Shadowing Opportunities

UNC Health Nash supports educational programs by allowing interested students to accompany selected Hospital employees (mentors) to observe their professional healthcare activities (“job-shadowing”). As a shadowing candidate, a student or visitor follows a mentor in their workplace to gain knowledge and awareness of the mentor’s career through observation.

Participants may ask questions about pursuing a healthcare profession, engage in periodic meetings with the department manager or designee for communication and collaboration, and develop a deeper understanding of the field (participants do not provide direct patient care, as their role is strictly observational.) Shadowing candidates must also uphold confidentiality and demonstrate genuine interest and motivation, whether seeking career insight or fulfilling a high school or college requirement.

High school students may spend a maximum of 8 hours job shadowing, and college students and shadow visitors may spend a maximum of 40 hours, or at the discretion of the observing unit.

To begin this process, please review the Confidentiality Agreement below and fill out the “Request to Observe/Shadow application.” Should you have any questions about the process, please contact our Organizational Learning team at nashorglearning@unchealth.unc.edu.

Shadowing Requirements

Please carefully read the following requirements before applying:

  • Students must have a sponsoring hospital employee or office.
  • Students must be 16 years of age or older.
  • Students must be enrolled in high school or an accredited institution seeking to fulfill credit requirement.
  • Students must sign a written agreement with UNC Health Nash defining the roles and responsibilities prior to accompanying a mentor in the hospital.
  • Students must agree and adhere to all Nash Hospitals, Inc. policies throughout their program participation.
  • Students must provide proof of certain immunization verifications.
  • Students must fill out and submit a Confidentiality Form.
  • High School students can shadow up to 8 hours maximum.
  • College students can shadow up to 40 hours maximum.

The Job-Shadowing program is not open to students who are involved in educational programs that require additional contracts with the hospital (for example: Health Occupations students.)

Confidentiality Agreement

You are required to review the Confidentiality Agreement prior to submitting your request to observe/shadow. Please click the link above to review.

Request to Observe/Shadow

This form is not intended for the potential employment process or pre-med shadowing.

For information about current job openings, or shadowing opportunities for medical students, please contact Human Resources at 252-962-8015.

Educators—share with your students!

Are you an educator looking to help your students explore career pathways? Download the flyer below and share our shadowing opportunities with them!

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