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Nurse Internship Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Operating Room Nurse Internship

Nashville, TN · On-site

$36 - $49/hr

Operating Room Nurse Internship As an Operating Room Nurse Internship, your voice to influence patient care is valued and empowered at every turn - whether through open, collaborative relationships ...

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How much do nurse internship jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 13, 2026, the average hourly pay for nurse internship in the United States is $16.77, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $14.42 and $18.75 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a nurse internship?

A nurse internship is a structured program that provides nursing students or recent graduates with hands-on clinical experience in a healthcare setting. These programs are designed to help interns transition from academic learning to practical, real-world nursing practice under the supervision of experienced professionals. Nurse internships typically include rotations in various departments, mentoring, and opportunities to develop essential clinical and communication skills. They are valuable for building confidence, enhancing employability, and preparing for a successful nursing career.

What is a nurse internship?

During a nurse internship, an intern performs clinical duties or patient care under the supervision of a registered nurse or doctor. This job is usually part of nursing school programs. If you are studying for a BSN, you complete a nursing internship before you become a registered nurse. Qualifications for this position include participation in or completion of a nursing degree program. An internship is often one of the first steps in a nursing career, where you can learn necessary job skills.

What types of responsibilities and hands-on experiences can I expect during a nurse internship?

During a nurse internship, you can expect to gain hands-on experience in patient care, such as monitoring vital signs, administering medications under supervision, and assisting with basic procedures. Interns typically rotate through various hospital departments, which allows exposure to different specialties and care settings. You’ll also participate in team meetings, collaborate closely with experienced nurses and physicians, and learn essential documentation and communication skills. This role is designed to help you build confidence, bridge the gap between classroom learning and clinical practice, and prepare you for a full-time nursing position.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a nurse intern, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Nurse Intern, you need foundational knowledge of nursing principles, basic patient care skills, and enrollment in or completion of a nursing program. Familiarity with electronic health records (EHRs) and common clinical tools, as well as compliance with HIPAA and hospital protocols, are typically required. Strong communication, eagerness to learn, and teamwork abilities help Nurse Interns build rapport with staff and patients. These skills and qualities enable interns to effectively support nursing teams, ensure patient safety, and gain practical experience for future nursing roles.

What is the difference between Nurse Internship vs Nurse Residency?

AspectNurse InternshipNurse Residency
CredentialsTypically enrolled nursing students or recent graduatesRegistered nurses with licensure, completing advanced training
Work EnvironmentHospitals, clinics, or healthcare facilities, often in training settingsHospitals or specialized units, with more clinical responsibilities
PurposeTo gain practical experience and fulfill educational requirementsTo transition from education to independent practice and develop skills
DurationUsually a few months, part-time or full-timeTypically 6-12 months, full-time

While both Nurse Internships and Nurse Residencies provide valuable clinical experience, internships are generally for students or recent graduates gaining initial exposure, whereas residencies are structured programs for licensed nurses seeking to refine their skills and transition into independent practice.

Do registered nurse interns get paid?

Registered nurse interns typically receive compensation for their work during internships, which may include hourly wages or stipends, depending on the program and institution. Payment often depends on whether the internship is part of a paid training program or a volunteer opportunity, and some programs may offer academic credit instead of pay.

What internships can nursing students do?

Nursing students can participate in internships such as clinical rotations, externships, or summer programs that provide hands-on experience in hospitals, clinics, or community health settings. These internships help develop skills in patient care, medical procedures, and healthcare teamwork, often requiring CPR certification and adherence to safety protocols.

What cities are hiring for Nurse Internship jobs?

Cities with the most Nurse Internship job openings:

What are the most commonly searched types of Nurse jobs?

The most popular types of Nurse jobs are:

What states have the most Nurse Internship jobs?

States with the most job openings for Nurse Internship jobs include:

What are popular job titles related to Nurse Internship jobs?

For Nurse Internship jobs, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Infographic showing various Nurse Internship job openings in the United States as of September 2026, with employment types broken down into 4% As Needed, 56% Full Time, 15% Part Time, and 25% Contract. Highlights an 99% Physical, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $34,888 per year, or $16.8 per hour.

Operating Room Nurse Internship

Nashville, TN • On-site

$36 - $49/hr

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

This job post has expired 1 day ago. Applications are no longer accepted.


Job description

Operating Room Nurse Internship

Are you passionate about the patient experience? At HCA Healthcare, we are committed to caring for patients with purpose and integrity. We care like family! Jump-start your career as a(an) Operating Room Nurse Internship today with TriStar Southern Hills Medical Center.

Job Summary and Qualifications

The Nurse Residency Program focuses on training licensed Registered Nurses with no prior operating room experience to work in the intra-operative environment. This program is open to nurses who are either new graduates or seasoned nurses with a non-surgical background. This internship prepares nurses with the foundational skills that are essential for providing safe patient care in the operating room.

This program is open to all Nashville area TriStar medical centers including Centennial, Summit, Southern Hills, StoneCrest, Horizon, Skyline, Hendersonville, Greenview and NorthCrest. Residents from all facilities will start the program as a cohort and attend didactic classroom days together. Clinical hours will be completed in the intern's facility and department of hire. For example, if you are hired to work at Skyline, all your clinical hours will be completed at Skyline. An active nursing license in good standing for the state of your hiring facility (Tennessee or Kentucky) is required to begin the program.

