Student Nurse Externship 2026

STUDENT NURSE EXTERNSHIP 2026 APPLICATION

LAUNCH YOUR NURSING CAREER WITH HANDS-ON EXPERIENCE

Ready to take your skills beyond the classroom? MU Health Care's 12-week Student Nurse Externship is designed for nursing students within one year of graduation. You'll work side by side with experienced RNs, gain confidence, and build the foundation for your future as a nurse.

Upon successful completion of the externship, nursing students may have an opportunity to continue as a senior student nurse extern and receive special consideration for Graduate Nurse (GN) positions.

WHAT YOU'LL GAIN

* Direct mentorship from experienced RNs

* Opportunities to practice advanced skills under RN supervision

* Immersive patient care experience across hospital units

* Confidence and real-world experience to prepare for your nursing career

* A 36-hour workweek that mirrors the life of a nurse

ABOUT MU HEALTH CARE

MU Health Care is proud to be named one of Forbes' Best-in-State Employers seven years in a row, and that's largely a result of the incredible culture and team we've built. At MU Health Care, we have an inspired, hard-working and collaborative environment driven by our mission to save and improve lives. Here, we believe anything is possible and rally around solutions. We celebrate innovation and offer opportunities to be a part of something bigger - to have a voice and role in the work that is serving our community and changing the field of medicine.

Our academic health system - the only in mid-Missouri - is home to seven hospitals, including the region's only Level 1 Trauma Center and region's only Children's Hospital, as well as over 90 specialty clinics. Here you can define your career among our many clinical and nonclinical positions - with growth, opportunity and support every step of the way.

Learn more about MU Health Care.

Learn more about living in mid-Missouri.

IMPORTANT DATES

* Program Start: May 26, 2026

* Orientation: May 26-28 (5 PM-9 PM) & June 1 (8 AM-5 PM)

* Program Length: 12 weeks (10 paid + 1-2 weeks unpaid vacation)

* Application Deadline: January 16, 2026

* Department Interviews: February 11-12, 2026

COMPENSATION:

* Pay: $16.25-$19.09/hour (unit-specific)

* Shift Differentials: Additional $2.00 per hour for evening, night, and weekend shifts

UNITS OF INTEREST

University Hospital (Columbia, MO)

Adult Medical Care, Cardiology, Cardiac ICU, Emergency Department, Family Medicine, Integrated Medicine, Labor & Delivery, Medical Bridge Unit, Medical Specialty, Medical ICU, Maternal Newborn Unit, Neuroscience Unit, Neuroscience ICU, Neonatal ICU, Observation, Oncology, Operating Room, Pediatrics, Pediatric ICU, Progressive Care Unit, Surgical ICU, Surgical Specialty

Capital Region Medical Center (Jefferson City, MO)

Emergency Department, Intensive Care Unit, Medical/Surgical, Obstetrics, Operating Room, Progressive Care Unit, PreOp

Missouri Orthopaedic Institute (Columbia, MO)

Inpatient Unit, Operating Room

Missouri Psychiatric Center (Columbia, MO)

Adult Unit, Pediatric Unit

(We do our best to match your preferences, but placement depends on application strength and unit availability. On the follow-up survey sent after submitting your application you'll be asked to rank your units of interest from most to least interested.)

REQUIREMENTS

* Be within one year of graduation (Dec 2026-Aug 2027)

* Completed a Fundamentals of Nursing course

* GPA 2.5

* Complete online reference process (5 total: 2 instructors, 2 peers, 1 employer, references letters not required)

* Phone interview with HR + virtual interview with nursing departments

* Active BLS certification (AHA or Red Cross)

* Rank your preferred units on follow-up application survey

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met with or without reasonable accommodation. The performance of these physical demands is an essential function of the job. This position is very active and requires ambulating, reaching, and moving objects weighing up to and over 20 lbs.

This role also routinely comes into contact with patients who may have contagious illnesses. This position is in a health care facility open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Rotating shifts as well as holiday and work during inclement weather will be required.

The University of Missouri is an Equal Opportunity Employer.