Glenwood is once again welcoming nursing students from Jefferson State Community College this fall, providing future healthcare professionals with an opportunity to learn about caring for individuals with autism and behavioral health needs in a real-world clinical setting.
The Fall 2026 clinical rotation includes multiple groups of Jefferson State nursing students who will spend time at Glenwood throughout the semester. Their experiences provide exposure to healthcare services and approaches that students may not encounter in traditional clinical settings.
For students visiting Glenwood, time at the Sullivan Center has been a particular highlight. During their clinical experience with Dr. Thomas, students learn about the importance of an interdisciplinary approach to care and gain insight into areas including medication administration, sleeping habits and other factors that can influence the health and well-being of the individuals we serve.
Three students who visited Glenwood recently shared how much they appreciated the opportunity to see these concepts applied in practice.
Their clinical experience also included a tour of Allan Cott School, where they had the opportunity to see what a typical day looks like for students receiving educational and therapeutic services at Glenwood. The visit offered another perspective on the connection between healthcare, education and behavioral support.
The opportunity to work with individuals with autism and intellectual and developmental disabilities is an important part of preparing future nurses for their careers. Students may encounter patients with these needs in virtually any healthcare setting, making familiarity with neurodiversity and individualized approaches to care an important part of their education.
“Providing students with the opportunity to learn from the individuals we serve helps them develop a greater understanding of neurodiversity and the unique considerations involved in providing care,” said Valorie Wilson, Glenwood’s Director of Health Services. “It also gives them an opportunity to see how collaboration among healthcare professionals, educators and other members of a care team can support the whole person.”
The partnership between Glenwood and Jefferson State began with students expressing strong interest in returning for additional clinical experiences. Following positive feedback from previous students, Jefferson State requested another clinical rotation at Glenwood for the Fall 2026 semester.
For Glenwood, welcoming nursing students is about more than providing a place to complete clinical hours. It is an opportunity to share knowledge and experiences that can help shape the next generation of healthcare professionals.
For Jefferson State students, it is a chance to expand their clinical perspective, ask questions and gain firsthand experience caring for people with diverse needs.
Together, Glenwood and Jefferson State are helping connect classroom learning with real-world experience while preparing future nurses to provide informed, compassionate care throughout their careers.