Cooperative Education, at the University Of North Dakota College Of Nursing, is an educational concept that enables students to integrate classroom and laboratory learning with practical, professional experience in a health care agency.  It is based on the philosophy that learning extends beyond the classroom and the combination of classroom learning and practical experience is a superior method of education.  Students are paid employees of the health care agency while they earn elective credit for this additional clinical experience.  Each learning/working experience is individualized according to the student’s prior academic and work experience and the needs of the employing agencies.  Students have the opportunity to perform skills learned in prior and concurrent nursing courses while under the guidance of agency staff.

To be eligible to participate in Cooperative Education, you must:

• be admitted and enrolled in the College of Nursing
• have satisfactorily completed N288 or N371
• have a GPA of at least 2.5

Students may elect to register for either 1 or 2 credits.

1 credit equates to 120 – 300 work hours per semester (8 – 20 hours per week)
2 credits equates to 301 – 600 work hours per semester (21 – 40 hours per week)

There are two types of cooperative education experiences:

Parallel Co-op:  Students work at Cooperative position part-time (often weekends) while attending regular classes.

Summer Co-op:  Students are enrolled in a Co-op work experience rather than classes during the summer. 

Student testimonial-1 (Real Player)
Student testimonial-2 (Real Player)

Allina Health System, Minneapolis, MN
Altru Health System, Grand Forks, ND
Bigfork Valley Hospital, Bigfork, MN
Havenwood Care Center, Bemidji, MN
Hillcrest-Adams, Hibbing, MN
Innovis Health, Fargo, ND
Kittson Memorial Healthcare Ctr., Hallock, MN
Marshall Manor/Good Samaritan, Warren, MN
MeritCare Hospital, Fargo ND
Mountrail County Medical Center, Stanley, ND
North Country Hospital, Bemidji, MN
Northwood Deaconess Health Center, Northwood, ND
Presentation Medical Center, Rolla, ND
Riverview Healthcare Association, Crookston, MN
St. Alexius Medical Center, Bismarck, ND
St. Mary's Regional Hospital, Detroit Lakes, MN
Towner County Medical Center, Cando, ND
Trinity Hospital, Minot, ND
Tri-Valley Opportunity Council (Head Start) Manvel, ND & Grafton, ND
Valley Memorial Homes, Grand Forks, ND
Valley 4000 . Grand Forks, ND
Villa St. Vincent, Crookston, MN

All cooperative education positions have been filled for Fall 2009. Please check back for Spring and Summer 2010 positions coming soon.

View the presentation - http://cilt.breeze.und.edu/t6op83d.9dfxns/

1. You must meet the following requirements:
1. Be admitted and enrolled in the College of Nursing
2. Have satisfactorily completed N371/N321
3. Have a GPA of at least 2.5
2. Attend (or view) the coop orientation session and setup a file with Career Services:
1. Orientation sessions run frequently each week. Check Career Service website for dates and times.
2. Your file will include a resume, two reference forms, and a departmental approval form.
3. Get departmental approval to participate in cooperative education:
1. Make an appointment with faculty coordinator to complete departmental approval form - contact Chris Harsell at 777-2403 or christineharsell@mail.und.edu
2. Bring a copy of your unofficial transcripts.
   
4. Obtain a coop position:
1. Positions are posted on Career Services and/or College of Nursing websites including the 3rd floor coop ed bulletin board at the College of Nursing.
2. Students may also wish to pursue coops with new agencies. We will be happy to assist you in contacting the HR department to discuss cooperative education.
5. Once you have a coop position:
1. Notify the faculty coordinator that you have a position and to receive a permission code to register for the course.
2. Attend agency orientation/education sessions as directed by your employer.
3. Complete course orientation and homework as directed by course coordinator.

If you are planning on continuing as a cooperative education student, please make sure you have the following up to date:

1. Maintain GPA of 2.5 - including no clinical or coop failures.
2. Keep an updated resume on file at career services.
3. Obtain a new coop position OR make sure your employer knows you wish to keep your current coop position.
4. Once you have (or know you are keeping) a coop position:
   1. Complete the “employment data form” on career services homework webpage.
   2. Notify the faculty coordinator that you have a position to receive a permission code to register for the course.
   3. Attend agency orientation/education sessions as directed by your employer.
   4. Complete course orientation and homework as directed by course coordinator.

Forms:

• Personal Reference Form
• Employer mid-term evaluation
• Employer final evaluation

• Cover Letter (PowerPoint)
• Nursing Resume Template (MS Word)
• Formatting Tips for the NURSING RESUME WIZARD TEMPLATE (MS Word)
• Career Services Co-op Orientation (PowerPoint)
• http://www.career.und.edu/

Contact for more information about the nursing cooperative education experience:

Christine Harsell, MS RN
Clinical Instructor, Nursing Cooperative Education Advisor
University of North Dakota
College of Nursing, Room 329
430 Oxford Street, Stop 9025
Grand Forks, ND 58202-9025
Office: 701-777-2403
Fax: 701-777-4096
Email: christineharsell@mail.und.edu

or

Terry Erickson, MA
University of North Dakota
Career/Cooperative Education Coordinator
McCannel Hall,  Box 9014
Grand Forks,  ND  58202
701-777-4105
terryerickson@mail.und.edu