Winter Nurse Extern Program 2026 - Ephrata Hospital

WellSpan Ephrata Community Hospital is a non-profit health services organization providing preventative services, primary care, diagnostic services, acute care, and rehabilitation services to residents of northern Lancaster County and surrounding communities. The hospital is licensed for 122 acute care patients and eight acute rehabilitation patients.

About the role

Provides direct care to patients by performing a variety of duties, including assisting with data collection, provision of care, completion of selected therapeutic interventions, and documentation of care provided for a specified group of patients. This paid program offers at least 48 hours of clinical experience during winter break with a 1:1 experienced RN preceptor and varied shifts based on preceptor availability.

Responsibilities

• Provides information needed by the registered nurse to coordinate the care and discharge planning for the patient and family.
• Provides general nursing care and personal care assistance to patients, including bathing, dressing, eating, changing bed linens and bed pans, and positioning.
• Assists in the preparation and transportation of patients for tests, procedures, etc.
• Monitors patient condition levels; reports changes to the appropriate individuals.
• Obtains and documents patient vital signs, including temperature, blood pressure, weight, respiration, pulse, pain, and department-specific requirements.
• Performs selected procedures per Nurse Extern checklist.
• Sets up and removes equipment and supplies; ensures equipment is functioning properly and stored appropriately.
• Performs EKGs and Point-of-Care testing which may include blood glucose, hemoccult, and specific gravity testing.
• Runs special errands as required. Responds to light calls.
• Ensures patient rooms, nursing areas, supply carts, etc. are stocked with appropriate items at required levels.
• Maintains par levels of supplies and equipment on assigned unit(s). Notifies supervisor when reorder points are reached.

Common Expectations

• Demonstrates knowledge of the principles of growth and development over the life span of the assigned patient population. Assesses and interprets patient age-specific data and provides appropriate, age-specific treatment. Provides direct patient care to assigned patient age group(s).
• Maintains established policies and procedures, objectives, quality assessment, safety, environmental, and infection control standards.
• Participates in educational programs and in-service meetings.
• Provides outstanding service to all customers; fosters teamwork; and practices fiscal responsibility through improvement and innovation.

Requirements

• Currently enrolled in an approved Nursing program with completion of two clinical semesters.
• Must have completed a medical-surgical clinical rotation in an accredited nursing program.
• Must provide an unofficial transcript and a letter of recommendation from a nursing professor.
• Must be passing in an accredited program prior to the Summer Externship Program.
• Basic Life Support certification upon hire.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED (required).
• Enrollment in an accredited BSN program (preferred).
• Open to senior nursing students graduating Spring 2027.

Locations

Limited opportunities available on the following units:

• Med/Surg
• Progress Care
• IMCU

About Us

WellSpan Health’s vision is to reimagine healthcare through the delivery of comprehensive, equitable health and wellness solutions throughout our continuum of care. As an integrated delivery system focused on leading in value-based care, we encompass more than 2,300 employed providers, 250 locations, nine award-winning hospitals, home care, and a behavioral health organization serving central Pennsylvania and northern Maryland. Our high-performing Medicare Accountable Care Organization (ACO) is the region’s largest and one of the best in the nation.

About The Team

WellSpan Ephrata Community Hospital is one of eight premier hospitals in the WellSpan system, offering a full range of leading-edge inpatient, outpatient, and emergent care services. The hospital is noted for combining state-of-the-art medical technology with quality, compassionate care to meet the needs of over 550,000 residents of northern Lancaster County and the surrounding area. As a full-service, non-profit acute-care hospital with a 141 licensed bed capacity, WellSpan Ephrata Community Hospital admits approximately 5,500 patients annually. The nearby WellSpan Ephrata Cancer Center supports the hospital as part of WellSpan’s regional network of five cancer centers. WellSpan Ephrata Community Hospital was honored by U.S. News & World Report with the High Performing recognition for 2022-23.