Summer 2026 RN Externship Program

Nursing Externship - Summer 2026

June 15, 2025 - August 12, 2026

The UT Southwestern Summer Externship Program is open to students who are classified as Junior II or Senior I nursing students graduating in December 2026 or May 2027.  Requires current enrollment in a BSN program and a minimum 3.0 GPA; with a current American Heart Association Basic Life Support certification.

Job Duties

• Reports any changes in patient's condition or behavior immediately to nurse. Seeks assistance and guidance as needed to ensure that patient care is delivered in safe, high quality and effective manner at all times. 
• Responds to patient requests for assistance in respectful, positive and timely manner. Asks patient and/or patient's family can I do anything else for you before leaving room.
• Performs basic hygiene care and other nursing procedures as instructed and observed. Checks patient carefully during all contacts. Reports anything other than normal immediately to nurse.
• Makes frequent and ongoing patient rounds to comfort, position, and to provide toileting and hygiene care. Let’s patient know when you will return. Eliminates patient's frequent use of call light.
• Documents patient information accurately and in appropriate place in timely manner.
• Transfers, and transports patients safely and in accordance with Department of Nursing Policies and Procedures. Ensures that patient is covered with robe and/or blankets and that slippers are on feet.
• Welcomes new patient and patient's family. Knocks before entering room. Smiles and introduces self. Wears name tag. Alerts nurse immediately if patient and/or patient's family seems or is unhappy and you have not resolved issue.
• Assumes accountability for all actions in workplace. Reports errors promptly. Maintains patient confidentiality when faced with questions from visitors or public. Coordinates schedules to seek opportunities to learn and demonstrate knowledge.
• Collaborates with other nursing staff and hospital employees to create environment that is conducive to retention of qualified personnel.
• Utilizes downtime to assist others and/or to provide additional amenities to patients and/or patients' families.
• Collects intake and output, weight, temperature, pulse, respiration, and blood pressure.
• Recognizes and immediately reports values outside normal parameters to nurse.
• Demonstrates awareness of age-specific considerations in gathering these assessments.

Experience and Education

• Current BSN student; Entering Junior year of nursing program
• Actively enrolled and maintaining a 3.0 academic GPA
• Current BLS certification, course accredited by the American Heart Association (AHA) or American Red Cross (ARC)
• Performing patient care and activities of daily living (ADL's) 

Compliance with the COVID-19 vaccine mandate enforced by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) is a requirement for this position. Federal law requires individuals holding this position to be fully vaccinated or have an approved exemption for certain medical, disability, or religious reasons. Individuals who do not meet CMS vaccination requirements are not eligible and should not apply for this position but are encouraged to apply for other non-healthcare positions at UT Southwestern for which they qualify.

For COVID-19 vaccine information, applicants should visit https://www.utsouthwestern.edu/covid-19/work-on-campus/

This position is security-sensitive and subject to Texas Education Code §51.215, which authorizes UT Southwestern to obtain criminal history record information.

UT Southwestern Medical Center is committed to an educational and working environment that provides equal opportunity to all members of the University community. In accordance with federal and state law, the University prohibits unlawful discrimination, including harassment, on the basis of: race; color; religion; national origin; sex; including sexual harassment; age; disability; genetic information; citizenship status; and protected veteran status. In addition, it is UT Southwestern policy to prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression.