Registered Nurse Internships
Registered nurse internships give university students, recent graduates, and early-career switchers hands-on clinical and patient-care experience, mentorship from working nurses, and, at many employers, a path toward a full-time offer. Healthcare & Medical Services, Technology & Software, and Human Resources lead in internship volume, with CHRISTUS Health, LifeBridge Health, and AdventHealth Tampa among the employers posting roles now.
Find Registered Nurse InternshipsOverview
Showing 5 of 25+ Registered Nurse Internships











Learn more about the benefits offered for this job.
The estimate displayed represents the typical wage range of candidates hired. Factors that may be used to determine your actual salary may include your specific skills, how many years of experience you have and comparison to other employees already in this role. The typical candidate is hired below midpoint of the range.
Do you want to join an organization that invests in you? At HCA Healthcare, you come first! HCA Healthcare is committed to the growth and development of our future nurses!
The HCA Healthcare OR Residency Program is a year-long program designed to give you hands-on experience to help establish valuable clinical and critical thinking skills. As a Resident II Registered Nurse you will be surrounded by a supportive community of nurse educators, experienced nurses, and fellow residents that promote learning, clinical application, and socialization, shepherding you through the transition from student nurse to registered nurse.
Job Summary and Qualifications
The HCA Healthcare OR Residency Program at HCA Healthcare provides you with the tools necessary to succeed in today’s hospital environment. This paid program will assist you with the transition out of the classroom setting through a formalized series of learning experiences, including:
- Advanced clinical training in a specialty area.
- Monthly educational sessions.
- Preceptorship training with a facility preceptor.
- Measurement and evaluation of skills through hands-on simulations.
- Mentoring from experienced nurse leaders.
- Working collaboratively on an evidence-based practice project.
The RN OR Resident coordinates and delivers high quality, patient-centered care in accordance with the nature and specific requirements of the department, and consistent with the scope and standards of practice for the relevant state and specialty. In collaboration with medical providers and other members of the care team, the RN Resident provides individualized, comprehensive, and compassionate care using established nursing models such as “Assess, Perform, Teach, and Manage.” The RN Resident serves as an advocate for patients, families and caregivers to support an unparalleled patient experience.
What will you do in this role:
- Assess patient condition during admission and during each shift as scheduled, identifying and reporting any changes in patient status.
- Perform procedures, monitoring, or other functions as ordered by the medical provider(s). Document the administration of care in the patient medical record in a timely and thorough manner.
- Perform the administration of prescribed medications. Monitor patient for therapeutic response. Notify provider and intervene as appropriate in the event of an unintended response to medication.
- Perform exceptional care by responding promptly to patient requests. Strive to anticipate patient needs and resolve them proactively.
- Teach patients, families and caregivers about patient medical condition, patient status, treatment plan, medications and possible side effects, and follow-up measures. Translates complex medical terminology to ensure complete understanding.
What qualifications you will need:
- Basic Cardiac Life Support (BLS) obtained within 30 days of employment
- Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) obtained within 1 year of employment
- Other Certifications maybe required during employment
- Associate or Bachelor’s degree in Nursing from an accredited nursing program
- Registered Nurse License or Graduate Nurse in the State
- No previous experience needed
- Some travel maybe needed for training
Benefits
We offer a total rewards package to support your health, life, career and retirement. Some available plans and programs include:
- Comprehensive benefitsfor medical, prescription drug, dental, vision, behavioral health and telemedicine services
- Wellbeingsupport, including free counseling and referral services
- Time away from workprograms for paid time off, paid family leave, long- and short-term disability coverage and leaves of absence
- Savings and retirementresources, including a 401(k) Plan with a 100% match on 3% to 9% of pay (based on years of service), Employee Stock Purchase Plan, flexible spending accounts, preferred banking partnerships, retirement readiness tools, rollover support and financial wellbeing counseling
- Educationsupport through tuition assistance, student loan assistance, certification support, dependent scholarships and a partnership with Galen College of Nursing
- Additional benefitsfor fertility and family building, adoption assistance, life insurance, supplemental health protection plans, auto and home insurance, legal counseling, identity theft protection and consumer discounts
Learn more about Employee Benefits
Note: Eligibility for some benefits may vary by location.
Consider a fulfilling and secure career with Surgery Ventures, in partnership with HCA Healthcare. Our team of over 3,400 physicians manages more than 150 surgery centers across 16 states in the United States. As a dedicated unit within HCA Healthcare, we prioritize providing safe, efficient, and premium surgical services. With over 30 years of pioneering experience in the industry, our physician partners offer exceptional outpatient care to over 800,000 patients in communities across our network. We do so with the backing of the clinical, operational, and financial expertise of a Fortune 100 healthcare leader. At Surgery Ventures, we are committed to supporting your career growth and advancement at every stage.
HCA Healthcare has been recognized as one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies® by the Ethisphere Institute more than ten times. In recent years, HCA Healthcare spent an estimated $3.7 billion in cost for the delivery of charitable care, uninsured discounts, and other uncompensated expenses
"Bricks and mortar do not make a hospital. People do."
