Nursing Internships: Requirements and Opportunities for Aspiring Nurses
For aspiring nurses, practical experience can be as valuable as formal academic training. Many aspiring nurses focus on obtaining the needed credentials by doing well in classes and on exams. However, practical experience is just as important as academics, giving you a taste of what it’s like to work as a nurse and helping you develop professional empathy when dealing directly with patients.
The Value of Practical Experience
Whether you’re already in nursing school or just beginning the application process, there is much to gain from integrating practical experience with your academic studies. There are also many ways - from volunteering to internships to job shadowing - to gain that hands-on experience in nursing or the healthcare field more broadly.
Practical experience during your nursing education can benefit you in many ways. It's great for networking and building your resume, and it can also help you learn about nursing in ways that can’t be duplicated in a classroom.
Types of Practical Experience
Volunteering: Hospitals and other medical centers often need volunteers for a wide variety of responsibilities. Clinical volunteers often do administrative work while learning how a medical office operates and might also provide as-needed support for medical staff. Some hospitals even give specialized responsibilities to volunteers who are in nursing school.
Internships: Internships are more focused and specialized than volunteering, offering higher-level responsibilities geared toward those studying nursing. Many hospitals offer internships, but so do clinics, nonprofits, research labs, and universities. Some internships even pay a salary, stipend, or expenses.
Shadowing: For nursing students and those planning to apply to nursing school, shadowing shows the day in the life of a nurse. Shadowing involves following a professional in your field of interest through their typical day of work. This allows you to ask questions about situations and tasks as they are happening.
Benefits of Gaining Practical Experience
Getting practical experience as a prospective nurse holds many benefits both for your academic journey and your career prospects, including:
- Creating connections and meeting potential mentors: During a nursing internship, shadowing, or volunteering, you work side-by-side with experienced nurses, medical administrators, and even other nursing students. This is a great opportunity to learn more about the profession and to make connections you can rely on for advice and support throughout your nursing career.
- Gaining invaluable hands-on experience that builds your resume: Practical experience makes your resume stand out to potential employers. It gives them confidence that you can handle the responsibilities of nursing and gives you a much better idea of what to expect at your first job.
- Solidifying your decision to enter nursing school or choose a specialty: Committing to a nursing career or a specialty within nursing isn’t a decision to take lightly. Practical experience can help you decide if nursing is the right choice for you and help you determine if a specialty area like pediatric or psychiatric nursing is the best path.
- Learning soft skills that can’t be taught in a classroom: Some of the most important skills a nurse has aren’t ones they learned in a classroom. Effectively communicating with patients while showing empathy and remaining professional is essential. Solid communication with coworkers is also important, as are soft skills like being organized, time management, and problem-solving, which are crucial for a nurse. Soft skills like these and others are best learned in a practical setting.
Understanding Nursing Internships
Nursing internships offer unlicensed nursing students and recent nurse graduates clinical experience shadowing licensed nurses. Nursing internships are often 10- to 12-week summer sessions; some are longer, even up to a year. Most nursing internships require applicants to meet certain criteria, such as enrollment in an accredited nursing program and completion of specific courses. Course requirements will vary according to the nature of the internship. Settings for nursing internships can vary, but most nursing interns work in inpatient facilities, such as hospitals and long-term care facilities. Nursing interns can expect establishments to assign them a nurse mentor, also referred to as a nurse preceptor. The nurse mentor is an experienced registered nurse. Interns perform their work within arm’s reach of their mentors, who can answer questions and offer guidance and feedback. Typically, an intern’s work schedule will mirror the mentor’s.
What to Expect from a Nursing Internship or Volunteering
Expectations differ depending on whether you’re taking on an internship or fellowship or are volunteering. Read the requirements and expectations of any commitment carefully before you apply or accept a position since these opportunities can vary significantly. Even though there are differences, there are some shared expectations among them.
Requirements to Earn a Nursing Internship
Requirements vary among different nursing internships. Depending on whether it is a student internship or an internship for recent graduates, you may or may not need a nursing license. For student internships, you’ll need to be enrolled in an accredited nursing program. Some internships require a BSN or MSN, though some programs accept applications from any nursing student, including those with ASNs.
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Typical Work Environments for Nurse Interns
Nurse interns typically work in clinical settings, usually in hospitals. The larger the hospital, the more likely they’ll offer one or more nurse internship programs. Specialty hospitals are likely to offer specialized nursing internships. For example, a children’s hospital might offer internships in pediatric nursing, which may be ideal for those interested in pediatric medicine as their specialty.
Common Duties and Responsibilities
The duties and responsibilities of a nurse intern vary depending on the hospital or medical center. A nurse intern performs clinical procedures and gives general care to patients while under the supervision of a registered nurse (RN) or another senior member of the nursing staff. Their duties might include checking vitals, giving medicine, and ensuring patient comfort. Nursing interns observe registered nurses performing their day-to-day duties, getting direct exposure to the hours and shifts that nurses work, their interactions with peers and patients, and their responsibilities. In addition to observing their mentors, interns carry out many duties themselves, often assuming a role similar to that of a nursing assistant. This involves helping patients with daily living activities, such as eating and hygiene. Depending on the setting and nature of the intern position, nursing intern duties can vary.
