If you’re a high school junior or senior and you already know you want a career in the medical field, signing up for an internship is always a smart idea. Many of these programs take place during the summer months, so they won’t interfere with your school year. Best of all, they give you a good taste of what your future career might entail, even providing you with some valuable hands-on experience in the meantime. The 23 below nurse internships for high school students are perfect for introducing you to a medical career and bolstering an impressive resume (particularly for those interested in future health care careers).
What You Should Know about Medical Internships
If you’re not sure what medical internships are all about, you’re not alone. These internships can be paid or unpaid, but many of them are essentially volunteer opportunities that also align with preparation for your career goals. Some of the things you’ll be doing include:
- Meeting other aspiring medical people
- Gaining first-hand experience in the field of medicine
- Shadowing a professional medical person
- Learning basic medical skills
- Learning about several different departments in the hospital or clinic
The best part of the entire program is the fact that you can learn about the nitty-gritty, day-to-day tasks that doctors or nurses and other healthcare professionals must deal with every day they come to work. You are placed in a real clinical setting and therefore see various procedures first-hand, such as taking patients’ blood pressure, checking their heart rates, and many others. Depending on the facility you are placed in, you likely won’t be able to participate in these activities yourself (unless you are already certified), but it’s very likely you will be exposed to all of them before you’re done.
Keep in mind that there are two types of interns. One is a medical intern, who is someone who has already completed part of their medical school training and is working under the guidance of a more experienced physician. The second is a high school intern, which may or may not be a paid position and which is designed to introduce young people to the area of medicine they’re most interested in, regardless of what that area is (from injury prevention to chronic disease, critical care, data analysis, environmental health, emergency room procedures, and more).
High school internships can take place in a university, hospital, clinic, or any other type of medical facility. Some of these internships will pay you, while others do not. Once you find one you’re interested in, always make sure you learn exactly what they need with your application and when the deadline is. In fact, this is especially important because many internships require that you live in a certain area, so you can’t always apply to out-of-state programs.
It isn’t always easy finding the right internship, but that’s what this article is here to help you do. If you’re specifically interested in a nursing internship, below are some of the best ones to consider.
Best Internships for High School Students
1. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) – Atlanta, GA
These internships take place at two different times, with each consisting of a five-day workshop. The dates are June 26–30 and July 24–28. If you’re interested in learning more about public health interventions, this is the camp to consider. The application deadline, meaning the date your application has to be mailed by, is March 31, 2023, and emails will be sent on May 8 informing applicants who got accepted and who didn’t. Keep in mind that no part of the application can be emailed—everything must be sent by snail mail.
You have to be 16 years of age by the first day of camp, and only thirty slots are available for each camp, so these are very competitive internships. The sessions include the re-creation of certain diseases, mock press conferences, lab sessions, and even a little about public health law, among other things.
2. Summer Child Health Research Internship – Aurora, CO
This internship is held at the Children’s Hospital Colorado and takes place from June 5 through August 4 at the University of Colorado. You have to apply by February 1, and the program itself lasts for nine weeks. The internship is only open to Colorado residents, and they get a stipend of $3,500. A weekly research meeting will be held every Friday, which all interns are expected to attend, and at the end of the session, you’ll be expected to provide a two- to three-page written summary of your experience.
The internship is sponsored by the Department of Pediatrics at the hospital, and if you’re particularly interested in medical research, this is definitely one internship to consider. People who are considering being a pediatrician one day will find this internship especially beneficial.
3. Summer Medical Academy (Rady Children’s Hospital) – San Diego, CA
If you’ve completed ninth grade and you’ll be 15–19 years old by June, you can qualify for this internship, which operates like a medical immersion summer academy. There are two sessions of the academy offered: June 19–30 and July 10–21. Your application is due by February 24, and the cost of the academy is $2,800. Some of the things they look for when deciding who is able to attend include participation in extracurricular activities and scholastic achievement. If you reside close to the hospital, you’ll be given preference over other students.
The two-week program includes lots of practical experience, excellent networking possibilities, and the chance to learn from experts about various topics in medicine. The cost is reasonable, and while the process to get in is a little competitive, you should find it well worth it in the end.
