The world of healthcare is vast and exciting, and nursing plays a vital role in keeping patients healthy and supported. But before you head into years of schooling, wouldn’t it be great to get a sneak peek into the daily life of a nurse? This is where nursing internships for high school students come in! These programs offer an incredible opportunity to see if a career in nursing truly sparks your passion.
In this blog, we’ll share the top 11 nursing internships specifically designed for high school students. We’ll explore a variety of programs, from assisting in hospitals to researching public health initiatives. These internships give you a chance to explore different areas of nursing and gain valuable experience that will benefit you for years to come.
5 Benefits of Nursing Internships for High School Students
Nursing internships for high school students offer a plethora of benefits, giving them a head start in their healthcare journey. Here are some of the key advantages:
- Exposure to the nursing field: Textbooks and classrooms can only teach so much. Nursing internships provide you with firsthand experience in a real healthcare setting. You can shadow nurses as they go about their daily tasks, interact with patients, and observe different departments within a hospital or clinic. This exposure allows you to see what nurses really do and gain a deeper understanding of the profession.
- Solidify your career choice: Nursing school requires dedication and hard work. An internship allows high school students to test the waters of a nursing career before committing to a long-term educational path. You can see if the daily tasks, responsibilities, and challenges align with your interests and personality. This early exploration can help you solidify your career choice or discover a better fit within the healthcare field.
- Develop valuable skills: Internships aren’t all about observation. Many programs allow students to participate in age-appropriate tasks. This could involve taking vital signs, assisting with patient care activities, or helping with administrative duties. These hands-on experiences help you develop skills such as communication, empathy, critical thinking, and problem-solving, all of which are essential for a successful nursing career.
- Gain a competitive edge: Internships look great on college applications, especially for nursing programs. The experience shows your commitment and passion for the field. Additionally, the skills and knowledge gained during the internship can give you a competitive edge over other applicants.
- Build a professional network: Internships provide opportunities to interact with nurses, doctors, and other healthcare professionals. You can make connections, learn from mentors, and potentially gain valuable references for future job opportunities.
The 10 Best Nursing Internships for High School Students
1. Yocket High School Summer Internship Program
The Yocket High School Summer Internship is a 4-week virtual program designed specifically for aspiring nurses. This immersive experience will provide you with the skills and knowledge to excel in the field. You’ll gain hands-on experience by assisting with virtual simulations, exploring healthcare technology, and working on topics like patient care and medical ethics. Our dedicated mentors will provide invaluable guidance throughout the program, from project completion to crafting a compelling college application that highlights your newfound skills and passion for nursing.
This program goes beyond just building your skillset. Weekly mentorship sessions with experienced nurses, practice assessments to gauge your learning, an official letter of recommendation, and a director-signed certificate will strengthen your academic profile and impress potential nursing schools and employers. Don’t miss this opportunity to be part of a limited cohort of 50 students and connect with a global network of ambitious future nurses.
2. UAB Medicine
UAB Medicine is a network of hospitals and clinics located in Birmingham, Alabama. They offer a volunteer internship program for teenagers through their Department of Volunteer Services. This program allows teens to get firsthand experience in the healthcare field. By becoming part of the UAB team, teens can contribute to a positive and supportive environment for both patients and staff.
The UAB Medicine Teen Volunteer Program is a summer program with two available sessions in June and July. Each session lasts for one month. This gives teens a dedicated period to immerse themselves in the world of healthcare.
Note: UAB Medicine advises applying early, as volunteer opportunities are limited. This ensures you have the best chance of securing a spot in the program during your preferred session.
3. Huntsville Hospital
Huntsville Hospital is a large 941-bed hospital in Madison County, Alabama. It has been serving the community since 1895. Their Corporate University offers programs to help students interested in learning more about healthcare careers.
One option is the job-shadowing program. This program allows students to shadow a nursing professional for 12 hours. Job shadowing is a great way to get a firsthand look at a specific healthcare career and see what a typical day is like for someone in that role.
The hospital also offers a summer youth auxiliary program. This program requires a minimum 7-week commitment during the summer months. This program is likely more hands-on than job shadowing and could involve volunteering in a specific area of the hospital.
4. Southeast Alaska Regional Health Consortium
The Southeast Alaska Regional Health Consortium (SEARHC) is committed to supporting the career development of aspiring healthcare professionals who are Native Alaskan students. They offer two distinct programs: the Ethel Lund Village Health Occupation Program and a summer internship program.
The summer internship program is an opportunity for students to get hands-on experience in a healthcare setting. It’s a paid, full-time program running from June to September that requires a commitment of 30 to 40 hours per week. This intensive program allows students to immerse themselves in the daily workings of SEARHC and contribute meaningfully to the organization’s mission of providing quality healthcare to Southeast Alaska.
Note: Eligibility for both SEARHC’s internship and the Ethel Lund Village Health Occupation Program is restricted to students who are members of a recognized tribe or can demonstrate tribal descent.
5. University of South Alabama Children’s and Women’s Hospital
The University of South Alabama Children’s and Women’s Hospital, located in Mobile, Alabama, is dedicated to providing exceptional care for women and children. If you’re a teenager interested in volunteering in a healthcare setting, this hospital offers a rewarding summer program specifically designed for first-time teen volunteers.
