Each year local student nurses get out of the classroom and onto the floor through the nurse externship program at Johns Hopkins Howard County Medical Center (JHHCMC). Students in the program work PRN during their final year of nursing school and receive wages for supporting registered nurses in an assistant caregiver capacity. After a four-week orientation, they work independently gaining invaluable hands-on experience that helps them take a big step forward in their careers. 

Jane Scanlon, BSN, RN, CCRN-K, who helped lead the 2023 extern cohort, says, “This program provides a wonderful opportunity to get students into our hospital and to learn about what we have to offer.”  

One of the major benefits of the externship program is that it gives student nurses the chance to learn what it’s really like to be a nurse and explore their interests. “They get assigned to a unit, but we give them opportunities to rotate through other areas,” says Jane. “It helps them develop their likes and dislikes. They also can explore other health care disciplines through interdisciplinary shadow days.”   

The externs play an active role in the hospital while they complete their program. “In addition to learning about the organization and building relationships with mentors, students develop the critical-thinking skills necessary for success on the NCLEX and beyond during exclusive monthly educational lunch and learns. These classes give externs an opportunity to review NCLEX preparation case studies under the guidance of a nursing professional development specialist. During these sessions externs also hear from guest speakers on topics they select on nurse extern interest forms.   

Jane hopes that the program helps nursing students see a future at JHHCMC. “We talk a lot about our Nurse Residency Program during the externship,” she says. “It’s our hope that their experiences as externs make them want to find a permanent place on our team.”