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…
"Working one-on-one with an experienced RNs gave me the confidence to apply what I've learned in nursing school while caring for critically ill patients. Every shift brought new learning opportunities, from open-heart surgery recoveries to advance therapies like CRRT and ECMO. My favorite part of the program was the supportive environment. My preceptors and the entire team encouraged me to ask questions, get involved, and make the most of every experience. This internship confirmed that the Cardiothoracic Intensive Care Unit is exactly where I want to begin my nursing career. I'm incredibly grateful for everyone who invested in my growth throughout the summer and made me feel like part of the team."
— Mackenzie M., UPMC Harrisburg, CTICU
"The staff in the ICU is so incredibly welcoming and knowledgeable. I was able to get familiar with the hospitalists and other staff all throughout the hospital, which eased my mind about how life is as a nurse. I was also able to get more familiar with charting and what is required for nurses to do every shift. Doing the internship eased the anxiety that I had about going into my last year of nursing school and was a good way to exercise the material I learned in the first year of nursing school. I would recommend every nursing student to participate in the internship."
— Natalya S., UPMC Chautauqua, ICU/Stepdown
"My experience as a Student Nurse Intern in UPMC Passavant’s Medical/Surgical ICU was incredibly rewarding and gave me valuable insight into what my future career as a nurse will be like. My favorite part of the program was being able to apply the skills I learned in nursing school to real-life, hands-on patient care situations. Working one on one with knowledgeable preceptors for 10 weeks allowed me to build confidence, ask questions, and learn from an experienced critical care nurse. My advice to future SNIs is to apply for this program. It is an excellent way to gain experience, develop clinical skills, and discover the many opportunities available in the nursing profession while helping your career get off on the right foot."
— Luke P., UPMC Passavant, MICU/SICU
"Being a Student Nurse Intern at UPMC was one of the best experiences I've had during nursing school. It gave me the opportunity to build my confidence, strengthen my clinical skills, and learn something new every day from the nurses I worked with. Everyone was so welcoming and supportive, which made me feel comfortable asking questions and growing as a future nurse. This experience reminded me why I chose nursing and made me even more excited to begin my career after graduation. My advice to future Student Nurse Interns is to stay curious, ask questions, and take advantage of every opportunity to learn because the experience goes by faster than you think!"
— Amiya W., UPMC McKeesport, 4M
"This summer in the emergency department at Magee-Women's Hospital gave me countless opportunities to learn and grow as a student nurse intern. Throughout the experience, I was able to perform IV insertions and venipuncture, place Foley catheters, observe and learn about medication administration, and assist with a variety of procedures. One of the most memorable experiences was helping with the delivery of a baby on my last shift in the ER. I also cared for patients experiencing everything from complicated withdrawals to acute injuries, to helping with various women's health concerns, allowing me to see a wide range of emergency cases. Every shift challenged me to improve my clinical skills, think critically, and become more confident in providing patient care. Participating in this internship has strengthened both my technical abilities and my confidence, and it confirmed my passion for nursing. I highly recommend all students participate and take this opportunity to grow!"
— Avery O., UPMC Magee-Womens, Emergency Department
"The PICU at Children's was a fantastic place to be a SNI. Everyone was so supportive and friendly! I was able to learn so much and really got to see what it was like to be a nurse. I got good at performing assessments and learned how to prioritize tasks. There were many patients with complex diagnoses, and I was able to learn not only how we were going to take care of them but also the thought process behind it. By the end of the internship, I was very confident in my ability to provide safe and effective patient care. My biggest piece of advice for future SNIs would be to get comfortable with being uncomfortable; you will learn so much more by putting yourself in unfamiliar situations!"
— Zachary P., UPMC Children's, PICU
"This summer I was an SNI at UPMC Washington’s Magee-Womens Center for Birth and Women’s Health (5E). Most of my time was spent on the postpartum side of the unit I was also able to be a part of the newborn nursery team where I was able to observe births, assist with assessing newborns within seconds of birth, and participate in documenting RAPP scores following the first 2 hours of life. I really felt like a part of the team on 5E, all the nurses welcomed me with open arms and taught me so many new things. You can tell the staff there has a true passion for their patients, as they all consistently go above and beyond to provide great patient care."
— Roxanne P., UPMC Magee-Womens at UPMC Washington, 5E/OB
"My time as a SNI was an amazing experience that helped me grow personally and professionally. Throughout the internship, I was able to build more upon the knowledge that I learned in nursing school. A couple of my favorite parts was being able to be there for an entire 12-hour shift and to see a day to day of what being a nurse is like. Another favorite part of the internship is seeing how the nurses were not only invested in the patients but how they helped each other including the SNIs. My preceptor was amazing and took the time to explain all the skills including the reasoning with every step. It was a very supportive environment! This internship grew my confidence and my critical thinking skills. I am forever grateful for the opportunity!"
— Julia K., UPMC Children's, 7C
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!
