2027 Nurse Extern Program Early Application

UofL Health is offering nursing students the opportunity to become immersed in the role of a professional nurse to support the transition from student to RN. Our externs have the opportunity to work in a variety of clinical specialties with the diverse patient population we serve. This externship will provide the chance to work side by side with a professional nurse, delivering hands-on patient care and developing clinical reasoning skills necessary for quality patient care delivery.

Program Details

Early Application:

• Application Dates: August 1, 2026 - October 31, 2026
• Notification of acceptance by December 1, 2026
• Start Date: December 14, 2026 (float pool PCA role at assigned facility)
• Intention to participate in the Summer Nurse Intensive Program
• PRN minimum requirement: 48 hours within a 6-week scheduling period

Summer Intensive Program:

• Application Dates: November 1, 2026 - March 1, 2027
• Notification of acceptance by April 1, 2027
• Program Duration: May 10, 2027 - July 16, 2027

Application Requirements

All required documents must be uploaded with your application:

• Resume
• Unofficial transcript
• Two letters of recommendation from nursing school faculty
• Reflective essay on your personal goals and how the three nursing areas chosen on your application relate to those goals

Eligibility Criteria

• Actively enrolled in a nationally accredited nursing program
• Successful completion of nursing fundamentals/foundations by program start date
• Minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA
• Anticipated graduation date between August 2027 - July 2028
• Must not have a post-graduation RN commitment at another organization
• BLS for Healthcare Provider certification

Placement Opportunities

The UofL Health Nurse Extern Program offers placements across a variety of clinical and acuity settings throughout our nine-hospital system:

• Brown Cancer Center
• Frazier Rehabilitation
• Heart Hospital
• Jewish Hospital
• Mary & Elizabeth Hospital
• Peace Hospital
• Shelbyville Hospital
• South Hospital
• UofL Hospital

Specialty areas include:

• Cardiac: Pacemakers, Aortic Devices, Telemetry, VADs, PCU (Advanced Cardiovascular Conditions such as MI, Heart Failure, Arrhythmias, Post Surgical Cardiac Procedures)
• Cardiac/Pulmonary: Telemetry, Oxygen Therapy, Respiratory Treatments, BiPAP/CPAP, ICU & PCU (Care for patients with complex conditions affecting heart and lung including heart failure, COPD, pneumonia, asthma, pulmonary hypertension, and respiratory failure)
• Center for Women & Infants: Labor & Delivery, Mother Baby, Neonatal ICU
• Neurology: Neuroscience, Post Brain & Spine Surgery, Seizures, Stroke, Traumatic Brain Injury, ICU & PCU
• Oncology: Inpatient Medical, Surgical, Bone Marrow Transplant (BMT), Outpatient Infusion
• Orthopedics: Complex Ortho & Hand, Fracture Repairs, Joint Replacements, Post-Surgical Trauma, Sports Injuries
• Psychiatric: Adolescents, Adults, Emergency Psych (EPS), Inpatient Detox, Med Psych, Pediatrics
• Rehabilitation-Inpatient: Acute Neuro/Cardio/Pulmonary, Spinal Cord Injuries, Stroke, Traumatic Brain Injuries, Transplant, Pediatrics and Adult
• Surgery/Procedural: Pre-Op, PACU, Outpatient
• Transplant: Heart, Kidney, Liver, Lung, Pancreas, ICU & PCU
• Trauma: ED, Burn, ICU, PCU

Responsibilities

Early Application Nurse Extern Essential Functions

• Function as a Patient Care Assistant (PCA) in the float pool at assigned UofL Health facility
• Float among different ICU & PCU units from December 14, 2026, through May 10, 2027

Summer Intensive Nurse Extern Essential Functions

• Gain experience in a realistic professional nursing work environment by assisting in the delivery of both direct and indirect nursing care under the direction and supervision of a registered nurse
• Work 24 hours/week, directly precepted by an RN, caring for patients on unit of placement (24 hours of summer vacation allowed)

Skills and Procedures

• Performs clinical procedures competently, following appropriate policies and procedures, as delegated by a Licensed Practical or Registered Nurse
• Performs duties of a Patient Care Assistant and maintains PCA competencies
• Obtains blood and blood products from the blood bank; may assist in verifying blood prior to administration
• Assists with all aspects of Registered Nursing patient care under direct supervision
• Demonstrates knowledge related to age-appropriate behavior to assess growth and development of the patient
• Provides for routine and procedural hygiene needs
• Assists in meeting patient's activity needs
• Obtains laboratory specimens as directed
• Assists/performs post-mortem care
• Provides emotional support to patients and families

Communication

• Communicates effectively with all members of the health care team
• Maintains complete patient confidentiality
• Reports changes in patient's condition or other pertinent data to the RN immediately

Quality and Safety

• Attends shift huddles and in-services, as appropriate
• Demonstrates safe and proper use of equipment
• Uses personal protective equipment and complies with all universal precautions and bloodborne pathogens regulations
• Identifies and immediately reports any actual or potential hazard observed in the hospital environment
• Demonstrates knowledge of all safety and emergency codes

Professional Development

• Dresses professionally and wears name badge at all times
• Performs AIDET before any patient and family interactions
• Actively participates in all Nurse Extern activities
• Maintains compliance with all company policies, procedures, and standards of conduct
• Performs other duties as assigned

Qualifications

• Planning and providing care for complex patients across the continuum of care
• Language Ability: Must be able to communicate effectively in both verbal and written formats
• Reasoning Ability: Able to critically think through complex patient situations, process improvements, and evidence-based practice
• Computer Skills: Including, but not limited to, clinical documentation, email, and basic computer proficiency

Additional Responsibilities

• Demonstrates a commitment to service, organization values, and professionalism through appropriate conduct and demeanor at all times
• Maintains confidentiality and protects sensitive data at all times
• Adheres to organizational and department-specific safety standards and guidelines
• Works collaboratively and supports efforts of team members
• Demonstrates exceptional customer service and interacts effectively with physicians, patients, residents, visitors, staff, and the broader health care community

Values

At UofL Health, we expect all our employees to live the values of honesty, integrity, and compassion and demonstrate these values in their interactions with others and as they deliver excellent patient care by:

• Honoring and caring for the dignity of all persons in mind, body, and spirit
• Ensuring the highest quality of care for those we serve
• Working together as a team to achieve our goals
• Improving continuously by listening, and asking for and responding to feedback
• Seeking new and better ways to meet the needs of those we serve
• Using our resources wisely
• Understanding how each of our roles contributes to the success of UofL Health