The application window for Pine Rest Nursing Externship closed on 2/28/26
Applications are now open for a 14-Week Nurse Extern Program, created to ignite students’ passion for psychiatric nursing while strengthening clinical skills and confidence.
Designed for students currently enrolled in an accredited nursing program, the Nurse Extern Program provides a paid, immersive learning experience within Pine Rest’s inpatient psychiatric care environment. The inaugural cohort runs May 11 – August 14, 2026. Externs will work in tandem with experienced psychiatric nurses, gaining real-world exposure to patient-centered mental health care while building the clinical foundation needed for long-term success in nursing.
“Psychiatric nursing allows nurses to walk with people through some of the most vulnerable and difficult moments of their lives,” said Erin Micale-Sexton, DNP, MSN-RN, CNL, Director of Nursing within Pine Rest’s Hospital and Acute Services.
“Our goal with this program is to support students as they grow and provide them with the experiences and opportunities that will help them feel confident, capable, supported, and prepared to care for patients with compassion and clinical excellence. By investing in these students now, we’re not only nurturing their careers, we’re building a better future of care for our patients and our community.”
Highlights of the Nursing Externship include:
- 14-week paid externship
- Two weeks of paid first-shift training for onboarding and skills development
- 12 weeks of clinical immersion on first or second shift
- One-on-one mentorship and guidance offered each shift through pairing with an experienced psychiatric nurse
- Professional development sessions to strengthen clinical readiness
- Exposure to interdisciplinary collaboration and psychiatric nursing best practices
The program will be limited to five top candidates, ensuring personalized mentorship and a high-quality clinical learning experience. Participants will be compensated at $20 per hour.
This Nurse Extern Program is ideal for nursing students who are eager to deepen their clinical skills, explore psychiatric nursing and make a meaningful difference in patients’ lives
Applications accepted until 2/28/26. For more information and to apply, visit pinerest.org/nurse-extern.
