What are the responsibilities and job description for the Student Nurse Intern position at Prairie Lakes Healthcare System?
Student Nurse Internship
Workplace Details
Join our team and see why Prairie Lakes Healthcare System continues to be named a Top Rural and Community Hospital year after year. Be a part of our mission to make a positive difference in the health of the patients and communities we serve by delivering accessible, high-quality, affordable, and compassionate healthcare. Prairie Lakes Healthcare System is an independent, non-profit rural healthcare system serving 10 counties in northeastern South Dakota and west-central Minnesota.
Job Summary
Where you begin your nursing journey greatly affects where that journey takes you.
As a nursing student, you can start your journey to a fulfilling career in healthcare! Our Student Nurse Internship Program is designed to offer 1:1 clinical training with experienced healthcare professionals while creating a pathway for student nurses to gain experience in inpatient and specialty areas.
Prairie Lakes Healthcare System is licensed to operate 81 acute care hospital beds including Labor and Delivery, Telemetry, Critical Care, and general hospital. Hospital services also include a 24-hour emergency department, surgery capabilities, Interventional Cardiology, and services providing diagnostics and imaging services.
Prairie Lakes Healthcare System also operates Prairie Lakes Cancer Center, Prairie Lakes Mallard Pointe Surgical Center, dialysis units in Sisseton, SD, Watertown, SD and Ortonville, MN, rehabilitation services, and specialty services. Specialty services are a focus of PLHS to bring needed care to the region. These specialties include Cardiology, Dermatology, Ear, Nose & Throat, General Surgery, Hospice, Home Care, Nephrology, Orthopedics, Pulmonology, Urology, and Wound Care. With the recent acquisition of Brown Clinic in Watertown, our services now include Primary Care, bringing a comprehensive continuum of care to the community we serve.
This program will focus on the utilization of the nursing process to meet the bio/psycho/social needs of the patient with real or potential life-threatening health problems. It is a unique experience that allows nursing students to function in a nursing role in a supportive learning environment.
You’ll help provide remarkable care alongside an RN preceptor during our twelve-week immersion experience. This opportunity will enhance your clinical knowledge and provide valuable direct patient care experience. An experienced nurse will provide mentoring in your assigned clinical area. Each student nurse intern will have their own preceptor.
Student Nurse Interns will be provided with a badge for identification. They will also introduce themselves to their patients as Nurse Intern.
We will offer internships in the following areas: Critical Care Unit, Maternal Child Health, Medical/Surgical/Pediatrics and Emergency Room.
This is a 12 week, 240 hour paid internship.
Student Nurse Interns will need to be available for all shifts as your schedule will mirror your RN preceptor's schedule.
Application Eligibility Requirements
The student nurse intern must:
Be currently enrolled in an accredited nursing program;
Have completed junior level clinical requirements through their nursing program;
Have an expected graduation date of Winter 2025, Spring 2026 or Winter 2026;
Have an overall GPA of 3.0 or higher;
Submit a resume, unofficial transcript, and 2 letters of recommendation (1 from program instructor);
Submit a goal statement:
- The goal statement is an essay that includes one of the following components:
- Share 2 specific goals that you have for yourself if you are selected for this program;
- Describe how your previous clinical and work experience has prepared you for this program;
- Prairie Lakes Healthcare System is committed to becoming more diverse and inclusive as a healthcare provider and workplace. How would you contribute to this as a nurse intern?
