Haven Caulfield '25
Internships provide a bridge between classroom knowledge and professional skills, as Haven Caulfield ’25 has discovered.
As a nursing major from Decatur, Caulfield recently completed an internship at Decatur Memorial Hospital, where she worked on the pediatric unit, gaining hands-on experience and insight into her future career.
Caulfield's nursing journey began in her sophomore year at IC, where she appreciated the support from faculty like Angela Bentley, the program’s director, and a variety of clinical rotations across nursing fields. Although she initially considered emergency or trauma nursing, her internship experiences solidified her interest in pediatric care.
"An internship gives you a whole new view of your chosen field," Caulfield explains. "It lets you see the everyday challenges, the meticulous details, and even the frustrations. It’s the best way to prepare for what’s next."
Starting with an application and multiple interviews, Caulfield’s path to the internship included a series of training sessions and certifications. Once onboard, she shadowed and then took on tasks independently, such as patient care and documentation, under the guidance of an assigned nurse. The experience led her to continue as a part-time technician at the hospital, working shifts during breaks.
For IC students contemplating an internship, Caulfield’s advice is straightforward: “As scary as it is, just go for it. You see what you’re really getting into and gain skills that will be invaluable after graduation.”
Internships like Caulfield’s are essential opportunities for IC students to gain practical experience, build confidence, and confirm their career paths before entering the workforce full-time.