Nurse Extern II - Abdominal Transplant Unit - Winter 2026 Grads - St. Luke's

Advocate Health; Milwaukee (WI); On-site; USD 22,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

Advocate Health's Abdominal Transplant Unit is seeking a nursing student or nursing assistant to support daily patient care under the supervision of a Registered Nurse. The unit handles transplant and associated conditions, offering a fast-paced environment that emphasizes patient relationships, timely assessments, and teamwork.

You will assist with vital signs, monitoring, documentation, and safe patient handling while learning core nursing skills in a high-acuity setting.

Qualifications

• Must provide patient care under supervision of RN.
• Strong communication with patients, families and team.
• Ability to work cooperatively in a fast-paced unit.

Responsibilities

• Assist with activities of daily living, vital signs and glucose monitoring under RN supervision.
• Collaborate with RN to establish care plans based on patient needs.
• Observe patient responses and communicate needs to the RN.
• Develop delegation skills for Health Unit Coordinators and Nursing Assistants.
• Administer medications as delegated by the RN after competency is confirmed.
• Manage higher patient load with time management during shifts.
• Collect and synthesize patient data to identify status and needs.
• Participate in safety and emergency activities under supervision.
• Assist with patient positioning and transport with proper technique.
• Provide age-appropriate care and document according to unit policies.

Skills

Patient care

Communication

Teamwork

Education

Currently enrolled in nursing program

Medical Surgical Clinical completed

Pharmacological Concepts course completed

Job description

Unit Description:

Abdominal Transplant (Liver, Kidney & Pancreas) Unit. High acuity- step-down unit to SICU. We not only take care of transplant patients but also see liver disease, renal disease, general abdominal surgeries, oncology surgery and urology overflow. This is a fast-paced, moderate acuity floor that requires the ability to think on your feet and build relationships with your patients.

Major Responsibilities:

• Under the observation of the Registered Nurse, completes activities of daily living, vital sign completion and blood glucose monitoring.
• Collaborates with the Registered Nurse in establishing a plan of care based upon an analysis of health, education and developmental needs and patient/family preferences.
• Under the observation of the Registered Nurse, evaluates patient response to interventions and effectively communicates observations and patient needs to the Registered Nurse.
• Develops delegation skills appropriate to Health Unit Coordinators, Nursing Assistants and technical roles on unit.
• Administers medication as delegated by the Registered Nurse. The level of clinical judgment and proficiency of skill must be evaluated prior to medication administration.
• Manages an increased number of patients and incorporates principles of time management into shift routine.
• Demonstrates an ability to collect and synthesize relevant patient data accurately identifying patient status and needs.
• In emergency situations and under appropriate supervision of a Registered Nurse, participates in activities they have demonstrated knowledge and skill in.
• Performs various patient positioning and transporting duties, which require lifting and pushing/pulling, while utilizing proper technique.
• Must be able to demonstrate knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age of the patients served. Must demonstrate knowledge of the principles of growth and development over the life span and possess the ability to assess data reflective of the patient's status and interpret the appropriate information needed to identify each patient's requirements relative to his/her age-specific needs, and to provide the care needed as described in the department's policies and procedures. Age-specific information is developed further in the departmental job standards.

Licensure, Registration, and/or Certification Required:

• None Required.

Education Required:

• Currently enrolled in an accredited or approved program in Nursing.
• Current enrollment in an accredited nursing program.
• Successful completion of a Medical Surgical Clinical
• Successful completion of a Pharmacological Concepts course

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions:

• Must be able to sit, stand, walk, lift, squat, bend, twist, and reach above shoulders during the work shift.
• Must be able to:
• lift up to 50 lbs. from floor to waist.
• lift up to 20 lbs. over the head.
• carry up to 40 lbs. a reasonable distance.
• Must be able to:
• - push/pull with 30 lbs. of force.
• - perform a sliding transfer of 150 lbs. with a second person present.
• Will be required to use foot pedals on carts or machines.
• Must have functional vision and hearing.
• Will be exposed to mechanical, electrical, chemical, and radiation hazards as well as blood and body fluids on a continuous basis; therefore, protective clothing must be worn as necessary.
• Operates all equipment necessary to perform the job.

This job description indicates the general nature and level of work expected of the incumbent. It is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities required of the incumbent. Incumbent may be required to perform other related duties.