Nurse Externship - Behavioral Health

The Nurse Intern supports patient care under the direct supervision of a Registered Nurse (RN), assisting with essential care tasks and fostering a therapeutic environment. This role emphasizes hands-on learning, collaboration with the healthcare team, and providing safe, compassionate, and organized care to enhance the patient experience and contribute to the healing process.

Essential Functions

• Provides basic patient care within scope of practice, including vital sign monitoring, hygiene assistance, and patient comfort measures, ensuring timely and accurate completion of tasks.
• Communicates effectively with the care team, including handoffs, reporting changes in patient conditions, and participating in bedside shift reports.
• Develops clinical skills by asking questions, seeking feedback, and applying evidence-based practices under the guidance of an RN.
• Maintains a clean and organized work environment, ensuring patient rooms, utility rooms, and shared workspaces meet safety and compliance standards.
• Assists with basic equipment maintenance, such as glucometers, bladder scanners, and scales, and ensures timely removal, cleaning, and proper storage of patient care equipment after discharge.
• Performs hourly rounding and provides purposeful patient interactions to foster therapeutic relationships and enhance the healing process.
• Documents all tasks and observations clearly, accurately, and in a timely manner, adhering to facility policies and standards.
• Upholds excellent customer service relations with patients, families, and internal/external departments.
• Performs other duties as assigned.
• Maintains regular and reliable attendance.
• Complies with all policies and standards.

Qualifications

• Currently enrolled in an accredited Nursing program required and
• Completion of fundamentals of clinicals in an accredited Nursing program required
• 0-1 years of experience in a healthcare setting required

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Basic understanding of patient care procedures and medical terminology.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills to interact effectively with patients, families, and healthcare team members.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and manage multiple tasks efficiently.
• Attention to detail and organizational skills to ensure accurate documentation and compliance with care standards.
• Commitment to maintaining a safe and therapeutic patient care environment.

Licenses and Certifications

• CPR - Cardiac Pulmonary Resuscitation issued by American Heart Association (AHA), American Red Cross (ARC), or American Safety and Health Institute (ASHI) required
• For Skilled Nursing - Fingerprint Clearance Card issued by State Department of Public Safety required