Student Nurse Externship

Overview

The Student Nurse Externship at Franciscan Health Indianapolis offers nursing students valuable experience under the supervision of a RN preceptor.

With more than a century-old tradition of health care, Franciscan Health has long been a place where nurses care for patients while continuing Christ's ministry in our Franciscan tradition. Our 10-week paid student nurse externship offers participants an exceptional opportunity to learn new skills of the nursing profession in a safe and nurturing environment.

The externship will take place at Franciscan Health Indianapolis, a full-service hospital facility located southeast of downtown Indianapolis.

Under the supervision of a RN preceptor, the student will:

• be involved in caring for patients holistically
• become more confident in decision-making
• learn time management
• become an effective communicator
• improve critical thinking skills
• learn more about the everyday expectations of the professional nurse

Program objectives

The externship is designed to help the student to:

• Utilize the nursing process (Assessment, Planning, Intervention and Evaluation) for providing direct patient care in the acute care setting.
• Manage the care of patients experiencing acute and chronic conditions utilizing a holistic approach.
• Integrate knowledge and skills acquired throughout the program: critical thinking, care coordination, leadership, and collaboration and communication skills.
• Develop clinical reasoning and competent nursing practice and begin transition to professional practice.

Program expectations

All students accepted into the Franciscan Health student nurse externship program are expected to:

• Commit to entire 10-week program and orientation dates
• Follow his or her assigned preceptor's work schedule (36-40 hours per week)