INTERNSHIP DETAILS

Extern - Med Surg

CompanySSM Health
LocationLake Saint Louis
Work ModeOn Site
PostedApril 6, 2026
Internship Information
Core Responsibilities
The student nurse extern assists with direct patient care tasks, including vital signs, hygiene, and clinical procedures under the supervision of a registered nurse. They also contribute to patient safety and satisfaction by monitoring conditions, documenting care, and maintaining a supportive environment.
Internship Type
part time
Company Size
19743
Visa Sponsorship
No
Language
English
Working Hours
24 hours
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About The Company
SSM Health is a Catholic, not-for-profit, fully integrated health system dedicated to advancing innovative, sustainable, and compassionate care for patients and communities throughout the Midwest and beyond. The organization’s 40,000 team members and 13,900 providers are committed to fulfilling SSM Health’s Mission: “Through our exceptional health care services, we reveal the healing presence of God.” With care delivery sites in Illinois, Missouri, Oklahoma and Wisconsin, SSM Health includes hospitals, physician offices, outpatient and virtual care services, comprehensive home care and hospice services, a fully transparent pharmacy benefit company, a health insurance company and an accountable care organization. It is one of the largest employers in every community it serves. For more information, visit ssmhealth.com Visit jobs.ssmhealth.com to fulfill your calling with SSM Health. Together – We Care.
About the Role

It's more than a career, it's a calling

MO-SSM Health St. Joseph Hospital - Lake Saint Louis

Worker Type:

PRN

Job Highlights:

All candidates must be currently enrolled in an accredited school of nursing and have completed their fundamentals of nursing class and first clinical rotation.  Graduation date must be within 18 months to qualify.

 

Scheduling:  Student nurse externs commit to a minimum of 24 hours over four weeks.  Flexible scheduling is available to help work around your school schedule.

 

Program Length:  The Student Nurse Externship ends upon graduation from nursing school with the

goal of transitioning to a graduate nurse position and joining the Graduate Nurse Residency program.

 

Our Student Nurse Externship provides real-world, hands-on clinical training across various units, all under the guidance of a dedicated preceptor.

 

Opportunities include:

• 1:1 clinical training with experienced nurses

• Apply classroom knowledge to a clinical setting

• Expand your knowledge of hospital practice

• Explore various specialties

• Build a professional network

Job Summary:

Under supervision and in collaboration with other health care professionals, assists in performing a variety of nursing care services for patients. This is a transitional role for nursing students enrolled in an accredited school of nursing who have an interest in pursuing an RN position with SSM upon completion of their RN program.

Job Responsibilities and Requirements:

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Completes patient care tasks based on skills deemed competent in nursing school under direction of RN.
  • Contributes to overall quality and safe care for patients by answering  patients’ calls for help, taking their vital signs, and monitoring  their behavior and physical condition for progress or deterioration  as measured by patient satisfaction, quality audits, direct observation.
  • Creates a positive patient experience by assisting patients with their activities of daily living including assisting with baths, ambulating, feeding, skin care, personal and oral hygiene and making occupied and unoccupied beds as measured by patient satisfaction quality audits and direct observation.
  • Contributes to quality care and safety by assisting and performing procedures such as  performing dressing changes, enemas, ostomy care, toileting, turning, cough and deep breathing, catheter care, collection of biological specimens, measuring and recording intake and output of fluids.
  • Contributes to exceptional patient satisfaction by establishing a compassionate environment, timely responses to patients' needs, open communication and providing emotional and psychological support.
  • Contributes to safety and quality care by relaying information via charting and communicating to team members.
  • Contributes to achievement of exceptional health care by functioning as a member of the team as measured by active participation in department initiatives, unit meetings, committees and special projects.
  • Informs licensed nurse of any changes in patient condition/needs, of patient complaints, and of patient/significant other educational needs.
  • Prepares patients for discharge and accompanies them upon dismissal as indicated.
  • Stocks and maintains supplies and equipment in keeping with patient care needs and cost containment.  Utilizes time and supplies economically and conscientiously.
  • Orients new patients and significant others to the nursing unit.
  • Works in a constant state of alertness and safe manner.
  • Performs other duties as assigned.

EDUCATION

  • Current enrollment in an accredited school of nursing and completion of first clinical rotation

EXPERIENCE

  • No experience required

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

  • Constant standing and walking.
  • Frequent use of hearing and speech to share information through oral communication.
  • Frequent use of hearing to distinguish body sounds and/or hear alarms, malfunctioning machinery, etc.
  • Frequent lifting/carrying and pushing/pulling objects weighing 0-25 lbs.
  • Frequent reaching, gripping, and keyboard use/data entry.
  • Frequent use of vision for distances near (20 inches or less) and far (20 feet or more) and to identify and distinguish colors.
  • Occasional bending, stooping, crawling, kneeling, sitting, squatting and repetitive foot/leg and hand/arm movements.
  • Occasional use of vision to judge distances and spatial relationships.
  • Occasional lifting/carrying and pushing/pulling objects weighing 25-50 lbs.
  • Occasional lifting/moving patients.
  • Occasional use of smell to detect/recognize odors.
  • Occasional driving.

Work Shift:

Variable Shift (United States of America)

Job Type:

Employee

Department:

1000000023 Med Surg - 2S

Scheduled Weekly Hours:
0

Benefits:

SSM Health values our exceptional employees by offering a comprehensive benefits package to fit their needs.

  • Paid Parental Leave: we offer eligible team members one week of paid parental leave for newborns or newly adopted children (pro-rated based on FTE). 

  • Flexible Payment Options: our voluntary benefit offered through DailyPay offers eligible hourly team members instant access to their earned, unpaid base pay (fees may apply) before payday.

  • Upfront Tuition Coverage: we provide upfront tuition coverage through FlexPath Funded for eligible team members. 

Explore All Benefits

SSM Health is an equal opportunity employer. SSM Health does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, pregnancy, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. Click here to learn more.

Key Skills
Patient careVital signs monitoringClinical documentationDressing changesOstomy careCatheter carePatient ambulationSpecimen collectionInfection controlPatient educationTeam collaborationSafety monitoringEmotional supportMedical supply maintenance
Categories
HealthcareEducation
Benefits
Paid parental leaveFlexible payment optionsUpfront tuition coverage