What is a Child Life Specialist A Child's Expectations
Child Life Specialists have earned a Bachelor’s or a Master’s degree in a child development related field. They focus on helping children and families understand the health care environment and develop ways to cope, while supporting their strengths as a family. When children don’t know what to expect, they will begin to imagine what to expect, and often, things that they dream up are far worse than what will really happen.

The Child Life Specialists at The Nebraska Medical Center are professionals that are specially trained to help children and their families cope within the healthcare setting. Being away from home, routines, and unfamiliar people only add to the stress of being sick and hospitalized. Our Child Life staff is here to help.

Does the Nebraska Medical Center offer a Child Life internship?

Yes. The Nebraska Medical Center offers spring, summer and fall internships. The program provides students opportunities for the following experiences: planning and implementing recreational, therapeutic and educational activities for patients in the playroom and at bedside; preparing patients for medical procedures, and providing support during procedures; attending patient rounds, supervising Volunteers and learn to identify the role of various multidisciplinary team.

In addition to general pediatric illnesses, the patient population at The Nebraska Medical Center is largely comprised of solid organ transplant (including liver, small bowel, kidney), bone marrow transplant, hematology/oncology, cystic fibrosis, and GI (gastrointestinal) patients.

During the internship, students will spend 3 weeks with each specialist (for a total of 12 weeks) learning about different psychosocial needs of the different age groups, complete a series of modules on a variety of topics such as: preparation, distraction, bereavement, cultural diversity, solid organ transplants, bone marrow transplants, and early preschool education, as well as being exposed to referrals from adult units for interventions with children of adult patients. Upon completion of the internship, students will have completed 560 hours, working 40 hours over a period of 14 weeks.

Application deadlines are:
Spring September 5th
Summer January 5th
Fall May 5th

For more information regarding our internship program, please call (402)559-6775 or email, dconklin@nebraskamed.com.

Child Life Internship Application

Does the Nebraska Medical Center offer a Child Life practicum?

Yes. We offer practicum experiences to help prepare students for child life internships. The practicum is designed to help students.

  • Become comfortable in a hospital environment
  • Become familiar with typical diagnosis/treatments encountered in this setting
  • Observe a wide range of Child Life Services and interventions provided to patients and their families
  • Engage hospitalized children in play
  • Become an educated observer of hospitalized children’s play
  • Gain a greater understanding of the Child Life profession
Application deadlines are:
Spring September 5th
Summer January 5th
Fall May 5th

Child Life Practicum Application