Nurse Extern (Summer 2027)

Build confidence, strengthen your clinical judgment, and experience professional nursing before graduation through the UVA Health Summer 2027 Nurse Extern Program. This immersive experience places nursing students alongside experienced nurse preceptors, offering meaningful participation in patient care and a realistic understanding of a nurse's daily responsibilities.

Over eight to 13 weeks, you will become part of an interdisciplinary care team, develop practical nursing skills, and make professional connections across UVA Health. With approximately 36 to 40 hours per week, two potential start dates, and opportunities in inpatient, ambulatory, and specialty settings, the program provides a strong foundation for your transition from nursing student to professional nurse.

Two anticipated start dates are available: May 24, 2027, and June 7, 2027.

The Role

As a Nurse Extern, you will be paired with an experienced nurse preceptor and follow that nurse's schedule throughout the program. This is an active, hands-on learning experience, not an observational assignment. You will participate in patient care activities within the approved extern scope while learning how nurses assess patients, organize care, communicate across disciplines, and respond to the changing needs of patients and families.

Your experience may include:

• Participating in patient assessment activities under the direction and supervision of your preceptor.

• Developing skills in clinical documentation, patient communication, and care-team collaboration.

• Assisting with approved patient care activities while learning the workflows and standards of a professional nursing environment.

• Building confidence communicating with patients, families, nurses, and other members of the interdisciplinary team.

• Learning how nurses prioritize responsibilities, coordinate care, and apply the nursing process throughout a shift.

• Participating in weekly educational and professional development programming supported by Nurse Professional Development Specialists.

• Exploring nursing practice in participating inpatient, ambulatory, or specialty care environments.

Nurse Externs generally work 36 to 40 hours per week and must follow the schedule of their assigned preceptor. Depending on the placement, schedules may include 12-hour day or night shifts, rotating shifts, weekends, and holidays. Ambulatory assignments may follow weekday daytime schedules. Nurse Externs are not permitted to administer medications.

The program is designed for BSN or ADN students who are in their final year of schooling. Candidates must hold current Basic Life Support certification and be prepared to complete at least eight weeks of the program.

Why UVA Health

At UVA Health, you will learn in an academic health system where patient care, education, collaboration, and discovery come together. The Nurse Extern Program is designed to help emerging nurses connect classroom learning with clinical practice while receiving individualized guidance from an experienced nurse preceptor.

This program offers more than summer experience. It provides an opportunity to develop the professional habits, clinical awareness, and relationships that can support your nursing career.

• Gain hands-on clinical experience before graduation in a professional patient care environment.

• Receive individualized coaching while building a sustained professional relationship with an experienced nurse.

• Develop practical skills in assessment, documentation, communication, workflow, and the nursing process.

• Experience continuity in nursing practice by working alongside the same preceptor throughout the program.

• Participate in structured educational sessions that complement your unit-based learning.

• Explore a variety of inpatient, ambulatory, and specialty nursing environments.

• Build relationships with UVA Health nurses, clinical leaders, and hiring managers.

• Gain a realistic understanding of how professional nurses manage patients, priorities, and interdisciplinary care.

• Establish a potential pathway to future employment with UVA Health.

Nurse Externs may also pursue Patient Care Technician opportunities following the summer program.

Candidates from throughout the United States are encouraged to apply. Relocation and housing assistance are not provided, and participants are responsible for arranging and funding their housing and relocation.

Why People Love Living in Charlottesville

Charlottesville offers a distinctive combination of natural beauty, cultural energy, and community connection. Located near the Blue Ridge Mountains and Shenandoah National Park, the area provides convenient access to hiking, cycling, scenic drives, and outdoor recreation. The community also features a vibrant restaurant scene, local arts and music, historic destinations, and the energy of a university town. For nursing students spending the summer at UVA Health, Charlottesville offers an engaging setting in which to learn, build relationships, and enjoy time away from the clinical environment.

Questions? Please email the primary recruiter, Ashlyn Trant at hyf5sf@virginia.edu

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

Education: Currently enrolled student nurses who have successfully completed the Medical/Surgical Clinical Experience and Didactic required. BSN students who have completed their 3rd year; ASN students who have completed their 1st year.

Experience: None.

Licensure: Basic Life Support.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Job requires frequently bending/stooping and driving (Home Health Aide only). Proficient communicative, auditory and visual skills; Attention to detail and ability to write legibly; Ability to lift/push/pull 20 - 50lbs and > 100lbs (Home Health Aide only). May be exposed to chemicals, blood/body fluids and infectious disease

UVA Health is a world-class Magnet Recognized academic medical center and health system with a level 1 trauma center. 2023-2024 U.S. News & World Report "Best Hospitals" guide rates UVA Health University Medical Center as "High Performing" in 5 adult specialties and 14 conditions/procedures. We are one of 70 National Cancer Institute designated cancer centers. UVA Health Children's is named by 2023-2024 U.S. News & World Report as the best children's hospital in Virginia with 9 specialties ranked among the best in the nation. Our footprint also encompasses 3 community hospitals and an integrated network of primary and specialty care clinics throughout Charlottesville, Culpeper, Northern Virginia, and beyond.

The University of Virginia is an equal opportunity employer. All interested persons are encouraged to apply, including veterans and individuals with disabilities. Learn more about UVA's commitment to non-discrimination and equal opportunity employment.