DUSON Duke Health Nurse Extern (DNE) - Float Pool

Duke Clinical Research Institute; Durham (NC); On-site; USD 20,000 - 29,000; Full time

Job summary

Duke University Health System provides a paid nurse extern internship for Duke School of Nursing students in Durham, North Carolina. The 10-week program places you with an RN partner in the Float Pool to gain diverse clinical experience and supportive patient care.

Applicants must be a Duke nursing student, have NC DHHS/Nurse Aide I Registry, and hold AHA BLS for the duration of the externship. Orientation and 80-hour commitment are required.

Qualifications

• Currently enrolled nursing student at Duke University.
• Evidence of current listing with NC Division of Health Services Regulation/Nurse Aide I Registry.
• AHA Basic Life Support Healthcare Provider status valid for entire PNA experience.

Responsibilities

• Be assigned 1:1 with an RN clinical partner for the 10-week experience.
• Work with nurses in the Float Pool across multiple units to gain diverse exposure.
• Prepare patients, equipment and supplies for procedures and assist with care.
• Record patient data for medical records and report changes to RN.
• Provide routine bedside care and support basic nursing tasks under supervision.

Skills

Sterile techniques

Nursing procedures

Patient care

Infection control

Communication

Teamwork

Education

Nursing student at Duke University

Job description

Paid Internship for Duke School of Nursing Students only

Timeline:

• Application submission end date: October 20, 2026
• Offers will be extended by the week of: October 30, 2026
• Start Date for Externship will be: November 30, 2026

At Duke Health, we're driven by a commitment to compassionate care that changes the lives of patients, their loved ones, and the greater community. No matter where your talents lie, join us and discover how we can advance health together.

About Duke University Hospital

Pursue your passion for caring with Duke University Hospital in Durham, North Carolina, which is consistently ranked among the best in the United States. The largest of the four Duke Health hospitals with 1062 patient beds, it features comprehensive diagnostic and therapeutic facilities, including a regional emergency/trauma center, an endo-surgery center, and more.

Duke University Health System - Float Pool

DUSON NURSE EXTERN (Professional Nursing Assistant)

Participant Requirements

• Must be a current Nursing Student at Duke University
• Participants must complete at least 80 hours.
• North Carolina Division of Health Services Regulation/Nurse Aide I Registry Required

General Description of the Job Class

• Perform a variety of nonprofessional nursing duties in the direct care of patients under the direct supervision of an RN.
• Serves to provide Duke University Health System with an opportunity to recruit and retain top quality new graduate nurses interested in providing optimal care with the 80‑hour program.
• This position will provide a work experience to enhance transition for the nursing student into practice as a registered nurse through professional clinical experience within the Float Pool.

Duties and Responsibilities of this Level

• Be assigned 1:1 with an RN clinical partner for the entire 10‑week experience.
• The PNA will be assigned to work with a variety of nurses within the Float Pool to gain insight on the myriad of populations we serve within Critical Care, Med‑Surg, Pediatrics, Procedural, Oncology and experience all the specialties within nursing.
• Prepare patients, equipment and supplies for specific procedures and provide manual assistance as required.
• Obtain and record patient data for medical records noting and information RN of information collected.
• Administer treatment and personal care procedures to patients including, but not limited to feeding, bathing, shaving, changing clothing, cleaning and trimming fingernails, bed making, assisting with ambulation, enemas, skin care, and bowel and bladder elimination; provide such additional care as required to meet the personal needs and comfort of assigned patients.
• Participate in teaching activities by reinforcing teaching instructed by RN/physicians as needed.
• Assist physician and nurses with physical examinations by helping position patients, changing non-sterile dressing and weighing patients.
• Take and record vital signs, record I & O, apply ice bags, administer douches and enemas. Note and report any changes in patient's condition. Turn and position patients, set up and feed patients as necessary, and provide patients with fresh drinking water.
• Perform finger sticks for blood glucose testing, with appropriate training.
• Collect, deliver and conduct routine tests on patient specimens. Clean assigned area; stock and replenish supplies and equipment as required.
• Assist with admission, discharge, and transportation of patients. Follow standard precautions and use personal protective equipment as required.

Required Qualifications at this Level

Education

• Applicants must be a student at Duke University in an accredited nursing program.

Experience: Degrees, Licensure, and/or Certification

• Applicants must provide evidence of current listing with the North Carolina Division of Health Services Regulation/Nurse Aide I Registry.
• Applicants must provide evidence of current American Heart Association (AHA) Basic Life Support Healthcare provider status that will be valid for the entire length of the PNA experience. CEPD can provide BLS at orientation if they were unable to obtain prior to coming to DUHS.
• If applicant becomes a permanent DUHS employee, applicant must be current with an AHA Basic Life Support Healthcare Provider card.
• Applicants will agree to attend an institution-specific orientation program.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Working knowledge of sterile techniques and special procedures that apply to work performed.
• Working knowledge of procedures and techniques involved in administering routine and special treatments to patients.
• Working knowledge of sanitation, person hygiene and basic health and safety precautions applicable to work in a hospital.
• Working knowledge of the organization and physical layout of the hospital.
• Working knowledge of the infection control procedures and safety precautions.
• Ability to withstand prolonged standing and walking.
• Heavy lifting and the ability to transport stretcher and wheelchair patients to various hospital locations may be required.
• Ability to understand and follow oral and written instructions.
• Ability to document and communicate pertinent information using computer and or paper documentation tools.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with patients and hospital staff.
• Working knowledge of principles and practices of providing non‑professional bedside patient care.

Distinguishing Characteristics of this Level

• The intent of this job description is to provide a representative and level of the types of duties and responsibilities that will be required of positions given this title and shall not be construed as a declaration of the total of the specific duties and responsibilities of any particular position. Employees may be directed to perform job‑related tasks other than those specifically presented in this description.
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• Duke aspires to create a community built on collaboration, innovation, creativity, and belonging. Our collective success depends on the robust exchange of ideas‑an exchange that is best when the rich diversity of our perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences flourishes. To achieve this exchange, it is essential that all members of the community feel secure and welcome, that the contributions of all individuals are respected, and that all voices are heard. All members of our community have a responsibility to uphold these values.

Essential Physical Job Functions

• Certain jobs at Duke University and Duke University Health System may include essential job functions that require specific physical and/or mental abilities. Additional information and provision for requests for reasonable accommodation will be provided by each hiring department.

Duke is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing employment opportunity without regard to an individual's age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy and pregnancy related conditions), sexual orientation or military status.

Duke aspires to create a community built on collaboration, innovation, creativity, and belonging. Our collective success depends on the robust exchange of ideas‑an exchange that is best when the rich diversity of our perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences flourishes. To achieve this exchange, it is essential that all members of the community feel secure and welcome, that the contributions of all individuals are respected, and that all voices are heard. All members of our community have a responsibility to uphold these values.

Essential Physical Job Functions: Certain jobs at Duke University and Duke University Health System may include essential job functions that require specific physical and/or mental abilities. Additional information and provision for requests for reasonable accommodation will be provided by each hiring department.