The Externship Program is designed for nursing students desiring to obtain real-world acute-care clinical experience while enrolled in their nursing academic program. It is designed to identify and develop nursing students for potential future employment as Registered Nurses within Methodist Healthcare hospitals. Orientation training is offered via a combination of an orientation process and a clinical practicum. In clinical, the extern works under the supervision and direction of an Extern Unit Coach (an RN) in compliance with:
- Delegation rules and regulations from the Board of Nurse Examiners for the State of Texas
- Joint Commission of Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Service
- Methodist Healthcare scope of practice for unlicensed caregivers
Level I Clinical Focus (8 hours/pay period):
- Increase fluency in functional skill sets
- Increase comfort level with unit routines, flow of care, crisis management
- Time management and prioritization skills
- Real-time experience as a team member
- Customer service attitude and performance
- Familiarization with the unlicensed caregiver role in Methodist Healthcare
Level II Clinical Focus (16 hours/pay period):
- Stimulate critical thinking
- Observation of treatments and procedures, assisting as directed by the RN
- Develop beginning fluency in nursing documentation
- Develop communication skills in working with physicians, nursing staff, and ancillary departments
Benefits Available:
- Kaplan National Council Licensure Examination Review Class
- Scholarship Programs
Application Information
- Complete the Methodist Healthcare employment application online at www.SAHealth.com
- Obtain externship packet at the main Human Resources Department, located at 8109 Fredericksburg Road, San Antonio, Texas, 78229
- Obtain two recommendations from nursing school faculty (forms are included in packet)
- Obtain a completed Skills Verification Checklist from faculty
- Complete interview process with Human Resources and unit manager
“The internship can be challenging at times; however, it only challenges you in order to prepare you for the journey into nursing that lies ahead of you.”
—Intern, Methodist Hospital Pediatric Surgical Unit, 2006
“The Cardiovascular Nurse Internship program provides a knowledge and skills base for nurses to become strong practitioners and to provide quality nursing care. They progress quickly when they start orientation on the unit.”
—Nurse Manager, Methodist Specialty and Transplant Hospital, 2005
“These internship programs are wonderful. I wish I had this opportunity when I first started nursing.”
—Registered Nurse, Methodist Hospital Newborn Intensive Care Unit, 2005