4. Medical Immersion Science Academy (MISA) – Oakland, CA
Applications for this academy opened on January 16, and it involves three main learning areas. The first is a hands-on clinical experience, where you learn about sutures, EKGs, and taking a patient’s vital signs, among other things. The second is the chance to become certified in areas such as CPR, Stop the Bleed, First Aid, and others. Finally, the third area is a mentorship and networking opportunity, which includes professional development workshops and more.
Teen mental health is also a part of the training that teens get when they attend this academy, and if you do some research on it, you’ll learn that everyone who attends it feels like they’ve learned a lot of valuable information. This five-day program is open to high school students in the 9th through 12th grades.
5. High School Senior Summer Internship Program – Cincinnati, OH
High school seniors can consider taking this program, which takes place the summer after they graduate. It is open to anyone in the Cincinnati area, and it is a 20-hour-per-week job that pays around $13.00 per hour. It takes place at the Cincinnati Children’s Hospital and includes a mentor in an area specific to pediatrics. If you are highly motivated and have a passion for becoming a nursing student, this is an excellent internship to consider.
Nevertheless, it is a very competitive program that considers various factors to get in, including your GPA, SAT/ACT test score, extracurricular activities, community involvement, and work experience. You’ll also need a student essay and two letters of recommendation.
6. UCSF Summer Student Research Program – San Francisco, CA
The deadline for this program is February 25, and it consists of a nine-week program in June and July. Participants will receive a one-on-one mentor and gain access to various workshops, simulations, training, and seminars. You’ll also have access to mentoring opportunities, which are invaluable. To qualify, you must be at least 16 years old by June 1 and be in your junior year or senior year of high school. You also need to have completed one full year of math or biology.
The internship is specially designed for teenagers who have an interest in science but who are underrepresented, including those who are disabled, low-income, or who will be first-generation college graduates. Activities include lots of fun social activities.
7. Health Care Career Exploration Camp – Omaha, NE
If you’re in grades 10–12 and interested in a career in medicine but you’re not sure what specific career path you’re going to take, this is the camp for you. In fact, the camp highlights all sorts of medical professions, which can help you decide which one to choose in the end. Lunch and snacks are provided, and it is open to all students in the state of Nebraska. You’ll have access to hands-on activities, group activities held just for fun, and interactive learning experiences.
This is a week-long day camp for young people sponsored by CHI Health clinics, and though you won’t get paid, it also doesn’t cost you anything to attend. It can give you a head start on your career, which is especially helpful to high school juniors and seniors.
8. National Student Leadership Conference on Health Care & Medicine – Various Sites
There is a rolling application process for this summer camp, so you can apply at any time. It takes place in cities such as Washington, D.C.; New Haven, CT; Durham, NC; and several others, so you can likely find one that is close to home. All of the programs cost just under $4,000 and include learning how to suture and dissect, touring several medical facilities, and learning how to order patient tests, give an accurate diagnosis, and even how to ask the right questions of your patients.
These are eight-day camps and include online applications, making it even easier to apply. They give you lots of hands-on experience and end with a simulation of a real-life illness, which you can then use the skills and knowledge you just learned to treat.
9. Penn Medicine Summer Program for High School Students – University of Pennsylvania
This is a four-week summer program for kids ages 16 to 18. It includes a combination of classroom lectures and interactive labs, and it goes through topics such as kidney disease, emergency medicine, transplant surgery, sports medicine, cancer, and resuscitation science, among others. You’ll also enjoy both simulated and virtual surgeries and even view a live one that takes place in the Penn Surgical Amphitheater.
The Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania is one of the best medical programs in the country, and even though the program costs around $8,000, it is well worth it in the end. It is a top-notch program for high school students interested in medicine.
10. Indiana University Simon Cancer Center Summer Research Program – IU
This eight-week program includes intense 40-hour weeks that teach you all about clinical, computer database, and laboratory research. You can get paid a stipend, the amount of which changes every year, and applicants can be college students who have completed 24 credits or, at a very minimum, have completed their junior year of high school. When it comes to any type of biomedical research, this program has what you’re looking for and more.
