The Independence Blue Cross Foundation welcomed 24 undergraduate nursing students representing 10 regional nursing schools, including Community College of Philadelphia and Bucks County Community College, to a 10-week internship. This year’s program will provide interns with invaluable experience, either in person at a health center in a local underserved community or through virtual learning roles in health care administration at Independence Blue Cross.
The internship placements are coupled with enriching competency-building experiences, including a series of Leadership Labs, volunteering, and a research project to help better prepare the next generation of nurses to care for our communities.
This year, the interns are also participating in a research and development activity with BALA Footwear, a startup launched in 2020 that makes premium footwear designed for nurses. The company connects elite footwear designers with nurses to co-create products in service of nurses. Interns are trialing BALA shoes and will share feedback used to inform future product lines.
The Foundation’s signature Nursing Internship Program (started by Independence in 2005) has a 17-year history of helping to prepare nearly 350 undergraduate nursing students to provide culturally competent care in diverse communities.
Follow us on Instagram, where our interns will share Instagram stories about their experiences.
