Winter Nurse Extern Program 2026 - Good Samaritan Hospital

WellSpan Health’s Winter Nurse Extern Program offers at least 48 hours of paid clinical experiences during winter break. Participants are paired with an experienced RN preceptor and work varied shifts based on preceptor availability.

About the role

This program is open to senior nursing students graduating in Spring 2027 who have completed a medical-surgical clinical rotation in an accredited nursing program. Limited opportunities are available in Med/Surg/Tele, ICU, and the Short Stay Unit at Good Samaritan Hospital.

WellSpan Good Samaritan Hospital Nursing supports the mission and vision through a centralized department of nursing, striving to provide safe, evidence-based practice leading to exemplary outcomes. Nurses at WellSpan Health are lifelong learners who value professional development and uphold standards of honesty, responsibility, and patient dignity.

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.
• High School Diploma or GED.
• Completion of at least one medical-surgical clinical rotation.
• Must be passing in an accredited program prior to the Summer Externship Program.
• Must provide an unofficial transcript and a letter of recommendation from a nursing professor.

Qualifications

• Enrollment in an accredited BSN program (preferred).
• Basic Life Support certification (required upon hire).

About Us

WellSpan Health’s vision is to reimagine healthcare through the delivery of comprehensive, equitable health and wellness solutions. As an integrated delivery system, WellSpan encompasses 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. WellSpan’s high-performing Medicare Accountable Care Organization (ACO) is one of the best in the nation.

About The Team

WellSpan Good Samaritan Hospital has provided leading-edge inpatient, outpatient, and emergent care to the Lebanon County community for over 125 years. As part of the WellSpan system, it features an award-winning cardiac and vascular center, a certified Primary Stroke Center, and a wound care and hyperbaric medicine center. The hospital offers open heart procedures, comprehensive cardiac care, total joint replacements, private labor and delivery birthing suites, robotic surgery, and emergency care. With a 163-bed capacity, it admits approximately 7,000 patients annually and serves a population of nearly 142,000 residents.