Nurse Extern | Pediatric ICU

About the Role

The Nurse Extern, under the direct supervision of a Registered Nurse (RN), demonstrates competency in foundational and progressively developing patient care skills. The role supports the RN in delivering safe, high-quality, age-appropriate care and assists with patient throughput by contributing to transport, admissions, discharges, and other workflow activities.

Responsibilities

• Supports patients with activities of daily living (ADLs), including bathing, grooming, toileting, dressing, and other personal care needs while maintaining dignity, comfort, and safety.
• Assists patients with mobility and hygiene—repositions, transfers, ambulates, and uses assistive devices following established procedures and RN direction.
• Obtains and documents routine clinical measurements, such as vital signs, height, weight, and intake/output, and reports abnormalities or changes to the RN.
• Supports patient nutrition and hydration by assisting with feeding, meal setup, and monitoring diet tolerance in alignment with prescribed orders and RN guidance.
• Maintains a clean and safe patient environment, ensuring rooms, equipment, and common areas meet infection prevention standards.
• Observes and communicates changes in patient condition, providing timely and factual reports to the RN to support clinical decision-making.
• Reinforces patient and family education, explains unit routines, and assists in preparing patients for tests or procedures as directed by the RN.
• Performs clerical and administrative support functions, including answering phones, entering information into the electronic medical record, and retrieving supplies.
• Manages patient-care supplies and equipment, ensuring availability and proper functioning of designated items.
• Performs competency-validated technical skills, such as 12-lead electrocardiograms, routine venipuncture, and specimen collection, under RN supervision and after documented competency validation.

Requirements

• High school diploma or General Educational Development (GED) required.
• Actively enrolled in a recognized accredited nursing program and in good academic standing with a minimum 2.5 GPA on a 4.0 scale.
• Completion of first semester that includes basic fundamentals of nursing course in an accredited School of Nursing.
• Successful completion of foundational nursing coursework, such as Foundations of Professional Nursing, Physical Assessment and Health, Fundamental Principles and Skills, and Pathophysiology/Pharmacology, or equivalent courses.
• Verification of coursework completion through official or unofficial transcripts, written confirmation from the School of Nursing, or other formal academic documentation.
• Proof of high school education and satisfactory reference form from a clinical instructor or preceptor.
• Completion of the 2026 Nurse Extern Program Letter (one-time submission, even for multiple applications).
• Submission of the 2026 Nurse Extern Reference Form (one-time submission, even for multiple applications).

Skills

• Demonstrated competency in basic fundamentals of nursing as acquired through accredited nursing coursework.
• Ability to perform approved clinical skills and procedures following RN-precepted training and documented competency validation.
• Ability to maintain academic performance standards required for continued good standing in the nursing program.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment.
• Familiarity with electronic medical record (EMR) systems (preferred).

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions

• Ability to stand, walk, bend, reach, squat, kneel, and move between positions for prolonged periods to meet clinical workflow demands.
• Sufficient strength and mobility to assist with patient transfers, repositioning, and movement of equipment or supplies while maintaining proper body mechanics.
• Adequate near and far visual acuity, hearing, fine motor coordination, and tactile sensitivity to safely observe patients, recognize alarms, and perform clinical support activities.
• Ability to respond promptly and appropriately to changes in patient condition and remain composed in high-stress or emergency situations.
• Extended use of personal protective equipment (PPE), including masks, gloves, and gowns.
• Work in a clinical environment with potential exposure to blood, bodily fluids, communicable diseases, noxious odors, high noise levels, and frequent interruptions.
• Flexibility in work hours, including weekends, holidays, or varied shifts, to support patient care operations.
• Successful completion of role-specific physical evaluations (e.g., POPE assessments) if applicable to the job class.

Preferred Qualifications

• Completion of additional nursing coursework beyond foundational requirements.
• Previous experience in healthcare, patient care, or customer service settings.
• Basic Life Support (BLS) certification through the American Heart Association.
• Demonstrated interest in developing clinical skills within a hospital or acute care setting.

Orientation begins December 14, 2026 (full-week attendance required). Applications accepted starting August 21, 2026.