In this program, you’ll also attend sessions on a variety of topics that you need to learn to proceed with your education. The program usually runs from June to July each year and is perfect for anyone interested in medical research or a career in any of the healthcare fields
11. Quick Start Program (Howard Hughes Medical Institute) – College Park, MD
Located at the University of Maryland, this program accepts only 50 students each summer, and in order to apply, you have to be either a junior or senior in high school and have completed AP courses in both biology and chemistry. It is a week-long program that consists of various seminars and workshops that are of interest to young people who want to pursue healthcare careers after they graduate. Each year, they center their activities on a different area, so it changes from one year to another.
The Quick Start (also called Jump Start) program costs around $200 to attend, and if you’re especially interested in the biomedical sciences, this is the place for you.
12. Student Nurse Clinical Intern (Sioux Falls Specialty Hospital) – Sioux Falls, SD
Student nurse interns can participate in this paid ten-week program that begins on June 5 and ends on August 11. You’ll be responsible for patient care, and you must be enrolled in a nursing program. The main thing you must have in order to be considered for this position is a good résumé that lists your education, community involvement, extracurricular activities, clinical rotations, and when you plan to graduate. You also have to have two letters of recommendation, with one of them being from a professor or academic advisor.
13. Stanford Medical Youth Science Program (Stanford University) – Stanford, CA
There is no cost to attend this program, and you receive a stipend of $1,200. It is a five-week program with an emphasis on areas such as lectures, workshops, networking events, and a research project. The deadline for the 2023 summer session is March 1, and the program will be held from June 23 to July 28. Students are expected to attend every single day of the program, including the very first day and all safety sessions offered during the session.
One of the requirements for this program is that you must be vaccinated for COVID-19. You might also be required to wear a mask and/or take other safety precautions during the five weeks of the program. The school will inform you ahead of time what your requirements will be. Young people from underrepresented or low-income backgrounds are especially encouraged to apply.
14. Penn Summer Academies (University of Pennsylvania) – Philadelphia, PA
If you plan to eventually go into a nursing program, these three-week, subject-intensive academies will teach you tons of important stuff in just a short period of time. These are noncredit programs available to students in 9th through 11th grades. They combine both in-person and online learning and encompass areas such as physics, biomedicine, chemistry, and neuroscience, which means you have a lot of opportunities from which to choose.
For these programs, international students can apply, and there is even some financial aid available if you live in the Philadelphia area. Most of the programs require you to spend a lot of time in the lab, and you can enjoy the culture and ambiance of the great city of Philadelphia at night and on weekends.
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15. Summer High School Internship Program (Fred Hutch Cancer Center) – Seattle, WA
This program runs from June 26 to August 18 and will be held entirely in Seattle, so there is no virtual component. The deadline is March 31, and the program itself consists of two weeks of hands-on training in a laboratory plus six weeks of mentored activities that include seminars, professional development workshops, and even numerous social activities. In the end, you’ll be expected to give a presentation to the Fred Hutch community.
To apply for this program, you have to be a senior in high school, be vaccinated for COVID-19, have an intense interest in science and medicine, and be available for a Zoom interview with the selection committee.
16. Apprenticeship in Medicine (AIM) (Medical College of Wisconsin) – Milwaukee, WI
This program runs from June 26 to August 4 and takes place on the campus of MCW. The process to get in is very competitive, but it is perfect for people who want to be medical students or a registered nurse someday. They stress topics such as career awareness, academic preparation, and achievement, and they seek to have students from diverse backgrounds who are interested in areas such as allied health, research, and medicine, among others.
The application to apply can be found online, but keep in mind that it takes roughly one hour to complete, and you have to complete it in one sitting because it doesn’t allow you to save it and come back to it later. It is due on March 31.
17. The Seacole Scholars Program (Lifespan Health Care) – Rhode Island
Lifespan has several hospitals throughout Rhode Island, and the Seacole program lasts from seven to eight weeks and includes a 40-hour paid (not volunteer) job. You’ll receive advice and assistance from professionals already in the field and have access to medical people in many different areas, from occupational therapy to disease control and many others. Whatever area you’re most interested in, you’ll be able to find an expert to learn from during this program.