This volunteer internship is a three-month summer program that allows teens to gain experience in a hospital environment. Teen volunteers play a vital role in supporting patients, families, and staff at the Children’s and Women’s Hospital. By participating in this program, you’ll contribute to the positive atmosphere and well-being of those visiting and working at the hospital.
6. Phoenix Children’s Hospital
Phoenix Children’s Hospital is one of the largest children’s hospitals in the country, with nearly 1,000 pediatric specialists on staff. It offers year-round volunteer internship programs, specifically for high school students. If you’re interested in giving back to your community and getting valuable healthcare experience, this could be a great opportunity for you.
As a volunteer, you’d commit to at least 2–4 hours per week, working toward a minimum of 100 hours over the course of a year. There are three main areas where you can contribute your time: program volunteer, clerical volunteer, or team volunteer. Additionally, they have a summer program, but that’s only open to students who are 18 by the beginning of the program.
7. University of Alaska Anchorage
The University of Alaska Anchorage offers an opportunity for high school students interested in healthcare careers through the Della Keats Health Sciences Summer Program. This program stretches for a month and a half, which provides students with a deeper understanding of the world of nursing. Participants get to live on campus in dorms, experiencing college life firsthand. To help with daily expenses like food, the program offers a small stipend to each attendee.
The program itself runs from June to July, lasting between four and six weeks. During this time, you can expect to be fully engaged in activities designed to spark your passion for the healthcare profession.
8. Maricopa Integrated Health Systems
Maricopa Integrated Health Systems (formerly known as MIHS) is a comprehensive healthcare provider serving the community with a network of facilities. This network includes Maricopa Medical Center, the Arizona Burn Center, a Level I Trauma Center, and the Arizona Children’s Center. MIHS offers a volunteer internship program that allows passionate individuals to give back to the community.
The MIHS volunteer internship program is a year-round opportunity with a minimum commitment of 6 months. They have a wide range of volunteer positions available, and they will work to place you in a role that aligns with your interests. If you’re energetic, compassionate, communicative, and at least 16 years old, you may be a great fit for their volunteer program.
9. Arizona State University
Arizona State University boasts a highly ranked nursing and health innovation program, placing 24th in the nation according to U.S. News & World Report. But for those interested in healthcare fields, there’s an opportunity to get experience even before college. The Arizona State University Summer Health Institute offers a residential program specifically designed for high school juniors.
This one-week program provides participants with a hands-on introduction to various healthcare professions. Students will spend three hours each day engaged in simulations at the university’s medical campus. These simulations will give them a chance to practice real-world skills like suturing, inserting IVs, intubation, and proper surgical scrubbing techniques. Through these experiences, students can gain a deeper understanding of healthcare careers and explore their potential fit in the medical field.
10. Arkansas Children’s Hospital
Arkansas Children’s Hospital, situated in Little Rock, Arkansas, holds the distinction of being the only pediatric medical center in the state and one of the largest in the nation. Recognizing the value of youth engagement in healthcare, they offer a junior volunteer internship program with options for both the school year and summer months.
Specifically designed for high school students, the summer internship provides experience in the healthcare field. Participants dedicate four hours a day, five days a week, for a two-week session, gaining valuable hands-on exposure. This unpaid internship runs during the summer months, typically between June and July.
11. Kaiser Permanente
Kaiser Permanente offers an opportunity for high school students through its Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP). Established in 1968, SYEP is a paid internship program designed specifically for underserved high school students in designated Kaiser Permanente service areas within California.
This eight-week internship offers a comprehensive experience. Students gain work experience through a paid internship, which allows them to see firsthand the inner workings of the healthcare field. The program also provides workshops to help interns develop important personal and professional skills. Mentors are available to offer guidance and support, and networking opportunities connect interns with peers and even senior leaders through work-based activities.
From the Desk of Yocket
Nursing internships in high school are an opportunity for you to explore your interest in healthcare. These internships provide a chance to step into the world of nursing before committing to years of education. By shadowing nurses and observing daily tasks, you get a realistic understanding of the profession’s challenges, rewards, and the different specialties within nursing. This firsthand experience can solidify a passion for nursing or help you discover a better career fit.
Furthermore, nursing internships can provide you with valuable skills and experiences that will benefit you throughout your academic and professional careers. You may learn basic patient care techniques, develop communication and interpersonal skills, and gain exposure to medical terminology. These advantages strengthen college applications for nursing programs and also prepare you to hit the ground running in your future nursing endeavors.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there nursing internships for high school students?
Absolutely! While some internships might require college enrollment, many hospitals and healthcare facilities offer volunteer or internship programs specifically designed for high schoolers interested in nursing.
What can I expect to do in a high school nursing internship?
Nursing internships typically focus on observation and assisting nurses. You might shadow nurses as they care for patients, help with administrative tasks, or learn about different healthcare departments.
What are the benefits of a nursing internship in high school?
Internships offer invaluable exposure to the nursing field. You’ll gain firsthand experience, see if nursing is a good fit for you, and potentially earn references and a head start on your nursing journey.
