Nurse Intern | Summer 2027

Gundersen Health System; La Crosse (WI); On-site; USD 25,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

Gundersen Health System in La Crosse, Wisconsin is launching the Summer 2027 Nurse Internship – a 47th annual program. This paid 10‑week summer experience provides hands‑on patient care, clinical judgment, and opportunities to shadow multiple nursing areas.

You’ll work alongside seasoned nurses, gain confidence, and explore where you want to practice after graduation. Strong candidate readiness and 60 hours/2 weeks are required.

Qualifications

• Be on track to graduate from an associate or bachelor’s nursing program by December 2027 or May 2028.
• Hold at least one of CNA, EMT-B, EMT-P, or LPN licenses.
• Have a current Infant-Adult BLS certification with hands-on training.
• Be available to work 60 hours per two-week pay period across all shifts.

Responsibilities

• Work alongside experienced nurses to gain hands-on patient care experience.
• Develop clinical judgment, interdisciplinary communication and critical thinking.
• Explore different areas of nursing through observation and shadowing opportunities.
• Position offers potential continued employment after graduation.

Skills

Clinical skills

Patient care

Critical thinking

Interdisciplinary comms

Education

Nursing student (assoc or BS)

Tools

BLS certification

Job description

Summer 2027 Nurse Internship – 47th Annual Program

Program Dates:

May 24 - August 1, 2027

Location:

Main Campus | La Crosse, WI

Scheduled Weekly Hours:

30

FTE:

0.75; 60 hours per two weeks

Program Overview

For 47 years, Emplify Health by Gundersen’s Nurse Internship Program has helped nursing students bridge the gap between the classroom and professional nursing practice. This paid, 10-week summer experience is designed to build confidence, strengthen clinical skills, and provide meaningful exposure to the realities of the nursing profession.

As a Nurse Intern, you will work alongside experienced nurses and healthcare professionals while gaining hands‑on experience in patient care, clinical judgment, interdisciplinary communication, and critical thinking. Interns are immersed within one clinical area while also exploring other areas of nursing through observation and shadowing opportunities.

Whether you’re building on your first clinical experiences or preparing for your final year of nursing school, this internship is designed to meet you where you are and help you grow into the nurse you aspire to become. For many students, this internship is more than a summer experience. It’s an opportunity to discover what type of nurse you want to become, explore different areas of practice, and build relationships that can continue long after graduation.

Bonus: Exceptional interns may be considered for continued employment opportunities and future RN positions following graduation.

Eligibility Requirements

• Be on track to graduate from an associate or baccalaureate nursing program by December 2027 or May 2028
• Hold at least one of the following active certifications/licenses:
  • Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)
  • Emergency Medical Technician – Basic (EMT-B)
  • Emergency Medical Technician – Paramedic (EMT-P)
  • Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)
• Have a current Infant-Adult Basic Life Support (BLS) certification from the American Heart Association or Red Cross (must include hands‑on training)
• Be available to work 60 hours per two-week pay period, across all shifts (days, PMs, nights), including weekends and holidays. Students must be able to complete the full duration of the internship.

Key Dates

• Application Opens: October 12, 2026
• Application Deadline: December 1, 2026
• On-Demand Video Interviews Due: December 15, 2026 (via Interview Stream)
• Offers Extended: February 2027

Internship Placement Areas

Medical/Surgical Hospital & Intermediate Care (IMC)*

• Cardiopulmonary Unit*
• General Medical Unit*
• Medical Oncology Unit*
• Neuroscience Unit*
• Surgical & Digestive Care Unit*
• Orthopedic Unit
• Heritage Medical‑Surgical Unit
• Medical Psychiatric Unit
• Inpatient Rehabilitation Unit
• Hospital Float Pool

Critical & Emergency Care

• Intensive Care Unit (ICU)
• Emergency Services

Maternal & Pediatric Care

• Obstetrics & Nursery
• Labor & Delivery
• Pediatric Unit/Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU)
• Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU)

Specialty Care

• Inpatient Behavioral Health

Procedural Care

• Surgery/Operating Room

Ambulatory Care

• Outpatient Clinic

Questions?

Our Recruitment Services team is here to support you. Reach out anytime:

• Phone: [phone]
• Email: [e-mail]
• Sign up for a time to chat with a Nurse Recruiter

Emplify Health, a partnership of Bellin Health and Gundersen Health System, is a leading not‑for‑profit, patient‑centered healthcare network based in Green Bay and La Crosse, Wisconsin. With 11 hospitals and over 100 clinics, we serve 67 cities across Wisconsin, Iowa, Minnesota, and Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. Join us in making a meaningful difference in the lives of our patients and communities.

Equal Opportunity Employer

If you need assistance with any portion of the application or have questions about the position, please contact [e-mail] or call 608-775-0267.

We inspire your best life by relentlessly caring, learning and innovating. This is our purpose. Together with our values — belonging, respect, excellence, accountability, teamwork and humility — our pillars set our foundation and our future.

Equal Opportunity Employer