of the student’s career.