Gaining quality, real-life clinical experience ahead of a career in nursing is vital to readiness and future success in the medical field.
The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center offers students in nursing school a variety of opportunities to foster competency and professionalism in a hospital setting while also learning how to deliver patient-centered care for a remarkable patient experience. As an academic medical center, the Ohio State Wexner Medical Center is accustomed to working with learners and will help you apply the skills that you’ve learned in your nursing program.
You’ll work alongside seasoned nurses and other clinical staff as an integral member of the care team, allowing you to gain valuable insight into your chosen career and prepare you to transition more easily to practice, especially if you choose to stay at the Ohio State Wexner Medical Center after graduation. Many of our student nurses go on to have a career at our hospital.
Student nurse job opportunities at Ohio State
The Ohio State Wexner Medical Center offers several different programs for student nurses, both during the academic school year and during the summer.
These programs, which require interviews and offer competitive pay, are available to nursing students at The Ohio State University as well as in the Columbus area. We can also accommodate nursing students who go to schools outside central Ohio, if you’re home for the summer or another reason and wanting to participate in this type of experience.
The two main student nursing job opportunities at Ohio State are:
- Student Nurse Assistant – a year-round paid position where nursing students work eight hours a week around their school schedule as nursing assistants within the hospital, using a specialized skillset according to year of education
- Student Nurse Externship – an eight-week summer paid program where externs are paired with an experienced RN preceptor for 32-36 hours per week on an inpatient unit.
What is the Student Nurse Assistant Program?
The comprehensive Student Nurse Assistant Program enhances and supports nursing students in their progression toward practice as a professional nurse. Students work as nurse assistants within the hospital several hours every week.
The flexible position allows nursing students to prioritize education while gaining valuable experience, skills and knowledge at the Ohio State Wexner Medical Center. The program focuses on clinical and professional development and building meaningful relationships.
Responsibilities of a Student Nurse Assistant at Ohio State
The Student Nurse Assistant is responsible for providing a variety of direct and indirect patient care activities as supervised and directed by an assigned registered nurse. These activities get progressively more advanced depending on your year in school and experience.
For example, a sophomore or junior nurse may learn to take vital signs, draw blood or administer an electrocardiogram (EKG). A senior nurse may remove an IV, insert a Foley catheter or assist with or trach or ostomy care.
The student nurse is also responsible for building professionalism and cultivating an empathetic bedside manner. Students are expected to work 32 hours every four-week period with some flexibility on when these hours are scheduled.
Requirements for the Student Nurse Assistant Program
To be considered for the Student Nurse Assistant Program, you must:
- Be enrolled in an accredited nursing school at a university or college
- Complete a nursing health assessment or nursing clinical
- Possess strong customer service, organizational and time management skills
- Attend a required one-day student nurse training course after hiring
How to apply to be a Student Nurse Assistant
Applications are accepted year-round for the Student Nurse Program, but placements are subject to availability of different hospital units. Applications can be found online.
For questions related to the Student Nurse Program, please contact Natalie Steele at Natalie.Steele@osumc.edu.
What is the Student Nurse Externship?
The Student Nurse Externship is an eight-week summer program in which nursing students work with highly skilled nurse preceptors to gain experience with multidisciplinary teams in diverse specialty care areas and an atmosphere of learning and support.
Responsibilities of a student nurse in the extern program
Externs are paired with an experienced RN preceptor for 32-36 hours per week on an inpatient unit. Participants follow their paired preceptor’s schedule.
Externs earn a competitive hourly wage and increase the skills and knowledge needed to transition to practice. This also enhances your undergraduate education with hands-on learning.
Weekly schedules are designed to allow externs to have varied experiences, including direct patient care, professional development sessions, discussions and observational experiences.
Requirements for the Student Nurse Externship
To be considered for the Student Nurse Externship, you must:
- Be enrolled in an accredited baccalaureate nursing program at a university or college and have completed your junior year
- Maintain a GPA of 3.2 or higher
- Complete a HireVue electronic interview
- Write a 250-word essay describing how the externship could influence the transition from student nurse to professional nurse
- Provide school transcripts or advising report
How to apply for the Student Nurse Externship
Applications for the Nursing Externship Program will be accepted starting on Nov. 18. Your complete application, school transcripts or advising report, and essay must be received by March 31, 2025. Interested applicants are encouraged to apply early as there are a limited number of positions available. Applicants will be notified of externship acceptance by the end of April.
You can email questions to Natalie Steele at Natalie.Steele@osumc.edu.
Benefits of working at Ohio State as a student nurse
Participating in the student nurse opportunities available at the Ohio State Wexner Medical Center can have a great impact on your future success in the nursing or medical field.
Working at Ohio State as a student nurse helps you:
- Gain real-life experience in the nursing environment at one of the top-ranked academic medical centers in the country.
- Have diverse experiences by working in various areas of the medical center, including the James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Center, Brain and Spine Hospital, Ross Heart Hospital, East Hospital and the main campus at University Hospital.
- Learn from knowledgeable and talented nursing staff, which is Magnet certified in many areas and recognized regularly for high-quality, safe patient care.
- Prepare for your transition from student nurse to professional nurse.
- Build relationships in your field.
- Create opportunities for the next step in your career, especially if you choose to join the Buckeye Nurse Residency Program for your transition to practice.