Each of these councils have independent and interdependent functions within this model. At the center of the model is Professional Governance Congress, which brings together representatives from every practice environment. The membership of Executive Council is the chairs of the Congress and the eight Professional Governance Councils. This council is the governing body for Professional Governance.
RN Residency Program
Nemours offers a one-year RN Residency Program, known as the Graduate Nurse Essential Curriculum (GNEC). This program is designed to support new nurses as they transition into confident, competent pediatric professionals. Throughout your first year — and extending into your second — you will receive dedicated support from our Transition to Practice Clinical Nurse Educator.
The residency includes instructor led classes, simulation based learning, and clinical experiences that strengthen both your knowledge and hands on skills. All nurses with less than one year of professional experience are automatically enrolled.
The goal of the RN Residency Program is to provide meaningful learning opportunities and peer connection, helping new nurses build confidence and achieve success in their roles as Registered Nurses. This program complements your unit based orientation; together, they ensure you are well prepared to grow in your role and provide the highest level of care to our patients.
Nemours is proud to be a two time accredited Practice Transition Accreditation Program (PTAP) site, reflecting our ongoing commitment to excellence in nurse transition, education, and professional development. Learn more
The Emerging Scholar Programs
The Emerging Scholars Program supports nurses and interprofessional colleagues in developing and completing quality improvement, research, or evidence based practice initiatives. The program includes a structured didactic curriculum combined with a collaborative learning environment designed to guide participants from project conception to completion. Applicants participate in a formal application process, which includes manager endorsement and a brief summary of the problem they are seeking to address. Two nurse scientists, Sarah E. Wawrzynski PhD CCRN and Kathryn Shady PhD OCN, provide mentorship throughout the program, offering individualized guidance on methods and fostering peer collaborations to help participants advance their scholarly work. Scholars are encouraged to attend with a partner and involve key informants in their project. This interdisciplinary approach enhances the likelihood that participants’ projects will be successful and lead to meaningful improvements in patient care, clinical practice, and nursing outcomes. Projects are typically completed within 1–2 years following enrollment in the program. Upon completion of projects Scholars are supported in preparing abstracts, presenting at conferences, and drafting publications.
Nursing Advancement @ Nemours
Nursing Advancement @ Nemours (NA@N) is designed to recognize clinical and advanced practice registered nurses for their contributions to the Nursing and Nemours strategic initiatives. The program provides an avenue for promotion and acknowledgement of the nurses’ advanced clinical competency while at the same time keeping nursing expertise close to the patient and family.
Affiliated Schools of Nursing
Affiliated with more than 25 schools of nursing in the Delaware Valley and beyond, Nemours Children’s Hospital, Delaware and its network of primary care and specialty care practices offer clinical training for pre-licensure nursing students and registered nurses seeking advanced education through master’s and doctoral programs. Nursing students at all levels gain exposure to children with a wide variety of health conditions and receive extensive support from experienced nurse preceptors. Students also have access to additional educational content through the Nemours Medical Library and Nemours nursing continuing professional development activities.
Student Nurse Advancement Program (SNAP)
Establishes a structured pathway for professional development tailored to nursing students in their final year of nursing school. SNAP program requirements help the nursing student who is employed at Nemours come to understand and appreciate the professional scope of pediatric nursing at Nemours Children’s Health, Delaware Valley (NCHDV). Participation in the program provides candidates with experiences that will help to prepare them for their professional nursing career.
Mentor Program
The Nemours Nurse Mentor program was designed to facilitate the professional transition of novice nurses post-Nurse Residency and for experienced nurses who are new to pediatrics. This program focuses on continuing professional development, interprofessional communication, patient safety initiatives and socialization into the nursing department at Nemours. Mentees are introduced to their assigned mentor two weeks before the end of their orientation.
