Summer 2025 Nurse Student Externship / Nursing Practicum Program

The George Washington University Hospital is now accepting applications for the 2025 Summer Nurse Student Externship / Nursing Practicum Program!

Program Overview

This highly competitive, paid externship program is designed to enrich your academic and clinical experience while preparing you for a professional nursing career.

• Program Dates:
  • May 19, 2025 - August 2, 2025

• During the program, you will:
  • Gain hands-on experience providing direct patient care under the supervision of registered nurses.
  • Work across various specialty areas (availability subject to department needs).
  • Partner with an experienced RN mentor to enhance your critical thinking skills and build confidence in a clinical setting.
  • Receive support from Nurse Educators to meet your learning goals.
    
  • Educational opportunities and shadow days will be incorporated into your schedule.
  • Positive evaluations may lead to an offer for a Graduate Nurse/Clinical Nurse position upon successful completion of your nursing program.

• Schedule:
  • Externs work 36-40 hours per week, with rotating shifts (including nights, weekends, and holidays).

Primary Responsibilities

• Assist the Registered Nurse (RN) in delivering direct patient care.
• Provide support with patient teaching, transport, and routine procedures.
• Collect and document patient information (e.g., vital signs, intake/output, basic assessments).
• Perform and assist with activities of daily living, ambulation, and rehabilitation.
• Execute basic clinical procedures (e.g., ostomy care, IV insertion, wound care, 12-lead EKGs).
• Contribute to maintaining patient privacy and confidentiality.
• Support patient transfers, discharges, and care planning under RN guidance.
• Demonstrate effective communication and collaboration with the healthcare team.
• Adhere to hospital policies, quality standards, and safety protocols.

Eligibility Requirements

• Currently enrolled in an accredited nursing program.
• Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 (out of 4.0).
• BSN student who has completed junior year clinicals (previous nursing assistant experience preferred).
• Available for full-time summer employment with rotating shifts.
• BLS

THE GEORGE WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL DESIGNATED A 'BEST REGIONAL HOSPITAL' BY U.S. NEWS & WORLD REPORT

Washington, D.C. - July 16, 2024 - The George Washington University Hospital (GW Hospital) continues to be a leader in providing the highest level of quality and compassionate healthcare for the D.C. Region. U.S. News & World Report has just released the 2024-2025 ratings and rankings, in which GW Hospital is recognized as a Best Regional Hospital. GW Hospital ranks 4th in the region, which includes hospitals in D.C. and parts of Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia.

GW Hospital achieved "high performing" status in six specialty areas: Neurology and Neurosurgery; Orthopedics and Lung Surgery; Gastroenterology and Gastrointestinal Surgery; Urology and Geriatrics, along with receiving "high performing" designations for the following eight common procedures and condition areas: Heart Failure; Heart Attack; Kidney Failure; Leukemia, Lymphoma, and Myeloma; Prostate Cancer Surgery; Stroke; Hip Fracture; and Diabetes.

Additionally, in 2024, GW Hospital received the American College of Cardiology's National Cardiovascular Data Registry (NCDR) Platinum Performance Achievement Award.

U.S. News and World Report named GW Hospital as a High Performing Hospital for Maternity Care (Uncomplicated Pregnancies) in 2024. This designation means that GW Hospital provides a high standard of care for patients with uncomplicated pregnancies. This designation is the highest award a hospital can earn for U.S. News' Best Hospitals for Maternity Care.

"We are thrilled that GW Hospital's commitment to providing the highest quality of care for patients has again been recognized by U.S. News & World Report," says Kimberly Russo, Chief Executive Officer of The George Washington University Hospital and UHS Group Vice President of the Washington, D.C. Region. "As an academic medical center, our multidisciplinary care teams are dedicated to outstanding clinical excellence, research, and education in order to achieve the best possible outcomes for our patients. This recognition by U.S. News & World Report, which places us within the top hospitals in the region, is a testament to the range of advanced services we offer and the expertise, specialized skills, and commitment of our entire care team. GW Hospital is dedicated to elevating healthcare in our community, across Washington, D.C., and the greater DMV area."

To be ranked as a Best Regional Hospital, a hospital or healthcare system has to outperform its peers in procedures and conditions that U.S. News & World Report evaluates, including risk-adjusted survival, patient experience, level of nursing care, and successfully returning patients home following discharge. The annual Best Hospitals rankings and ratings assist patients and their doctors in making informed healthcare decisions.

About Universal Health Services (UHS)

Universal Health Services, Inc. (UHS) is one of the nation's largest and most respected providers of hospital and healthcare services. UHS has built an impressive record of achievement and performance. During the years, UHS was again recognized as one of the World's Most Admired Companies by Fortune; and listed in Forbes ranking of America's Largest Public Companies. Operating acute care hospitals, behavioral health facilities, outpatient facilities, and ambulatory care centers in 37 U.S. states, Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico, and the United Kingdom, UHS subsidiaries employ over 90,000 people. For additional information on the company, visit our web page: uhs.com.