You must be aged 16 to 19 and already hold a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) license to apply. Naturally, you’ll also need an interest in the healthcare field and a willingness to learn. The facility will call you if you are selected for an interview or send you an email if you are not selected.
18. Achieve in Medicine (AIM – High) (Nova Southeastern University) – Florida
This program is specifically geared towards osteopathic medicine and takes place in both Ft. Lauderdale and Clearwater, Florida. It is a five-day program for high school students interested in osteopathic studies. You can take the program in Ft. Lauderdale either from June 10–14 or July 17–21 or in Clearwater from June 26–30. The deadline for applying is May 1, which is a lot later than other very similar internships. The cost of the program is $1,500 and includes meals, snacks, and refreshments.
Keep in mind that the program accepts a limited number of students for each session, so it’s advisable to make sure your application is filled out completely and properly and that you get it in by the deadline date.
19. Magee Women’s Research Institute Summer Internship Program – Pittsburgh, PA
The internship is held at MWRI and is an intense four-week program that stresses research and biomedicine. The deadline is February 8. The Magee Women’s Research Institute specializes in reproductive biology, infant health, and women’s health. You’ll get paid in the program as well, and you’ll learn all about translational, basic, or clinical scientific research. The goal is to get people interested in biomedical research. Plus, you’ll be mentored by an investigator and their staff at either MWRI or the actual hospital.
At the end of the program, you’ll be presenting a PowerPoint presentation of your research findings to numerous faculty and staff members.
20. Project Success for High School Students (Harvard University) – Cambridge, MA
This is an eight-week paid program that runs from June to mid-August and includes in-person research mentoring and seminars. Much like other internship programs, you’ll be assigned your own mentor plus a research advisor, so you’ll be well-equipped to learn what you need to know to provide excellent patient care someday, not to mention excellent research capabilities. In short, the program links students with numerous scientists and physicians to help them learn a lot about the medical field.
To qualify, you have to have a minimum B- average and live in either Cambridge or Boston. You also have to have completed courses in biology, chemistry, and algebra. You must be 16 years old or older and have completed your junior or senior year of high school.
21. Center of Excellence High School Summer Enrichment Science Academy (HSSESA) – Washington, D.C. Area
With this program, preference is given to students who live in Washington, D.C., and surrounding areas, including Northern Virginia and Maryland. This six-week program has an emphasis on medical terminology, chemistry, biology, clinical work, and computer science. Not only is the program free, but it covers most expenses, including meals, lodging, and numerous activities. Both medical and pharmacy students will find this program beneficial, and the program seeks to serve underrepresented or minority students whenever possible.
Whether you hope to work in an emergency department or an operating room someday, this program can help you get one step closer to your dream. It is a science-oriented program that helps future nurses, doctors, and pharmacists understand and perform their jobs much better.
22. Della Keats Health Sciences Summer Program – University of Alaska
This four-week program is open to high schoolers in their junior or senior year. It is a free program with housing provided, and you also get a small allowance for food and other expenses. It is normally held in July and August and seeks to do two things: give you an introduction to college life and allow you to study various healthcare-related careers. ESL students and first-generation college-bound students are given preference over others, but anyone fitting the requirements can apply.
Held at the School of Medical Education at the University of Alaska, it is perfect for high school teens who have an interest in anything related to the medical field.
23. KP Launch (Kaiser Permanente) – Northern California
This is a great program for people who wish to study in Oakland or any other area in Northern California. The program seeks to find young people from underrepresented groups in order to obtain diversity, and the main goal is to encourage these individuals to seek out careers in the healthcare industry in order to provide top-notch care to all patients, young and old. Because of the diverse communities found in Northern California, the KP Launch program trains people to meet the linguistic and cultural needs of all of these groups.
The program includes working with mentors in practically every area of the medical field, so regardless of which area you’re most interested in, you can benefit from this program.
While this list might seem exhaustive, there are countless more opportunities for nurse internships for high school students, so if you don’t find a good fit program in your local area from the above, don’t hesitate to reach out to local hospitals, universities, and medical private practices and offer to volunteer as a summer intern. You might be surprised at how willing medical professionals are to show enthusiastic teens the ropes of their field.
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