Student nurses have a wealth of classroom education, but the wait to get hands-on experience can sometimes feel endless. That’s why UPMC is proud to offer a 10-week Student Nurse Internship (SNI) program that provides soon-to-be graduate nurses with firsthand experience in a dynamic and engaging atmosphere. Each of our SNIs has a preceptor to empower them through their first ventures in patient care and guide their continued education. Don’t just take our word for it, hear from some of our interns about their experience…
"Before starting the Student Nurse Internship, I was nervous, yet excited. I was not 100% sure of what to expect during my first day working one-on-one with a nurse. When I got to the unit, I immediately felt so welcomed by all the nurses and other staff. The nurse I followed for my first two weeks was so incredibly kind and taught me so many things that I will take with me into the rest of my schooling and once I am an RN. I will never forget this experience and how it has helped shape me into the nurse I want to be."
— Alivia C., UPMC Magee, 4100 Orthopedics
"I learned so much from my SNI at UPMC Presbyterian on the Abdominal transplant floor. All the staff were so welcoming and eager to help me learn, grow, and show me so many of their nursing habits on my path to becoming a nurse. I got to meet a new patient population on my floor, but additionally I saw so many other aspects and units I was interested in with my shadowing opportunities. My picture is from one of the days I was able to shadow a specialty in the OR, which was one of my absolute favorite memories of the internship! My biggest tip of advice to all students and future SNI’s would be to see as much as you can, take every opportunity that is in front of you, and meet as many people as you possibly can you never know who you might work with someday! Finally, if you participate in the student nurse internship, be sure to make the most of the program, what you put into it is what you will get out of it!"
— Max Y., UPMC Presbyterian, Transplant Surgery Service Line
"First, the care starts in the triage room, the triage nurse collects the information from the patient and does the first assessment and vital signs. Next, the surge nurse draws blood, and EKG, depending on what the patient complains about and what is going on. When a room is available, my preceptor and I call the patient to bring them to their assigned room. We greet the patient and ask them what brought them into the ER to get more detailed information, do an assessment, take vital signs, administer medications, and obtain lab samples. Some patients need CAT scans, whenever they are ready for our patient we take them there so they can do the scan that’s needed. Then we wait till all results come back and the doctor will talk to the patient a make a final decision, if the patient needs to be admitted then we request a room on the floor and give a report to the nurse on the floor that the patient will be admitted on. Or if it is discharged, I do the education needed and hand them the printed papers for more information. I enjoyed my SNI program, which helped me improve my communication skills when talking to patients, their families, or even the doctors. It also allowed me to practice many skills I did not get to do in school."
— Nene B., UPMC St. Margaret, ED
"For me, the highlight of the SNI program were the shadow opportunities that were offered. They gave me a chance to learn new things that were not part of my floor’s routine. My two shadow experiences were in the CTICU and the Trauma ICU, which were my top two choices. We were paired with a nurse for eight hours, and it was a great chance to get a feel for the unit and ask questions! I got to see and learn how to manage ECMO, propofol drips, ventilators, dialysis, and so much more! Shadowing on those units helped me narrow down the type of nurse that I want to be and gave me exposure to some things I’ll be learning about in my last year of nursing school."
— Anthony H., UPMC Presbyterian, Transplant Surgery Service Line
"I have gained so much from being a student nurse intern at Shadyside Hospital this summer. Coming into this program I was not confident in a hospital setting and that is one of the biggest things I have gained this summer being an SNI! I got to experience days in the life as a nurse while learning many skills, assessing, practicing inter-team communication, and time management. One of my favorite parts about this summer was doing observation days in so many different areas of the hospital. Everyone I met on this journey has been so impactful and helpful and I am grateful to have made connections with them. Overall, being an SNI is something I wouldn't trade because of everything that I gained from it!"
—Abby L., UPMC Shadyside, 4 Main
"The SNI Program was the highlight of my summer! I was extremely nervous heading into the ICU at UPMC Carlisle, but once I met with my preceptor and realized how much she was there for me, all the nerves just washed away. Everyone in the unit welcomed me with open arms, and gave me so many opportunities to learn new skills, but also to refresh and instill the previous learned skills. I loved getting to work with a diverse population of patients ranging from med-surg overflow, intubated patients, and even those on comfort measures only. I highly recommend a student nurse internship with UPMC to all nursing students!"
— Destini B., UPMC Carlisle, ICU
"The SNI program I participated in at UPMC Western Maryland was truly unlike anything I have experienced in any clinical site or previous employment positions I have held for so many reasons. For one, the labor and delivery as well as the post-partum/special care nursery nurses putting up with my incessant questions and taught me how to be an empathetic teammate and patient centered nurse. Additionally, they guided me in so many ways; from simple things like showing me how to hang an IV bag or start an IV, to bigger challenges with difficult societal encounters. They were patient with me when I didn’t know how to handle situations I have never been faced with and supported me through them as well as explained things I might not have considered. The unit nurses were understanding rather than judgmental when I didn’t know something that might seem elementary due to my lack of medical field experience. They made me feel like I was part of the family- part of the team, especially in front of the patients. The ten weeks I spent as a Student Nurse Intern (SNI) has absolutely changed me, especially due to the compassionate care and dedication to teammates that I witnessed. One thing that really stuck out to me was how the labor and delivery staff worked together like a family, not just a hospital unit. The nurses I was privileged to work with this summer are models for how society should work- together amidst complications. I am so grateful they let me be a part of their world during the time I spent with them. I hope to be able to bring some of what I witnessed in my experience to my graduate nurse position, as well as just in everyday life."
— Catie M., UPMC Western Maryland, L&D
"My time spent at UPMC Presbyterian in the Transplant ICU was the best way to set myself up for success. I learned more in these ten weeks of my internship than I have in all of nursing school. I got hands-on experience with patients, learned about equipment and medications that were new to me, and learned what it would be like to work a typical nursing schedule. This internship has given me the skills and confidence to become a nurse that I was lacking prior. I am grateful for the welcoming staff that let me gain experience with unique cases and tasks that I have not worked with previously. Overall, my time at UPMC has been nothing short of transformative and I am excited to use what I have learned in this next year of nursing school."
— Kadiya L., UPMC Presbyterian, 4G TICU
More quotes from our Student Nurse Interns
All junior-level or equivalent nursing students are invited to apply to this 10-week, paid program. You’ll have an opportunity to work up to 40 hours each week on a unit in a variety of clinical settings. Our trained preceptors will provide one-on-one guidance, and the program includes shadow opportunities so you can explore your specialties of interest. Build your confidence as a nurse – apply to the SNI program today!
