Student Nurse (RN) Extern Program (Paulding Medical) - Dec 2027 GRADS

About the role

Wellstar’s Student Nurse Extern Program offers current nursing students the chance to gain bedside experience while completing an RN degree. The program is designed to help students evolve toward professional nursing practice through the acquisition of basic clinical skills and advancing their knowledge related to patient care.

Responsibilities

• Provide basic patient care under the direction of a registered professional nurse, including age-appropriate and culturally competent care such as ambulation, vital signs, transporting supplies/equipment/patient medications.
• Perform approved advanced technical procedures consistent with experience and training, including phlebotomy, incentive spirometry teaching, oral suctioning, insertion and removal of per wick, and removal of Foley catheter, as permitted by facility education and training.
• Work in a fast-paced environment requiring multi-tasking, ongoing communication with the registered nurse, and the ability to perform under stressful conditions with compassion, respect, and helpfulness.
• Take direction from a variety of care providers and maintain organization with excellent communication skills.
• Promote a positive patient experience by partnering with patients, families, and healthcare providers to deliver excellence in customer service and assist with basic daily living activities and comfort measures.
• Provide patient care needs such as hygiene, nutrition, elimination, and physical comfort measures as assigned.
• Protect patient rights, confidentiality, concerns, and dignity; maintain a safe environment for patient care.
• Participate in hourly patient rounding, answer telephone and call lights promptly, and notify appropriate individuals of follow-up needs.
• Proactively assist with comfort measures for patients and families; present in a positive and professional manner.
• Assist the RN and healthcare team with care delivery as assigned; follow appropriate hand hygiene and infection control policies.
• Maintain clean and clutter-free patient rooms and unit areas; reinforce the importance of universal precautions with patients and families.
• Use proper body mechanics and lift equipment; support unit performance improvement initiatives.
• Transport unit supplies, patient care supplies, medications, and equipment as assigned; practice accountability.
• Use effective written and oral communication with patients, staff, physicians, family, and visitors; communicate completion of assignments and patient care concerns to the RN.
• Complete a minimum of three professional development activities per year, including local monthly meeting attendance, professional enrichment sessions, and professional practice advancement activities.

Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent from an accredited program.
• Current enrollment in a nationally accredited Associate, Baccalaureate, or Master’s-level pre-licensure nursing program.
• Completion of at least one clinical rotation in an acute care setting prior to starting the role.
• Basic Life Support (BLS) certification from the American Heart Association.
• Ability to read, write, and speak English.
• Strong customer service and interpersonal skills; ability to collaborate with healthcare providers.
• Ability to multi-task and function in stressful and emergency situations with strong detail orientation.
• Basic computer skills and ability to enter information into an electronic medical record; familiarity with basic medical terminology.
• Personal time management skills.