Nurse Extern | Pediatric ICU

Atrium Health; Macon (GA); On-site; USD 22,000 - 33,000; Full time

Job summary

Atrium Health is seeking a Nurse Extern to support registered nurses in delivering safe, high‑quality patient care. The role involves supervised hands‑on practice, assisting with ADLs, vitals, documentation, and patient throughput under RN guidance.

You must be actively enrolled in an accredited nursing program and in good academic standing, with foundational nursing coursework completed. The externship emphasizes infection control, patient safety, and teamwork within a hospital setting.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Active enrollment in an accredited nursing program in good standing.
• Maintain a minimum 2.5 GPA (weighted 4.0 scale).
• Must have completed foundational nursing coursework to participate in supervised clinical practice.

Responsibilities

• Assist with activities of daily living (ADLs) while maintaining dignity and safety.
• Support mobility and hygiene needs under RN direction.
• Record routine clinical measurements and report abnormalities.
• Assist with nutrition, feeding, and monitoring diet tolerance.
• Maintain infection prevention standards and a safe patient environment.
• Observe changes in patient condition and report promptly to the RN.
• Reinforce patient and family education and assist with tests or procedures as directed.
• Provide clerical support and basic EMR data entry.
• Manage unit supplies and ensure equipment cleanliness and functioning.
• Perform competency-validated skills (e.g., 12-lead ECG, venipuncture) under RN supervision.

Skills

Nursing fundamentals

Clinical skills under RN supervision

Academic standing maintenance

Education

High school diploma or GED

Active enrollment in accredited nursing program

GPA minimum 2.5 (weighted 4.0 scale)

Foundational nursing coursework completion

Job description

Under the direct supervision of the Registered Nurse (RN), the Nurse Extern is responsible for demonstrating competency in foundational and progressively developing patient care skills, performing only those delegated tasks that align with their education, validated competencies, and organizational policy. The extern supports the RN in delivering safe, high-quality, age‑appropriate care and contributes to patient throughput by assisting with transport, admissions, discharges, and other workflow activities as assigned.

Major Responsibilities

• Supports patients with activities of daily living (ADLs) assists with bathing, grooming, toileting, dressing, and other essential personal care needs while maintaining dignity, comfort, and safety.
• Assists patients with mobility and hygiene needs — repositions, transfers, ambulates, and utilizes assistive devices in accordance with established procedures and RN direction.
• Obtains and documents routine clinical measurements — records vital signs, height, weight, and intake/output accurately, and promptly reports abnormalities or notable changes to the RN.
• Supports patient nutrition and hydration — assists with feeding, meal setup, and monitoring diet tolerance in alignment with prescribed diet orders, safety precautions, and RN guidance.
• Maintains a clean and safe patient environment — ensures patient rooms, equipment, and common areas meet infection prevention standards and remain free from hazards.
• Observes and communicates changes in patient condition — identifies physical, emotional, or behavioral variations and provides timely, factual reports to the RN to support clinical decision‑making.
• Reinforces patient and family education and orientation — reviews safety measures, explains unit routines, and assists in preparing patients for tests or procedures as directed by the RN.
• Performs clerical and administrative support functions — answers phones, enters basic information into the electronic medical record, retrieves supplies, and supports communication flow on the unit.
• Manages patient‑care supplies and equipment — stocks inventory, ensures materials are available, and maintains cleanliness and proper functioning of designated equipment.
• Performs competency‑validated technical skills — conducts tasks such as 12‑lead electrocardiograms, routine venipuncture, and specimen collection, as permitted by organizational policy and Georgia practice guidelines, strictly under RN supervision and only after documented competency validation.

