Maybe you're a high school student thinking about a career in healthcare. Or perhaps you're a college student enrolled in a two- or four-year healthcare degree program. Then consider applying for the Summer Health Care Intern Program.
Hands-On Experience
The program, which began in 2003, is supported by the Minnesota Department of Health and administered by a healthcare stakeholder group. In 2007, 128 Minnesota hospitals, medical clinics, nursing facilities, home health agencies, assisted-living residences and physicians participated in the program. They employed students for six to 12 weeks between Memorial Day and Labor Day for at least minimum wage.
Interns observe healthcare professionals at work and get hands-on experience in areas like radiology, occupational therapy, social services, pharmacy, nursing and respiratory therapy. Assignments vary. Students may work in only one department or rotate through different departments.
Working One-On-One
At HealthEast Care System, the program focuses on nursing. Last summer, HealthEast offered internships to 14 students who had completed one year of nursing course work. Many interns were in their early 20s, but others were older "nontraditional" college students.
During the 10-week program, interns are assigned to a unit at one of three HealthEast hospitals. Typical assignments include obstetrics, medical/surgical, oncology, orthopedics and pre- and post-operative care.
Interns develop critical-thinking and assessment skills, which are hard to teach in the classroom. "One of the best ways to learn these skills is to work one-on-one with experienced nurses," says Debra Sullivan, education and development specialist at HealthEast. "The experience interns get on the floor is amazing."