Compensation for Nursing Interns
Nursing internships are usually paid, though not as much as a licensed nurse, and the pay will be hourly rather than salary. The median hourly rate makes $23.76 per hour, but the rate varies depending on location, with some employers paying nurse interns double this rate and others paying as little as half. While most nursing interns receive pay for their work, some positions don’t pay.
Duration of Nursing Internships
There are a variety of different lengths of nursing internships. For full-time student nurse interns, programs often last two to three months or the length of a summer. However, there are also part-time internships and volunteer opportunities that can last an academic term or semester. Some full-time internships last a year or more and are tailored for recent nursing graduates and require applicants to have a nursing license to practice nursing.
Differences Between Internships, Practicums, Clinicals, and Externships
Internships and externships can be similar in terms of responsibilities. However, interns generally have more responsibilities and less supervision than externs, and internship programs usually last longer than externships. Internships are more likely to be paid, while some externships, and almost all volunteer opportunities, are unpaid. Clinical and other practical experience are generally offered as part of a given nursing school program, but students must apply for internships, externships, and volunteer positions on their own. Practicums, also referred to as clinicals, make up a key component of nursing program curricula. To graduate, nursing students must complete practicums, which involve clinical hours under the supervision of a registered nurse and nursing program faculty member. Though some nursing programs require students to complete nursing internships, these positions don’t involve faculty supervision. Most, in fact, are independent of nursing programs altogether.
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Specialized Nursing Internships
There can be highly specialized types of nursing internships, but many are very general. For instance, some nursing internships at large research hospitals show interns a variety of different types of specialist nursing and have interns rotating in and out of different departments throughout the internship. Internships in more specialized settings, like pediatric or elder-care facilities, may be best for those considering specializing in those areas.
How Internships Benefit Nursing Students
Internships give nursing students a chance to gain valuable learning experiences that help them bridge the gap between theory and practice. Dozens of different types of nurses exist, and not all nursing students know exactly what specialty area they want to pursue. Without real-world experience, it’s difficult to know if they’ll find it more rewarding to work as a hospice nurse than as a surgical nurse. Nursing internships allow nursing students to better understand what different roles entail and to better understand what different roles entail. These training positions help nursing students learn more about a specialty area firsthand. Nursing interns may get to experience what nursing looks like in a stroke unit or in a nursing home, discovering the unique methods that nurses use to treat patients in different environments. Nurse mentors give interns a chance to develop their clinical skills in a safe environment, regularly providing professional tips that empower nursing interns to work with confidence and expand their practical knowledge. During emergencies, nursing interns get to see how the experts respond and who they call. Working beside an experienced nurse day after day gives interns insights not easily learned in an academic setting. Nursing internships provide hands-on learning experiences with patients from all walks of life and help nursing interns understand the interpersonal relationships that shape nursing work. Additionally, internships give nursing students a chance to test their knowledge. When nurse mentors set up IV lines or collect blood samples, nursing interns can watch and mentally check the steps. Internships give nursing students a chance to network with seasoned professionals, who may help direct them to work opportunities in the future. Internships often introduce nurses to areas or aspects of nursing unfamiliar to them. This exposure can open up new interests that help direct a nurse’s career. Nursing internships can also help nurses figure out areas of nursing that don’t suit their personalities or natural talents best.
Finding Internship Opportunities
Searching for and landing a nursing internship takes thoughtful planning. Nursing internships can have widely different pay, specialty areas, settings, work hours, and time frames. Before starting an internship search, nurses should examine their circumstances to determine when and how many hours they can feasibly work given their other responsibilities. They should also consider whether they can accept an unpaid position. Nursing internship applications often have deadlines. Starting a nursing internship search early not only helps nurses meet deadlines and avoid missed opportunities but also gives nurses a chance to prepare strong applications. This is important because nursing internships, especially paid ones, are competitive.
Resources for Locating Nursing Internships
School Career Centers: These resources often maintain lists of available nursing internships. Nurses can also turn to their school’s career center for help with resumes and interview preparation. In one-on-one sessions with career counselors, nurses can get expert critiques on their applications.
Job Fairs: These events bring together many organizations with job openings, giving nurses a chance to meet many potential employers at one time. In addition, job fairs give nurses a chance to present themselves in person and make a positive impression.
Nursing School Alumni Networks: Alumni may also have recommendations about how to land specific internships.
Healthcare Organizations: During their internship search, nurses may consider reaching out to healthcare organizations that interest them about internship opportunities. Sometimes, organizations without active internship programs are open to taking on interns.
