Nursing Fellowship

The Program:

The LEND program --Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and related Disabilities -- is federally funded by Maternal Child Health Bureau (MCHB). One of 35 such programs across the US, LEND prepares professional from 12 core disciplines to work together on interdisciplinary teams that value family centered care and cultural competency. The major goal of the LEND project is to promote the health status of children (and their families) with neurodevelopmental and related disabilities by training professionals for leadership roles, collaboration with other agencies, and participation in policy development on health care. The Interdisciplinary Training Program offers graduate and post-graduate training in 15 disciplines and specialty areas that serve persons with disabilities and their families. The training program provides supervised clinical experience and training that satisfies specified internship requirements. We offer a clinical setting in which interdisciplinary teams of trainees and clinicians practice a family- and person-centered approach to care. The program promotes the development of leadership skills through a core curriculum that imparts knowledge and skills needed for future leadership.

The Nursing Traineeship is part time (16-20 hours per week), nine months in length, and is part of a large multidisciplinary training program. Nursing trainees spend approximately one day in a variety of clinical settings. The remaining hours are spent on research, community experiences, leadership activities, journal clubs, and attending a weekly interdisciplinary seminar. Trainees gain expert knowledge and skills in areas such as family assessment and care coordination, assessment of children with developmental and other disabilities, interdisciplinary practice roles in a variety of clinical and community settings. A modest stipend is available. 

The Setting:

The Child Development and Rehabilitation Center (CDRC) is a tertiary outpatient program associated with Doernbecher Children's Hospital on the campus of the Oregon Health & Science University. Specialized clinical services include craniofacial, spina bifida, hemophilia, child development, neurodevelopmental, feeding, metabolic, genetics, autism, learning and behavioral clinics. Oregon is a rural state. CDRC houses the Oregon Title V program where two strong nursing programs exist -- a network of public health nurses in every county specially trained to work with children, youth with special health needs, and a network of community clinics where children with special health needs can receive specialized care in their own community. OHSU is a major teaching university with schools of medicine, nursing, dentistry, and allied health programs. The university has a large hospital and clinic system of health care and is applying for Magnet Hospital recognitions. OHSU is a leading health research institution and trainees may participate in many research, educational and service activities throughout the university. 

Faculty and Mentors:

Kathleen Shelton, PhD, PNP is the LEND Training Coordinator for Nursing. Throughout CDRC and our Title V program there are many nurse practitioners, nurses with MPHs, and graduate nursing degrees. Many of these expert clinicians serve as mentors to LEND nursing trainees.

Applicant Qualifications:

Applicants must have a Bachelors degree, and be licensed (or eligible for licensure) as an RN in Oregon. Prospective trainees may be enrolled in a graduate program simultaneously while a LEND trainee when the training schedules allow. RNs and nurse practitioners desiring specialized training in developmental disabilities and chronic illness are also welcome to apply.

Letters and Inquiries should be addressed to:

Kathleen Shelton, PhD, PNP
Training Coordinator, Nursing
Child Development and Rehabilitation Center
Oregon Health & Science University
P.O. Box 574 Portland, OR 97207-0574
Phone: (503) 494-8877
Fax: (503) 494-6868
E-mail: sheltonk@ohsu.edu

Last Updated: November 9, 2006