Student Nurse Externships
Transitioning from the classroom to a career can be challenging.
Get a head start on your nursing career by snagging a CHKD Student Nurse Externship, available each summer. This unique opportunity allows current nursing students the opportunity to explore the world of pediatric nursing in a supportive and rewarding environment.
The Externship Timeline
Each November, the Student Nurse Extern job is posted on CHKD.org/Careers with an online application deadline of early January. The externship runs for 10 weeks, from mid-May through the end of July.
Externship Details
Student nurse externs are placed on one of CHKD’s many unique inpatient units, like general medical and surgical nursing, NICU, PICU, ED, rehab, or perioperative. Key program features include:
- Competitive salary
- Clinical practice plus classroom experiences
- Optional observational opportunities on all CHKD units
- A combination of 8- or 12-hour shifts, with day-night rotation and occasional weekend shifts
- Open to students enrolled in an Associate, Diploma, or Bachelor of Science nursing program who have completed at least 2 semesters of clinicals and are in good standing at an accredited school of nursing
- Program dates: Mid-May through late July (10 weeks)
Application Process
- Submit an online application via the Student Nurse Extern job posting by the deadline in January.
- Await an email from the program coordinator.
- Follow steps to submit the remaining application packet by the deadline in February .
- If you are selected to proceed, a virtual interview will be scheduled.
Resume
A formal resume listing work experience, student activities, and any honors received. You will have already uploaded this with your online application at the time of applying.
References
Two letters of recommendation from nursing school faculty, one of which will need to be from a clinical nursing instructor.
Official Transcript
Arrange for your school to prepare and send a copy of your official transcript. Transcripts can either be mailed or sent electronically and must be sealed and tamper free. This will serve to verify that you are a nursing student in good standing.
Nursing Course Summary
List and briefly describe the nursing courses you will have completed by the time you start your first shift at CHKD.
Personal Essay
In 500 words or less, describe your personal goals and objectives. What would you like to gain from your participation in the student nurse extern program? Why should you be selected?
Unit Preferences
Review the unit descriptions list provided by the program coordinator and choose three departments that you prefer to be assigned to during the externship.
There’s no better way to “earn as you learn” during your summer break while working under the guidance of a CHKD nurse preceptor.
Want to know more about our externship? View a recording from a past information session.