Minimum Job Requirements

Education

• High school diploma or General Educational Development (GED)required.
• The individual must be actively enrolled inaRecognized Accredited Nursing Programand remain in good academic standing. Mustmaintaina minimum 2.5 Grade Point Average (GPA), calculated on a weighted 4.0 scale.
• This requirement applies to all coursework and includes consideration for advanced classes (e.g., Honors, AP, IB) whereadditionalweight is assigned. Equivalent academic performance under other recognized grading systems (such as percentage-based or quality point systems) will also be accepted, provided it meets the same standard prior to application and throughout employment.
• The individual must have successfully completed the foundational nursing coursework required toparticipatesafely in supervised clinical practice and perform the responsibilities of the Nurse Extern role.Examples of such coursework mayinclude butare not limited toa curriculum-based instructionalcomponentdelivered by the School of Nursing that provides instruction in basic patientcare procedures, safety and infection control standards, therapeutic communication, documentation fundamentals, and the core principles of professional nursing practice.
• Foundational coursework is expected to include but is not limited to:Foundations of Professional Nursing, Physical Assessment and Health, Fundamental Principles and Skills, and Pathophysiology/Pharmacology, or equivalent courses as defined by the accredited nursing program and verified during the organizational onboarding process.
• Verification of completion oranticipatedcompletion of required foundational nursing coursework prior to the onboarding date must be confirmed through acceptable documentation.
• Acceptable verification may include but is not limitedtoofficial or unofficial academic transcripts, written confirmation from the School of Nursing, progression letters, orother formal academic documentation, such as program enrollment verification or competency summaries.
• If official transcripts cannot be provided, acceptable alternative documentation may be approved by any of the following: the Nurse Director, the Nursing Education Department, or the Human Resources Business Partner (HRBP).

Defining Criteria for Recognized Accredited Nursing Programs:

• Associate-level nursing degree variations mayinclude butare not limited to:Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN), Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN), Associate of Applied Science in Nursing (AASN or AAS-N), Associate of Arts in Nursing (AAN), or an equivalent credential as defined by the accredited nursing program.

OR

• Bachelor-level nursing degree variations mayinclude, butare not limited to:Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN), RN-to-BSN programs, Bachelor of Nursing (BN), or Bachelor of Science with a Major in Nursing, or an equivalent credential as defined by the accredited nursing program.

Certification / Registration / License

• Noadditionalcertifications, registrations, or licensesrequiredbeyond enrollment and good standing in an accredited nursing program.

Experience

• Ability to complete all required orientation, training, and competency validation programs upon hire, including any Registered Nurse (RN)-supported instruction for designated skills and procedures.

Knowledge / Skills / Abilities

• Demonstrated competency in thebasic fundamentalsof nursing asacquiredthrough accredited nursing coursework.
• Ability to perform approved clinical skills and procedures following RN-precepted training and documented competency validation.
• Ability tomaintainacademic performance standardsrequiredfor continued good standing in the nursing program.

Physical Requirements And Working Conditions

• This role requires the ability to perform the essential physical functions associated with direct patient care. The individual must be able to stand and walk for prolonged periods andfrequentlybend, reach, squat, kneel, and move between positions efficiently to meet clinical workflow demands. The position requires sufficient strength and mobility toassistwith patient transfers, repositioning, and the movement of equipment or supplies whilemaintainingproper body mechanics. Lifting, carrying, pushing, or pulling tasks may range from light to moderately heavy as defined by the organizational job class evaluation, and reasonable accommodations may be madein accordance withapplicable law.
• The individual mustpossessadequate near and far visual acuity, hearing, fine motor coordination, and tactile sensitivity necessary to safelyobservepatients, recognize alarms and call signals, handle equipment, and perform assigned clinical support activities. The role requires the ability to respond promptly and appropriately to changes in patient condition, prioritize multiple tasks, and remain composed and effective in high-stress or emergency situations. Extended use of personal protective equipment (PPE), including masks, gloves, and gowns, may berequiredto ensure safety in the performance of job duties.
• Work is performed in a clinical environment where the individual may be exposed to blood, bodily fluids, communicable diseases, noxious odors, high noise levels, and frequent interruptions. The individual must be able to function safely and effectively under these conditions whilemaintainingprofessional behavior. Organizational requirements may include successful completion of role-specific physical evaluations—such as POPE assessments or cardiac recovery testing—if applicable to the designated job class where such evaluations are job-related and consistent with business necessity. Flexibility in work hours, including the ability to work weekends, holidays, or varied shifts, may berequiredto support patient care operations. All duties must be performed in a manner consistent with organizational policy, safety standards, and applicable regulatory guidelines.

Preferred Job Requirements

• Completion of additional nursing coursework beyond foundational requirements.

Preferred Experience

• Previousexperience in healthcare, patient care, or customer service setting preferred.

Preferred Certification / Registration / License

• Basic Life Support (BLS) certification through the American Heart Association preferred

Preferred Knowledge / Skills / Abilities

• Familiarity with electronic medical record (EMR) systems.
• Strong communicationand interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast‑paced, team-oriented environment.
• Demonstrated interest in developing clinical skills within a hospital or acute care setting.

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.