Choosing a career in healthcare is more than choosing a profession. It is choosing to be present for people during some of life’s most meaningful, vulnerable, and challenging moments.
At Transitions LifeCare, students and interns have the opportunity to gain real-world experience in hospice, palliative care, and supportive services while learning from an interdisciplinary team dedicated to compassionate, patient-centered care.
Whether you are exploring a future in clinical care, social work, administration, or another healthcare-related field, student and internship experiences can offer valuable insight into what it means to support patients and families facing serious illness.
Hands-On Learning for Future Healthcare Leaders
Transitions LifeCare is committed to helping future healthcare leaders better understand the realities of serious illness, end-of-life care, and family support. Through shadowing and internship opportunities, students can observe how compassionate care is provided across clinical and administrative settings.
These experiences are designed to help students:
- Learn how hospice and palliative care teams support patients and families
- Gain exposure to interdisciplinary healthcare collaboration
- Better understand the emotional, practical, and clinical needs of patients facing serious illness
- Explore career paths in compassionate, mission-driven care
- See how patient-centered care is delivered in a real-world setting
For many students, this type of experience can help demystify common misconceptions about hospice, palliative care, death, and dying. It also offers a closer look at the meaningful work involved in supporting patients and loved ones through difficult transitions.
Shadowing Opportunities
Students interested in learning more about the daily work of Transitions LifeCare may apply for a visitor or shadowing experience.
Shadowing opportunities typically last one to five days and may be available in clinical or non-clinical/administrative settings. These experiences allow students to observe staff and gain insight into the work being done throughout the organization.
During a shadowing experience, students do not provide direct patient contact or care. Instead, they are given the opportunity to observe, listen, and learn from experienced professionals in the field.
Internship Experiences
Internship opportunities at Transitions LifeCare are unique to each student’s program, interests, and goals. These experiences may be clinical or administrative, depending on the student’s area of study and the organization’s ability to support the placement.
Clinical interns may visit patients and, depending on the internship requirements and approved placement, may or may not provide hands-on patient care. Administrative interns may assist with office, operational, or project-based work and do not visit patients or provide care.
Internships are limited and competitive. Placement depends on several factors, including the student’s goals, school or program requirements, and staff availability.
Who Can Apply?
Students from a variety of healthcare and related academic programs may be considered for opportunities at Transitions LifeCare.
Pre-approved schools and programs include:
- Campbell University School of Medicine
- Clemson University – Health Science
- Duke Graduate School of Nursing
- East Carolina University health sciences programs
- Nash Community College Physical Therapy Assistant program
- NC State University School of Social Work
- Queens University in Charlotte Nursing
- UNC School of Nursing
- UNC School of Medicine
- UNC School of Social Work
- UNC-Charlotte College of Health and Human Services
- UNC-G School of Nursing
- Wake Tech Nursing School
- Western Carolina College of Health and Human Services
- Western Governors College of Health Sciences
- Winston-Salem State School of Nursing
Students from schools that are not currently pre-approved may still apply. These applications are considered on a case-by-case basis, and a valid contract must be approved between the school and Transitions LifeCare before a student can be accepted.
A Mission-Driven Place to Learn and Grow
Student and internship opportunities are part of a larger culture of learning, service, and professional growth at Transitions LifeCare.
As a nonprofit organization providing hospice and palliative care, Transitions LifeCare offers meaningful work for people who want to support others during serious illness, grief, and end-of-life care. The organization frequently looks for nurses, social workers, certified nursing assistants, medical staff, administrative professionals, and support team members who want to be part of compassionate, purpose-driven care.
Transitions LifeCare is also partnered with the UNC School of Medicine to host a one-year ACGME-accredited Hospice and Palliative Medicine Fellowship, further reflecting its commitment to education and professional development in the field.
Why Student Experiences Matter
For students considering a future in healthcare, hospice and palliative care can offer a deeply human perspective on what it means to care for the whole person.
These experiences can help students understand that compassionate care includes more than medical treatment. It also involves listening, communicating, supporting caregivers, honoring patient goals, and helping families navigate difficult decisions.
Students and interns may walk away with a stronger understanding of:
- The role of dignity in patient care
- The importance of family and caregiver support
- How interdisciplinary teams work together
- The emotional realities of serious illness
- The value of communication, compassion, and presence
- Career paths in hospice, palliative care, social work, nursing, administration, and related fields
How to Apply
Students interested in a shadowing experience or internship should complete the student application. Visitors are also required to complete a HIPAA/Confidentiality Form, which is provided upon arrival on campus.
After an internship application is reviewed, a representative from the Education Department will contact the student regarding next steps.
Start Your Journey in Compassionate Care
A student or internship experience at Transitions LifeCare can be a meaningful first step toward a career rooted in service, compassion, and purpose.
For students who want to learn from experienced professionals, gain exposure to hospice and palliative care, and better understand how supportive care impacts patients and families, Transitions LifeCare offers an opportunity to learn in a setting where every role contributes to comfort, dignity, and quality of life.
