Mercy Southeast - Winter Nurse Externship

Southeast Hospital; Cape Girardeau (MO); On-site; USD 2,066,000 - 3,031,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision coverage

Tuition support

Paid time off

Job summary

Mercy’s Nurse Externship at Mercy Hospital Southeast in Cape Girardeau, MO welcomes nursing students enrolled in an approved program. This paid externship runs four weeks, 36 hours per week, with day or night shifts and two session choices.

Participants will rotate through units and learn directly under Mercy nurses. Through hands-on clinical practice, externs gain experience in direct patient care, IV therapy, Foley care, NG tube care, and head-to-toe assessments, under supervision.

Qualifications

• BLS certification required.
• Enrolled in approved nursing program or accredited nursing school.
• Physical requirements: ability to lift 50 pounds, stand/walk for long periods.

Responsibilities

• Assist in individualized patient care under RN supervision.
• Rotate through multiple units to gain broad nursing exposure.
• Perform designated clinical procedures and nonclinical support tasks within extern scope.

Skills

BLS certification

Education

High school diploma / GED

Enrolled in approved nursing program

Job description

As a student in an approved registered nurse or practical nurse school of nursing, the Nurse Extern student participates in clinical work under the direction of an RN. The Nurse Extern assists in the individualized care of the patient to achieve the patient’s highest level of wellness working cooperatively with others as part of the healthcare team and performs designated clinical procedures and nonclinical support tasks within the nurse extern scope.

Position Details

Winter Nurse Externship

Location: Mercy Hospital Southeast, Cape Girardeau, MO

Department: Center of Nursing Excellence

Status: Temporary, 4-week session, 36 hours/week

Shift: 12 Hour Days or Nights

Two Sessions To Choose From

• Session I: December 14th - January 8th
• Session II: December 21st - January 15th

Our Mercy Nurse Externship is a unique hands-on learning experience designed to help nursing students bridge the gap between the classroom and real-world practice. This paid externship gives participants the opportunity to work approximately 36 hours per week, during a 4-week session while on school break. Nurse externs will rotate 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 in an acute care setting
• Enhance your clinical skills through dedicated preceptor time, including: IV therapy, Foley care, NG tube care, tube feeding, ostomy care, point-of-care testing, phlebotomy, specimen collection, simple dressing changes, trach care, and head-to-toe assessments.

You’ll gain meaningful exposure to diverse patient populations, strengthen your critical‑thinking skills, and work closely with experienced nurses who are committed to supporting your professional growth and learning opportunities.

Qualifications

Nurse Externship Requirement:

• Required Education: High school diploma, G.E.D. and enrolled in an approved or accredited nursing program. *Please see above. Applicants may be asked to provide a copy of student transcripts indicating they have completed Fundamentals of Nursing from an accredited school of nursing and provide competency skills list from their learning institution.
• Certifications: Basic Life Support (BLS) certification
• Other: Minimum Physical Requirements:
  • Position requires individuals to push, pull, and/or lift 50 pounds on a regular basis.
  • Position requires prolonged standing and walking each shift.
  • Position requires the ability to grip, reach, bend, kneel, twist, and squat to perform duties.

Supportive teams, real hands‑on experience, and opportunities to grow in a welcoming environment are just a few of the highlights that set the Mercy Nurse Externship apart.

• Limited Opportunities Available***

Please make sure to apply prior to the application deadline of November 14, 2026

For more information, please contact: [e-mail]

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.

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