Professional Nursing Associations: Many professional nursing associations have career centers with online job boards where nurses can find internship opportunities.
Specific Internship Programs and Opportunities
Several organizations and healthcare systems offer structured nursing internship programs. Here are some examples:
Mayo Clinic: Mayo Clinic offers various student nurse internship programs at its campuses in Rochester, Minnesota; Phoenix/Scottsdale, Arizona; Eau Claire and La Crosse, Wisconsin; and southeast Minnesota. These programs provide valuable clinical skills and experience, with opportunities to work alongside registered nurses and interdisciplinary healthcare teams. Qualifications vary but often include completion of the junior year in an accredited bachelor’s in nursing program or completion of two semesters in an Associate’s in nursing program.
The Summer III Student Nurse Internship at Mayo Clinic's Rochester, MN campus is a skill-based paid 10-week full time program, providing opportunities to gain valuable clinical skills and experience. The Rochester, MN campus has over 60 specialties, two hospitals, 10 ICUs, and around 130 operating rooms. Qualifications include completion of junior year in an accredited bachelor’s in nursing program required. Must have completed junior year and graduating no later than following June of internship. Enrollment in MN summer internship credit required.
The Student Nurse Extern Summer Program at Mayo Clinic's campus in Phoenix/ Scottsdale offers nursing students a unique educational opportunity to gain valuable clinical experience in a high-acuity and diverse patient population. Nurse extern opportunities are available in all inpatient clinical areas. Completion of third semester (Block III) of an associate degree nursing program.
The Mayo Clinic Health System Student Nurse Internship Program in Eau Claire, WI is a skill based paid 11-week full time program for nursing students, providing opportunities to gain valuable clinical skills and experience. Interns rotate to different clinic and hospital departments including those in Eau Claire, Osseo, Menomonie and/or Barron. Must be qualified to graduate from an accredited baccalaureate nursing program (BSN) or associate nursing program (ADN) by following December or May of summer internship.
The Mayo Clinic Health System Student Nurse Internship in La Crosse, WI is a skill based paid 11-week full time program for nursing students, providing opportunities to gain valuable clinical skills and experience. Qualifications include completion of junior year in an accredited bachelor’s in nursing program required. Must have completed junior year and graduating no later than following June of internship. Enrollment in MN summer internship credit required.
The Mayo Clinic Health System Student Nurse Internship in southeast Minnesota is a skill-based paid 10-week full time program for nursing students, providing opportunities to gain valuable clinical skills and experience. Qualifications include the completion of two semesters in an Associate’s in nursing program or the junior year in a bachelor’s in nursing program. Must be graduating no later than the June following the internship. Enrollment in a MN summer internship credit is required.
Kaiser Permanente: Kaiser Permanente offers the National RN Residency Program, an innovative 12-month program designed to support newly licensed RNs as they transition to practice. The program includes a comprehensive evidence-based clinical orientation and a transition-to-practice curriculum. The Nursing Student Work-Study Summer Internship Program provides upper-pre-licensure baccalaureate nursing students with a paid and supervised internship at one of the Kaiser Permanente Northern California medical centers.
Sanford Health: Sanford Health offers a Student Nurse Internship Program (SSNIP), a hands-on, 10-week, full-time, paid internship that expands clinical skills and knowledge under the guidance of an experienced nurse preceptor. Following the 10-week program in the summer, interns have the opportunity to extend the internship into the school year.
Other Programs:
- Antelope Valley Medical Center (Lancaster, CA): Offers a program for nursing students where they work alongside providers, experiencing a variety of nursing duties.
- Huntington Health (Pasadena, CA): Offers internships for nursing students in their emergency services department.
- Pioneers Memorial Healthcare District (Brawley, CA): Offers an internship program in their acute care department, combining care duties with shadowing and instruction.
- Rush University Medical Center (Chicago, IL): Offers student internships in a variety of nursing specialties.
- Cook County Health (Cook County, IL): Offers a full-time externship program for current nursing students.
- University of Michigan (Ann Arbor, MI): Offers summer externship programs for BSN students.
- St. Jude’s Children’s Oncology Hospitals (Memphis, TN): Offers summer pediatric nursing externships.
- Orlando Health (Orlando, FL): Offers per diem internships for current nursing students.
- Mount Sinai Hospital System (New York City, NY): Offers paid student internships for current nursing students.
- New York Presbyterian Hospital (New York City, NY): Offers an externship program for current bachelor’s students (BSN) in nursing.
- Children’s National Hospital (Washington, DC): Offers the LAUNCH summer internship program for current nursing students.
Tips for Applying
- Start Early: Begin your search well in advance of application deadlines.
- Tailor Your Application: Customize your resume and cover letter to highlight the skills and experiences that align with the specific internship.
- Seek Recommendations: Obtain strong letters of recommendation from clinical instructors or professors.
- Prepare for Interviews: Practice answering common interview questions and be ready to discuss your career goals and motivations.
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