Jessica Holt

Can you provide a brief overview of your organization’s mission and values?

Valley Children’s is one of the largest pediatric healthcare systems in the United States, serving more than 1.3 million children annually across Central California. The Valley Children’s Healthcare system includes: a 358-bed, freestanding hospital in Madera, County and a network of specialty care centers, pediatric primary care practices and women’s health services extending from the Central Coast to the Sierra Nevada. Valley Children’s has a mission to provide highquality, comprehensive healthcare services to children, regardless of their ability to pay, and to continuously improve the health and wellbeing of children. Valley Children’s Core Values are Excellence, Compassion, Integrity, Innovation, Collaboration and Stewardship. Valley Children’s vision is to deliver the nation’s best healthcare for kids and to become the nation’s best children’s hospital.

In what ways does your organization support career development and professional growth for students?

Valley Children’s cultivates both clinical and leadership development through formal education, career progression frameworks, mentorship, experiential learning, and supportive leadership forums. This promotes a culture of continuous improvement, retention, engagement, and professional excellence across disciplines.

1. Tuition reimbursement is included as part of the comprehensive employee benefits package.
2. A variety of Continuing Medical Education (CME) and Continuing Education (CE) courses are available to enhance clinical knowledge and skills.
3. Nursing-specific programs include:
   i. A Clinical Advancement Program that enables nurses to progress in their careers through demonstrated clinical excellence and leadership.
   ii. Nursing scholarship awards to support ongoing academic advancement.
   iii. A career pathway program in partnership with Fresno State, offering an Associate-to-Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) track with full tuition coverage and paid study time, allowing nurses to balance work and education effectively.
4. A Clinical Ladder Program is available for select roles, providing structured promotional opportunities based on experience, performance, and professional development.

What specific resources, programs, and/or opportunities does your organization offer to students?

Children’s offers a robust array of student programs, clinical experiences, internships, and observational opportunities across nursing, allied health, medical, and administrative fields.

• Nursing Student Programs
  1. Pediatric Nurse Extern (PNE) Program:
     Open to students who have completed at least two semesters of nursing school and are enrolled in an approved work-study program. PNEs gain hands-on experience in acute care, ICUs, perioperative areas, and clinics—performing skills like medication administration under RN supervision. Upon licensure, PNEs receive credit toward their base pay rate
  2. New Graduate Opportunities & Transition to Practice (TTP) Program:
     Pre-graduation, students may apply for RN I positions. Once hired, graduates enter a structured orientation (2–4 months) and a 12-month Transition to Practice program featuring monthly didactic sessions, simulations, and mentoring. TTP cohorts begin quarterly and include interprofessional debriefings
• Allied Health & Medical Student Experiences
  1. Allied Health Clinical Rotations & Internships:
     Valley Children’s partners with universities to provide clinical training hours across many disciplines: respiratory care, radiology, child life, physical/occupational therapy, social work, pharmacy, medical interpreting, and healthcare administration, among others. Over 1,000 students participate annually.
  2. Visiting Medical Student Electives (Fourth-Year):
     Through the AAMC VSLO system, fourth-year M.D. and D.O. students may complete one or two pediatric electives in specialties like PICU, cardiology, NICU, endocrinology, GI, hematology/oncology, nephrology, and rheumatology. Optional community outreach roles with the Mobile Health Unit and free clinics are also offered
• Internships & Academic Partnerships
  1. Fresno State Internship Program:
     Launched in 2023, this semester-long, paid cohort internship spans disciplines such as child life, research, clinical education, business development, and therapies. Interns perform meaningful work and gain visibility with executive leaders. Several participants have transitioned into permanent roles.
  2. Job Shadowing & Observational Programs:
     Valley Children’s offers unpaid job shadow experiences for students to observe daily operations and gain career insight. Internships are also available for students needing clinical hours for certification programs.

Can you describe qualifications or skills that your organization values most in potential candidates? 

Children’s seeks candidates who align with the mission to provide high-quality, compassionate care to children. We value individuals who demonstrate a commitment to excellence, collaboration, and continuous learning. We look for:

• Patient-Centered Compassion: Candidates who understand the importance of being attentive to the well-being of patients and finding satisfaction in making a profound impact on the lives of children and their families.
• Mission-Driven Dedication: Candidates who share in the excitement for the organization and community, and who are motivated by the mission to provide high-quality healthcare services to children, are highly valued.
• Collaborative Team Player: Valley Children’s values individuals who work well in team settings, believing in the philosophy that “We are all in this together.” Collaboration among multidisciplinary teams is essential to providing comprehensive care.

Where can students go to learn more about your organization and career opportunities?

https://jobs.valleychildrens.org