Student Nurse Externships

Transitioning from the classroom to a career can be challenging. You can get a head start on your nursing career by taking advantage of this unique opportunity to explore the rewarding world of pediatric nursing.

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Want to know more about our externship? Register for a virtual info session:

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Program Features

Earn as you learn during your summer break while working in our caring environment under the guidance of a nurse preceptor. Our student nurse externs are placed on one of our many unique units that may include: general medical and surgical nursing, NICU, PICU, ED, rehab, or perioperative. Key program features include:

  • Competitive salary
  • Clinical practice plus classroom experiences
  • Optional observational opportunities on all CHKD units
  • A combination of 8- or 12-hour shifts, with day-night rotation and occasional weekend shifts
  • Open to students enrolled in an Associate, Diploma, or Bachelor of Science nursing program who have completed at least 2 semesters of clinicals and are in good standing at an accredited school of nursing
  • Program dates: mid May through late July (10 weeks)

Application Process

In November, the Student Nurse Extern job is posted on CHKD.org/Careers with an online application deadline of early January.

What are the steps to apply?

  1. Submit an online application via the Student Nurse Extern job posting by the deadline in January.
  2. Await an email from the program coordinator.
  3. Follow steps to submit the remaining application packet by the deadline in February .
  4. If you are selected to proceed, a virtual interview will be scheduled.

What should the remaining application packet include?

  • Resume
    • A formal resume listing work experience, student activities, and any honors received. You will have already uploaded this with your online application at the time of applying.
  • References
    • Two letters of recommendation from nursing school faculty, one of which will need to be from a clinical nursing instructor.
  • Official Transcript
    • Arrange for your school to prepare and send a copy of your official transcript. Transcripts can either be mailed or sent electronically and must be sealed and tamper free. This will serve to verify that you are a nursing student in good standing.
  • Nursing Course Summary
    • List and briefly describe the nursing courses you will have completed by May 2025.
  • Personal Essay
    • In 500 words or less, describe your personal goals and objectives. What would you like to gain from your participation in the student nurse extern program? Why should you be selected?
  • Unit Preferences
    • Review the unit descriptions list provided by the program coordinator and choose three departments that you prefer to be assigned to during the externship.
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Thank you for your interest in the CHKD Student Nurse Externship Program!