- Dr. Thomas Frist, Sr.
Would you like to unlock your potential with a leading healthcare provider dedicated to the growth and development of our colleagues? Join the HCA Healthcare family! We will provide you with the tools and resources you need to succeed in our organization. If you are looking for an opportunity that provides satisfaction and personal growth, we promptly review all applications. Unlock the possibilities and apply today!
We are an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.
Registered Nurse Internship Market
Who's Hiring



Top Industries Hiring
- Healthcare & Medical Services14
- Technology & Software2
- Human Resources1
- Consulting & Professional Services1
Tips for Your Registered Nurse Internship Search
Apply earlier than your classmates do
Large hospital systems and health networks open summer registered nurse internship applications the previous fall, often in September or October. Smaller community hospitals and co-op programs post closer to their start dates. Checking listings regularly from early fall through spring means you won't miss a cohort that closed before you noticed it.
Build proof before your first application
Registered nurse intern recruiters expect limited clinical experience, so give them something concrete to review. Document simulation lab performance, capstone projects, and clinical rotation outcomes with the skills practiced and patient populations involved. A one-page summary of your three strongest clinical experiences travels better than a list of coursework titles alone.
Work your campus network alongside direct applications
Campus career fairs surface structured programs tied to your university, and nursing faculty often know which health systems recruit from your school before roles appear publicly. Pair that intelligence with direct applications to hospitals and clinics running smaller cohorts that don't recruit on campus, so you're reaching the full range of programs open to candidates at your level.
Practice your registered nurse intern interview out loud
Registered nurse intern screens typically involve clinical scenario and behavioral questions, where interviewers assess how you think through patient situations as much as whether you land on the right answer. Practice explaining your reasoning aloud for scenarios involving patient assessment, prioritization, and safety protocols so you're fluent before the actual conversation.
Target structured nurse residency and internship programs first
Large health systems run formal cohort programs built to train people new to clinical practice, including nurse residencies and specialty internship tracks in areas like ICU, pediatrics, and emergency care. These programs recruit on a defined schedule, fill fast, and provide structured mentorship that smaller placements rarely match. Identify the programs that fit your target specialty and apply in the first wave.
Set your work-type filter before you start searching
On-site roles are 80% of the registered nurse internships listed here. Before you search, decide whether you can commit to a specific location or need flexibility, then filter by work type and geography so you're only reviewing roles you can actually accept. Sorting through listings you can't take wastes application time during a competitive recruiting window.
Registered Nurse Internships: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a registered nurse internship?
Lead with your coursework and clinical simulations rather than work history, since hiring teams expect limited real-world experience at the intern level. A documented skills portfolio showing patient assessment practice, simulation lab performance, or relevant coursework projects gives recruiters something concrete to evaluate. Combine direct applications with campus career fairs, where nurse recruiters often move faster for students they meet in person.
Can a registered nurse internship turn into a full-time job?
Many employers extend return offers to strong interns, but conversion is never guaranteed. What actually drives it for registered nurse interns is consistent clinical performance, positive feedback from supervising nurses, and whether the unit or department has open headcount when the program ends. Position yourself by treating every shift as an audition without counting on an offer before it's made.
When should I apply for registered nurse internships?
Earlier than most nursing students expect. Large hospital systems and health networks recruit summer intern cohorts the preceding fall, sometimes as early as September or October. Smaller community hospitals and co-op programs post closer to their start dates, so openings appear year-round. Checking listings consistently and applying as soon as a role opens puts you ahead of candidates who wait.
Are registered nurse internships paid?
Most professional registered nurse internships in the United States are paid. Compensation varies by employer size, health system, and location, and listings show the pay range where the employer chooses to disclose it. Structured nurse residency and internship programs at large health systems tend to offer more competitive rates than smaller community settings.
What should a registered nurse internship resume include?
Lead with clinical projects and simulation lab experience rather than unrelated work history. Document two or three complete clinical rotations or capstone projects, naming the skills practiced and the patient populations involved. Add relevant coursework like pharmacology, pathophysiology, and health assessment. Keep everything to one page, since hiring teams at intern level scan quickly and reward clarity over volume.
Are there remote registered nurse internships?
Yes. Remote and hybrid roles make up 20% of the registered nurse internship listings here, with the rest on-site. These tend to concentrate in health informatics, telehealth coordination, and clinical data roles rather than bedside care. Remote cohorts fill fast, so apply early and filter by work type to see current openings before they close.
What is a nurse residency program and how is it different from an internship?
A nurse residency is a structured, paid transition program designed for new nursing graduates, typically lasting six months to one year, that combines supervised clinical practice with formal education in a specialty area. It targets people who have just passed NCLEX and are entering practice for the first time. Residencies are competitive and recruit on a defined cohort schedule, so applying in the first posting wave matters.
Can international students get registered nurse internships?
Yes. F-1 students can intern through CPT while enrolled or through OPT work authorization after finishing a degree, and the employer does not have to file anything for either, so many companies are open to international interns. Confirm your eligibility and timing with your university's international student office before accepting an offer.
See All 25 Registered Nurse Internship Jobs
Find roles that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Registered Nurse Internships