Mercy Jefferson - Winter Externship 2026

Mercy; Festus (MO); On-site; USD 24,000 - 29,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid externship

Hands-on learning

Mentorship by Mercy nurses

Job summary

Mercy is offering a Winter Nursing Externship in Festus, MO. This paid externship provides hands-on learning at Mercy Jefferson, with a 36-hour work week from December 21, 2026 to January 15, 2027.

Participants rotate through units, learn directly from Mercy nurses, and gain experience in direct and indirect patient care while building confidence and clinical skills.

Qualifications

• Must be a nursing student enrolled in an accredited program.
• Completed at least 2 nursing semesters, including one clinical rotation, by start date.

Responsibilities

• Rotate through hospital units under Mercy nurses to gain hands-on experience.
• Assist with direct and indirect patient care under supervision.
• Learn IV therapy, Foley care, NG tube care, dressing changes, and related procedures as part of clinical skill-building.

Skills

Nursing student

Clinical experience

Education

Two semesters of nursing school

One clinical rotation completed

Job description

Find your calling at Mercy!

Position Details:

Festus, MO 63028

December 21, 2026 - January 15, 2027

Mercy Jefferson Winter Externship

Our Mercy Nursing Externship is a unique handson learning experience designed to help nursing students bridge the gap between the classroom and realworld practice. This paid externship gives you the opportunity to work approximately 36 hours per week, rotating through a variety of units while learning directly at the elbow of a Mercy nurse.

Participating in a Mercy Externship will help you:

• Deepen your understanding of the nursing role within an acute care setting
• Build confidence in delivering both direct and indirect patient care
• Enhance your clinical skills through dedicated preceptor time, including: IV therapy Foley care NG tube care and tube feeding Ostomy care Point-of-care testing, phlebotomy, and specimen collection Simple dressing changes Headtotoe assessments Trach care

You'll gain meaningful exposure to diverse patient populations, strengthen your criticalthinking skills, and work closely with experienced nurses who are committed to supporting your learning and growth.

Externship Requirement: Applicants must have completed at least 2 semesters of nursing school, including a minimum of one round of clinicals, by the start of the externship

What Past Mercy Externs Are Saying

• "I feel that all of the nurses were very willing and happy to have students and created a very comfortable space to learn and ask questions."
• "I liked getting to see a variety of places in the hospital. It helped me get a better idea of the right nursing job for me."
• "I think it was great to see all that the hospital has to offer and what a typical day looks like on each floor. I think it was entirely more helpful than the clinical experiences I have had at school."
• "Going to different units throughout the externship helped me learn about different protocols, medications, acuity levels of patients, and more. It allowed me to experience so many different clinical areas in a short time."

These reflections highlight what sets the Mercy Nursing Externship apart: supportive teams, real handson experience, and opportunities to grow in a welcoming environment.

Why Mercy?

From day one, Mercy offers outstanding benefits - including medical, dental, and vision coverage, paid time off, tuition support, and matched retirement plans for team members working 32+ hours per pay period.

Join a caring, collaborative team where your voice matters. At Mercy, you'll help shape the future of healthcare through innovation, technology, and compassion. As we grow, you'll grow with us.