University Hospital - UMC
530 South Jackson Street
Louisville, KY 40202

Varied (United States of America)
UofL Health is offering nursing students the opportunity to become immersed in the role of a professional nurse to support the transition from student to RN. Our externs have the opportunity to work in a variety of clinical specialties with the diverse patient population we serve. This externship will provide the opportunity to work side by side with a professional nurse providing hands-on patient care and help externs develop clinical reasoning skills necessary for quality patient care delivery.
Early Application Dates: August 1, 2026 - October 31, 2026
Notification of acceptance by December 1, 2026.
Early Application is for those students wanting to start December 14, 2026, functioning as a float pool PCA at the facility you are offered, with intention to participate in the Summer Nurse Intensive Program. During the early application period, students will be required to fulfill PRN minimum requirements of 48 hours within a 6-week scheduling period.
Summer Intensive Program Application Dates: November 1, 2026 - March 1, 2027
Notification of acceptance by April 1, 2027.
ALL REQUIRED DOCUMENTS MUST BE UPLOADED WITHIN YOUR APPLICATION:
Resume
Unofficial transcript
Two letters of recommendation from nursing school faculty
Reflective essay on your personal goals and how the three (3) nursing areas, chosen on your application, relate to those goals
Eligibility Criteria:
Actively enrolled in a nationally accredited nursing program
Successful completion of nursing fundamentals/foundations by program start date
Minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA
Anticipated graduation date between August 2027 - July 2028
Must not have a post-graduation RN commitment at another organization
BLS for Healthcare Provider
The UofL Health N urse E xtern P rogram offers placements across a variety of clinical and acuity settings throughout our nine-hospital system. These include Brown Cancer Center, Frazier Rehabilitation, Heart Hospital, Jewish Hospital, Mary & Eliz abeth Hospital, Peace Hospital, Shelbyville Hospital, South Hospital and UofL Hospital.
Cardiac: Pacemakers, Aortic Devices, Telemetry, VADs, PCU (Advanced Cardiovascular Conditions such as MI, Heart Failure, Arrhythmias, Post Surgical Cardiac Procedures)
Cardiac/Pulmonary: Telemetry, Oxygen Therapy, Respiratory Treatments, BiPAP/CPAP, ICU & PCU (Care for patients with complex conditions affecting heart and lung including heart failure, COPD, pneumonia, asthma, pulmonary hypertension, and respiratory failure)
Center for Women & Infants: Labor & Delivery, Mother Baby, Neonatal ICU
Neurology: Neuroscience, Post Brain & Spine Surgery, Seizures, Stroke, Traumatic Brain Injury, ICU & PCU
Oncology: Inpatient Medical, Surgical, Bone Marrow Transplant (BMT), Outpatient Infusion
Orthopedics: Complex Ortho & Hand, Fracture Repairs, Joint Replacements, Post-Surgical Trauma, Sports Injuries
Psychiatric: Adolescents, Adults, Emergency Psych (EPS), Inpatient Detox, Med Psych, Pediatrics
Rehabilitation-Inpatient: Acute Neuro/Cardio/Pulmonary, Spinal Cord Injuries, Stroke, Traumatic Brain Injuries, Transplant, Pediatrics and Adult
Surgery/Procedural: Pre-Op, PACU, Outpatient
Transplant: Heart, Kidney, Liver, Lung, Pancreas, ICU & PCU
Trauma: ED, Burn, ICU, PCU
Early Application Nurse Extern Essential Functions:
Following placement at one of our UofL Health facilities, you will function as a Patient Care Assistant (PCA) in the float pool at your facility. This will allow you to float amongst the different ICU & PCU units beginning December 14, 2026, through May 10, 2027, when the summer intensive program begins.
Summer Intensive Nurse Extern Essential Functions:
The Summer Intensive Nurse Extern (beginning May 10, 2027 - July 16, 2027) will gain experience in a realistic professional nursing work environment by assisting in the delivery of both direct and indirect nursing care under the direction and supervision of a registered nurse within the scope of practice of unlicensed, assistive personnel. You will work 24 hours/week, directly precepted by a RN, caring for patients on your unit of placement (24 hours of summer vacation allowed).
Skills and Procedures
Performs clinical procedures in a competent manner, following appropriate policies and procedures, as delegated by a Licensed Practical or Registered Nurse. Performs the duties of a Patient Care Assistant and maintains PCA competencies.
1. Obtains blood and blood products from the blood bank. May assist in verifying blood prior to administration.
2. Assists with all aspects of Registered Nursing patient care under direct supervision.
3. Demonstrates knowledge related to age-appropriate behavior to assess the growth and development of the patient.
4. Provides for routine and procedural hygiene needs.
5. Assists in meeting patient's activity needs.
6. Obtains laboratory specimens as directed.
7. Assists/performs post-mortem care.
8. Provides emotional support to patients and families.
Communication
1. Communicates effectively with all members of the health care team.
2. Maintains complete patient confidentiality.
3. Reports changes in patient's condition or other pertinent data to the RN immediately.
Quality and Safety
1. Attends shift huddles and in services, as appropriate.
2. Demonstrates safe and proper use of equipment.
3. Uses personal protective equipment and complies with all universal precautions and bloodborne pathogens regulations.
4. Identifies and immediately reports any actual or potential hazard observed in the hospital environment.
5. Demonstrates knowledge of all safety and emergency codes
Professional Development
1. Dresses professionally and wears name badge at all times.
2. Performs AIDET before any patient and family interactions.
3. Actively participates in all Nurse Extern activities.
4. Maintain compliance with all company policies, procedures, and standards of conduct.
5. Performs other duties as assigned.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities critical to this role: Planning and providing care for complex patients across the continuum of care.
Language Ability: Must be able to communicate effectively in both verbal and written formats.
Reasoning Ability: Able to critically think through complex patient situations, process improvements, and evidence-based practice.
Computer Skills: Including, but not limited to, clinical documentation, email, and basic computer proficiency.
Additional Responsibilities:
- Demonstrates a commitment to service, organization values and professionalism through appropriate conduct and demeanor at all times.
- Maintains confidentiality and protects sensitive data at all times.
- Adheres to organizational and department specific safety standards and guidelines.
- Works collaboratively and supports efforts of team members.
- Demonstrates exceptional customer service and interacts effectively with physicians, patients, residents, visitors, staff, and the broader health care community.
At UofL Health, we expect all our employees to live the values of honesty, integrity and compassion and demonstrate these values in their interactions with others and as they deliver excellent patient care by:
- Honoring and caring for the dignity of all persons in mind, body, and spirit
- Ensuring the highest quality of care for those we serve
- Working together as a team to achieve our goals
- Improving continuously by listening, and asking for and responding to feedback
- Seeking new and better ways to meet the needs of those we serve
- Using our resources wisely
- Understanding how each of our roles contributes to the success of UofL Health
