Educating the Next Generation of Caregivers

For many students, the best healthcare education isn’t just found in textbooks or through lectures—it’s in the experience of working in real-world settings, where collaboration, support and growth are fostered.

"I want to be in an environment where I'm a valued part of the team and have a safe space to ask questions," pediatric resident Erin Oeltjen, MD said.

At Children’s, Dr. Oeltjen’s desire is not just a goal, but a daily reality she experiences in her work.

Many people know Children’s as a clinical facility. However, for learners, it’s also an interactive classroom and training ground. In fact, Children’s attracts around 2,000 learners annually, including medical, allied health and nursing students.

A unique blend of hands-on learning, mentorship and teamwork at Children’s creates an environment where learners don’t just study medicine—they become valued members of the care team and the future of pediatric care. Partnering with nearly 35 schools and employers, including the University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC), Creighton University School of Medicine, Nebraska Medicine and several nursing schools, the teaching hospital welcomes interns, residents, fellows and staff pursuing continuing education.

One-of-a-Kind Education

At Children’s, education is a fundamental pillar alongside clinical care, research and advocacy. The hospital’s Office of Education aims to improve the learner and faculty experience, enhance teaching methods and provide support across departments. It also ensures children in Omaha—and beyond—have access to healthcare experts with specialized pediatric training.

“In other hospitals, you have a pediatric floor, but Children’s is fully dedicated to pediatric care,” Dr. Oeltjen said. “All the resources, infrastructure and staff are focused on the same goal: taking care of kids.”

This specialized expertise creates one-of-a-kind learning opportunities for students.

“I learned about rare conditions in medical school that my instructors said I’d never encounter in real life,” Dr. Oeltjen said. “But at Children’s, I have cared for patients with some of those conditions. We’re a destination for several pediatric disorders.”

Medicine with a Team Approach

Like many students, Dr. Oeltjen craves educational experiences outside the lecture hall.

Children’s fosters a hands-on learning environment with simulation training to maintain clinical skills. Students bring those skills to real-time hospital settings—working right at the bedside.

Every morning starts with family-centered rounds, during which the entire care team meets with each patient. These rounds allow patients and families to ask questions and participate in care decisions.

“I’ve learned so much about patient care by watching our nursing staff,” she said. “They excel at bringing patients and families into the care team.”

At Children’s, medicine is a team concept. Learners, providers and other experts work across disciplines and departments to improve outcomes.

“We get the best patient outcomes when we work together,” Dr. Oeltjen said. “Patients, families, medical students, bedside staff, doctors, surgeons, pharmacists and dietitians – they all play a critical role in the care we provide.”

An Impact Beyond Borders

Teamwork at Children’s extends beyond Nebraska. As a pediatric healthcare leader, the hospital also partners with 30 countries through academic collaborations.

Global partnerships allow Children’s to have an even wider impact on pediatric healthcare, and the relationships are often reciprocal. International learners come to Children’s to experience American medicine, while local students travel abroad to gain global healthcare experiences. Many Children’s faculty members also travel internationally to train the next generation of caregivers in other parts of the world.

Gaining invaluable global healthcare experience through a Spanish immersion program at UNMC, allowed Dr. Oeltjen to apply her Spanish language skills during her training at Children's. She explains, "I can start building connections with patients and families right away, even before we bring in a professional interpreter."

Having experienced the advantages of international healthcare immersion firsthand, Dr. Oeltjen encourages students to take advantage of the many global experiences offered at Children’s.

“If there’s a particular experience you’re interested in, Children’s works with UNMC and other schools to create new opportunities,” she said.

Inspiration for the Next Generation

As part of her program, Dr. Oeltjen now helps interview fourth-year medical students applying to the pediatric residency program. She’s been able to reflect on her own training and the unique experiences Children’s offers.

“I love talking to new applicants and sharing what makes Children’s so special,” she said. “I want to make their experience as positive as mine.”

Dr. Oeltjen recalls feeling supported by a team of providers at the start of her own training. Now, she aims to create the same compassionate environment for new residents.

“I want students to know that yes, you’ll be challenged at Children’s, but you’ll always have that support,” Dr. Oeltjen said while emphasizing this support lasts far after the program ends.

Children’s hopes to inspire learners to return to the hospital as employees. But no matter where their careers lead, the goal remains the same—advancing pediatric care. By educating the next generation of caregivers, Children’s continues to pay it forward to the children of tomorrow.

“As I apply to fellowship programs, I know I’m going to have people there to prepare me,” Dr. Oeltjen said. “Everyone here wants to see you succeed.”