Clinical Expectations

During the 5-month program, interns will work five 8-hour days (Monday – Friday). Alternative shifts will be at the discretion of the hiring manager after completion of the program. Clinical start times may vary depending on the schedule of your preceptor. For example, if your preceptor starts their shift at 0630, you will be expected to start at 0630. This program helps you develop the foundational skills of the perioperative RN. You will still be a novice when you graduate and will continue to gain specialty experiences following completion of the program. Departmental and service line orientation will build on foundational skills learned in the internship program. Regular rounding and progress meetings will be set with the course instructors, preceptors, and managers to track the resident's progress.

Time and Attendance

Attendance and punctuality are required during the didactic portions of the program. Exceptions for clinical will be made on a case-by-case basis. Missing a day of lecture/simulation is not permitted. For clinical days, please refer to your facility's attendance policy.

Completion Criteria

Nurse Residents must demonstrate successful completion of the following criteria in order to graduate from the internship:

  • Completion of all course assignments and objective assessments
  • Final grade of 75% or greater
  • Professionalism Requirement
  • Attend at least one Middle Tennessee Chapter AORN meeting Residents that do not meet the above criteria must meet with surgery management, preceptor, and education team to develop an individualized action plan, which may include remediation, reassignment, or resignation from the program.
Frequently Asked Questions:

How long is the Periop Nurse Residency Program? The program is 5 months long. This blended-learning program combines didactic, online modules, lab, and clinical hours. Upon completion of the residency program, residents will orient to their hired unit/specialty until competency is demonstrated.

What are the hours of the training? During the program, hours are five 8-hour days (Monday – Friday). Clinical will be held at resident's hired facility. Overtime hours during the program are not typically permitted without management approval. Alternative shifts (3 12-hour, 4 8-hour) will be at the discretion of the hiring manager after program has ended. The program schedule is subject to change.

Am I considered an employee while in the program? Yes. You are hired as an employee before the program begins and start earning wages on the first day of the program.

Will I know where I will be working after the training? You will complete your clinical in the department that you will work in after training. Your primary service line will be determined near the end of the program, based on the needs of the department. Flexibility will be required regarding service line, shift, holiday or weekend hours when needed. You may be expected to cover holiday call and late stay call upon completion of your orientation. This may involve evenings, nights or weekend shifts.

During the program, may I observe in other surgical departments? This is at the discretion of your hiring manager.

How long will I be working with a preceptor? You will be assigned to a preceptor until competency is validated and you have completed all orientation checklists.

How will my competency be determined? Residents will have an orientation binder that contains specific criteria for validation of competency on specific skills in the Circulating role. The Intern will be responsible for obtaining documentation from the preceptor to determine competency in the clinical area. Progress meetings will be held with the Manager, Educator, and preceptor to provide feedback and set goals.

How long does it take to be prepared to work independently in my role? This will depend on service line complexity and individual progression. The average length of orientation, including program, is 6 months.

What are the responsibilities of a Circulating nurse? Responsibilities of the Circulator include but are not limited to: Management of personnel, equipment, supplies, and environment during surgical procedure Patient care including assessment, assisting the anesthesia team, positioning, prepping, and documentation Manages flow of information as well as supplies to and from the surgical team members scrubbed at the field

What are the responsibilities of a scrub nurse? Will this be part of my training? The scrub nurse is responsible for assisting the surgeon and assistants with instrumentation, set-ups, suture presentation, sponges, etc., while maintaining the sterility of the surgical field through aseptic practices. The primary focus of this program is to train you to be a circulating nurse. Whether you are trained to scrub is determined by facility.

May I take vacation time during the program? Vacations are not granted during the didactic portion of the program. Completion criteria for the program includes attendance to all required classroom lectures, simulations, and skills days. Exceptions for clinical will be made on a case-by-case basis.

Will this role prepare me for a goal of becoming a CRNA? No. A CRNA program requires critical care experience rather than OR experience. It would be better to pursue an ICU unit if becoming a CRNA is your personal goal.

Will this role prepare me for a goal of becoming an RNFA? Yes. This experience will prepare you for the goal of becoming an RNFA if desired. First, however, you must obtain two years of full-time hours and become certified (CNOR). After that you will be eligible to pursue RNFA programs.

Will this internship prepare me for OR Certification (CNOR)? Yes. You will be eligible for certification after 2 years/2400 hours of OR experience. This program teaches AORN standards, so graduates of this program are well prepared to sit for certification.

What you will do in this role:

  • Evaluate patients prior to surgery
  • Provide patient and family education surrounding the procedure and peri-operative process
  • Assume responsibility for patient preparation, including intravenous therapy, preoperative medications, and surgical site verification
  • Participate in surgical site verification, including briefing, time out, debriefing, and universal protocols, according to hospital policy
  • Recognize and respond to patient emergencies
  • Deliver high-quality, patient-centered care while managing evidence-based practices and continuous improvement initiatives
  • Be an integral member of a dynamic interdisciplinary team – consisting of the provider(s), surgeons, surgical technologists and more
  • Consistently apply the nursing process, critical thinking skills, scientific judgment, technical skills and leadership to independently deliver safe nursing care to patients
  • Assess patient condition, monitor throughout your shift, and document changes in patient condition along with the care provided thoroughly
  • Educate patients and families/caregivers about the patient's medical condition, treatment and follow-up measures
What qualifications you will need:
  • Basic Cardiac Life Support must be obtained within 30 days of employment start date
  • (RN) Registered Nurse
  • Associate Degree, or Registered Nurse Diploma, or Bachelors Degree
  • At least 1 year of RN experience required! Any speciality.
Benefits

TriStar Southern Hills Medical Center, offers a total rewards package that supports the health, life, career and retirement of our colleagues. The available plans and programs include:

  • Comprehensive benefits for medical, prescription drug, dental, vision, behavioral health and telemedicine services
  • Wellbeing support, including free counseling and