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Left to right: Teofanes Natavio, Amber Rambaud, Joy Bliss, Jenifer Chee, Dean Edna Magpantay-Monroe.
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Carleton "CJ" Schiller.
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Amber Rambaud (left) and Joy Bliss (right).
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Lacey Sterling .
The Queen’s Medical Center proudly hosted the 2025 Student Nurse Internship (SNI) program, a paid internship designed for nursing students who have completed their junior year (or equivalent). From May to August 2025, interns gained 270 hours of precepted clinical experience, working one-on-one with experienced registered nurses.
This year’s program was conducted in partnership with the HPU faculty of nursing, under the guidance and supervision of HPU Assistant Professor of Nursing and Program Advisor, Coordinator, Faculty Liaison Joy A. Bliss, PhD, RN. Bliss worked closely with Queen’s Clinical Education and unit preceptors to ensure that the program not only strengthened student learning but also aligned with the highest academic and clinical standards.
Hands-On Learning in Action
During the summer, HPU student nurse interns honed their skills in IV care, wound management, assessments, patient handoffs, charting, and interdisciplinary teamwork. Each intern followed their preceptor’s schedule and progressed to caring for multiple patients as their confidence grew. Importantly, interns were held to Queen’s professional standards while supported by the guidance and encouragement of their mentors and unit teams.
Student Voices from May to August 2025
The true spirit of the program shines through in the reflections of the interns themselves:
Amber Mei Rambaud shared, “This internship taught me that being a nurse requires head, hands, and heart. I built my confidence in skills like IV care, patient handoffs, and interdisciplinary teamwork — but most importantly, I learned that compassion is the foundation of meaningful nursing care.”
Carleton “CJ” Schiller, HPU Student Nurses’ Association (SNA) President, reflected, “This program was a blessing for my nursing journey. With the guidance of my preceptor, I grew confident in core skills like assessments, charting, and patient handoffs. The supportive team on P4 inspired me to push myself, care deeply for patients, and embrace the true spirit of nursing.”
Lacey Sterling emphasized the clinical depth of the experience, noting, “My internship on the HPM 7 Acute Care floor was transformative. I gained hands-on experience in wound care, infection control, and managing complex conditions like hepatic encephalopathy. These opportunities strengthened my critical thinking and prepared me to step into professional nursing with greater confidence.”
Investing in the Future of Nursing
HPU Professor and Dean of the School of Nursing Edna Magpantay Monroe, Ed.D., APRN, CMDCP, shared that "The Queen’s SNI Program is more than just an internship — it is an investment in the future nursing workforce of Hawaiʻi. By fostering confidence, competence, and compassion in nursing students, the program builds a pipeline of professionals ready to serve with excellence.”
As one nurse leader remarked, “This program gives students more than experience — it gives them a place to belong. They leave not just as interns, but as future colleagues.”
Thanks to the partnership between Queen’s Health Systems and the HPU faculty of nursing, guided by Bliss, students leave this experience not only with new skills, but with a renewed sense of purpose and belonging in Hawaiʻi’s nursing community.
The HPU Faculty of Nursing is proud to celebrate the success of this year’s 2025 SNI cohort and their contributions to advancing nursing excellence in Hawai‘i. To learn more about the HPU School of Nursing go to: www.hpu.edu/nursing.
