Winter Nurse Extern - Adult Psychiatric Inpatient

Nurse Extern Program Winter 2026 / 2027

Temporary Full-time

7 am to 7 pm

Rotating weekends and holidays

Program dates: December 2026 to January 2027

1:1 experienced RN preceptor.

Rotates on all inpatient units; Adult Inpatient, Extended Acute Inpatient and Child Adolescent Inpatient

PA Child Abuse & FBI fingerprint clearances required

Open to senior nursing students

At completion of program, students may have the ability to continue employment in a Behavioral Health Technician OR Extended Nurse Extern capacity by working a minimum of 16 hours per month

General Summary

Provides direct care to patients by performing a variety of duties, including assisting with data collection, provision of care, completion of selected therapeutic interventions, and documentation of care provided for a specified group of patients.

Duties and Responsibilities

Essential Functions:

• Provides information needed by the registered nurse to coordinate the care and discharge planning for the patient and family.
• Provides general nursing care and personal care assistance to patients, including bathing, dressing, eating, changing bed linens and bed pans and positioning.
• Assists in the preparation and transportation of patients for tests, procedures, etc.
• Monitors patient condition levels; reports changes to the appropriate individuals.
• Obtains and documents patient vital signs, including temperature, blood pressure, weight, respiration, pulse, pain, and department-specific requirements.
• Performs selected procedures per Nurse Extern checklist.
• Sets up and removes equipment and supplies; ensures equipment is functioning properly and stored appropriately.
• Performs EKGs and Point-of-Care testing which may include blood glucose, hemoccult and specific gravity testing.
• Runs special errands as required. Responds to light calls.
• Ensures patient rooms, nursing areas, supply carts, etc. are stocked with appropriate items at required levels.
• Maintains par levels of supplies and equipment on assigned unit(s). Notifies supervisor when reorder points are reached.

Common Expectations:

• Demonstrates knowledge of the principles of growth and development over the life span of the assigned patient population. Assesses and interprets patient age specific data and provides appropriate, age specific treatment. Provides direct patient care to assigned patient age group(s).
• Maintains established policies and procedures, objectives, quality assessment, safety, environmental and infection control standards.
• Participates in educational programs and inservice meetings.
• Provides outstanding service to all customers; fosters teamwork; and practices fiscal responsibility through improvement and innovation.

Qualifications

Minimum Education:

• High School Diploma or GED Currently enrolled in an approved Nursing program with completion of two clinical semesters. Required and
• High School Diploma or GED Enrollment in an accredited BSN program Preferred

Licenses:

• Basic Life Support Upon Hire Required

Courses and Training:

• Completion of at least one medical-surgical clinical rotation Upon Hire Required
• Must be passing in an accredited program prior to Winter Externship Program Upon Hire Required

About Us

WellSpan Health's vision is to reimagine healthcare through the delivery of comprehensive, equitable health and wellness solutions throughout our continuum of care. As an integrated delivery system focused on leading in value-based care, we encompass more than 2,300 employed providers, 250 locations, nine award-winning hospitals, home care and a behavioral health organization serving central Pennsylvania and northern Maryland. Our high-performing Medicare Accountable Care Organization (ACO) is the region's largest and one of the best in the nation. With a team 23,000 strong, WellSpan experts provide a range of services, from wellness and employer services solutions to advanced care for complex medical and behavioral conditions. Our clinically integrated network of 3,000 aligned physicians and advanced practice providers is dedicated to providing the highest quality and safety, inspiring our patients and communities to be their healthiest.

About the Team

WellSpan York Hospital Built on a solid 140-year legacy of providing high-quality, high-volume, community-based care, WellSpan York Hospital, the largest of WellSpan's eight hospitals, is a 596-bed acute care community teaching hospital that employs nearly 5,000 people, making WellSpan the largest employer in York County. Driven by a mission to provide exceptional care to all, WellSpan York Hospital serves a diverse population of more than 520,000 residents from the greater York County area. WellSpan York Hospital was one of several WellSpan Health hospitals honored by U.S. News & World Report with the High Performing recognition for 2022-23. The hospital offers services and programs that feature highly skilled clinical staff, life-saving technology and state-of-the-art facilities to address some of the most complex medical, surgical and behavioral health conditions. WellSpan York Hospital's Regional Resource/Level 1 Trauma Center has been accredited by the Pennsylvania Trauma Systems Foundation and is the only accredited trauma center in York, Adams and Franklin counties. It is a nationally recognized teaching hospital with nine residency programs, six allied health schools and other training programs. More than 700 physicians and other professionals are members of WellSpan York Hospital's medical and dental staff. WellSpan York Hospital in embarking on a significant five-year project. The centerpiece will be a new, eight-story surgical and critical care tower, which will dramatically expand the hospital's intensive care unit as well as develop new state of-the-art surgical suites, making it one of the top 10 largest hospitals in Pennsylvania with approximately 600 beds.