Training Opportunities at Children's Minnesota

Children’s Minnesota is committed to training the next generation of pediatric healthcare professionals. We provide hands-on learning experiences in a collaborative, patient-centered environment, offering a range of training opportunities for medical students, residents, and clinical fellows.

Below, you will find information about our clinical rotations, observer/shadowing experiences, and research opportunities at Children’s Minnesota.

Clinical Rotations for Non-Affiliated Training Programs

Medical Students

Visiting medical students are encouraged to explore and apply for rotations through the Visiting Student Learning Opportunities (VSLO) system, in partnership with the University of Minnesota Medical School. VSLO provides access to a variety of pediatric training experiences that align with students’ academic and career goals.

For medical students enrolled in U.S. not-for-profit medical schools who have a strong interest in Children’s Minnesota and a future career in Pediatrics, a limited number of for-credit rotation opportunities are available directly through our institution. These rotations provide an immersive experience in pediatric care within a dedicated children’s hospital setting. To submit an application for a rotation at Children’s Minnesota, click here.

Applications are accepted and reviewed quarterly during the timeframes listed below. Submissions received after the current window closes will be reviewed in the following quarter. To ensure adequate processing time, please submit applications at least two review periods before the intended rotation start date.

  •  Q1: January 1 – March 15 (submissions open)

  •  Q2: April 1 – June 15 (submissions open)

  •  Q3: July 1 – September 15 (submissions open)

  •  Q4: October 1 – December 15 (submissions open)

To maintain the quality of training experiences, ensure equitable distribution of resources, and provide appropriate preceptor support, rotation requests must be submitted through the formal application process. Direct emails, phone calls, or informal discussions with preceptors will not be considered without a completed application.

Residents and Clinical Fellows 

Children’s Minnesota welcomes a limited number of visiting residents and fellows from ACGME-accredited programs within the United States.

  • Trainees must coordinate with their home institutions to complete and submit a Children’s Minnesota Rotation Request Application at least six months prior to their intended start date.
  • This advance submission ensures adequate time for processing, affiliation agreements, and rotational planning.

Applications are accepted and reviewed quarterly during the timeframes listed below. Submissions received after the current window closes will be reviewed in the following quarter. To ensure adequate processing time, please submit applications at least two review periods before the intended rotation start date.

  •  Q1: January 1 – March 15 (submissions open)

  •  Q2: April 1 – June 15 (submissions open)

  •  Q3: July 1 – September 15 (submissions open)

  •  Q4: October 1 – December 15 (submissions open)

To maintain the quality of training experiences, ensure equitable distribution of resources, and provide appropriate preceptor support, rotation requests must be submitted through the formal application process. Direct emails, phone calls, or informal discussions with preceptors will not be considered without a completed application.

Clinical rotations for affiliated training programs 

Children’s Minnesota partners with various academic institutions to provide structured pediatric training experiences. A comprehensive list of our educational partnerships is available here. If your program is not listed, please refer to the non-affiliated training section above for available options.

Medical Students

University of Minnesota medical students can find available pediatric experiences in the University of Minnesota Medical School course directory.

  • If a new rotation needs to be established, a Children’s Minnesota Rotation Request Application must be submitted at least 3 months ahead of the intended start date.
  • Approval from the Children’s Minnesota Graduate Medical Education Office is required before onboarding or scheduling can begin.

Residents and Clinical Fellows 

Children’s Minnesota has Master Affiliation Agreements with the following institutions and provides hands-on pediatric clinical training for residents and fellows from programs with Program Letters of Agreement (PLAs) on file:

  • Allina Health
  • HealthPartners Institute
  • Hennepin Healthcare
  • University of Minnesota Medical School & School of Dentistry
  • Mayo Clinic

Programs seeking placements should contact our team to verify if their desired experience is covered under a current PLA. If a PLA is not on file, programs must submit a Children’s Minnesota Rotation Request Application before approval can be granted.

For questions regarding affiliated training programs, please contact our Medical Education team.

Observer/Shadowing (hands-off, not for credit): 

The Medical Education Observership Program at Children’s Minnesota provides a short-term learning opportunity for individuals engaged in graduate-level medical education, including medical students, residents, and fellows. This program is designed for those interested in pediatric care and offers hands-off, observational experiences.

Limited Availability & Guidelines

  • A limited number of observership slots are available, and placement is not guaranteed.
  • Applications must be submitted at least 6 weeks ahead of the start date for observing. Applications submitted less than 6 weeks in advance will not be accepted.
  • Observerships are restricted to a maximum of 2 weeks, with a preference for 1 week or less.
  • A Children’s Minnesota professional staff member must supervise the observer at all times—no exceptions.
  • Foreign medical graduates and offshore students are eligible for observation only—no hands-on clinical experience is allowed.

Failure to follow these guidelines may result in the immediate termination of the observership. The Medical Education staff reserves the right to deny, suspend, or revoke observer privileges at any time.

Application Process

  1. Identify a preceptor who agrees to supervise the observership.
  2. Create a student account with Clinician Nexus.
  3. Use the “Find Clinical Experiences” tool to locate and apply for Children’s Minnesota observership opportunities.

Due to high demand and limited availability, early application is strongly encouraged. 

Research opportunities (for credit or not for credit): 

In collaboration with the Children’s Minnesota Research Institute, the Education Department offers a research pathway for students, residents, and fellows who wish to engage in IRB-approved research projects or case studies at Children’s Minnesota.

  • This initiative does not connect candidates with principal investigators (PIs). Instead, it streamlines the onboarding process into a single application system.
  • Candidates must first identify a PI and discuss potential research collaboration before applying.

Application Process:

  1. Identify a principal investigator (PI).
  2. Create a student account with Clinician Nexus.
  3. Use the “Find Clinical Experiences” tool to locate research or case study opportunities at Children’s Minnesota and submit an application.
  4. All applications must be submitted at least 120 days before the anticipated start date.

For more details on the Children's Minnesota Medical Education Research Pathway, click here.