DUSON Duke Health Nurse Extern (DNE) - Float Pool

Duke Health is recruiting Duke University School of Nursing students for a paid 10-week nursing extern program within the Duke University Health System Float Pool. This is a professional nursing assistant position designed to provide clinical experience and support the transition from nursing student to registered nurse practice.

This externship offers a unique opportunity to work across multiple clinical specialties within a large academic medical center. You will be assigned 1:1 with an RN clinical partner throughout the entire 10-week program and will rotate through various units including Critical Care, Medical-Surgical, Pediatrics, Procedural areas, and Oncology. This broad exposure allows you to gain insight into the diverse patient populations and nursing specialties within Duke Health.

Clinical Setting

Duke University Hospital is the largest of four Duke Health hospitals with 1,062 patient beds. Located in Durham, North Carolina, it is consistently ranked among the best hospitals in the United States and features comprehensive diagnostic and therapeutic facilities, including a regional emergency/trauma center and endo-surgery center.

Responsibilities

• Perform nonprofessional nursing duties in direct patient care under the supervision of an RN
• Prepare patients, equipment, and supplies for procedures and provide manual assistance as required
• Obtain and record patient data for medical records and report findings to the RN
• Administer personal care procedures including feeding, bathing, shaving, changing clothing, nail care, bed making, assisting with ambulation, enemas, and skin care
• Assist with bowel and bladder elimination and provide additional care to meet patient comfort needs
• Reinforce patient teaching as instructed by RN and physicians
• Assist physicians and nurses with physical examinations by positioning patients, changing non-sterile dressings, and weighing patients
• Take and record vital signs, record intake and output, apply ice bags, and administer douches and enemas
• Note and report any changes in patient condition
• Turn and position patients, set up and feed patients as necessary, and provide fresh drinking water
• Perform finger sticks for blood glucose testing with appropriate training
• Collect, deliver, and conduct routine tests on patient specimens
• Clean assigned areas and stock and replenish supplies and equipment
• Assist with patient admission, discharge, and transportation
• Follow standard precautions and use personal protective equipment as required

Required Qualifications

Education

• Must be a current student at Duke University in an NLN/CCNE/ACNE accredited nursing program
• Must be a Duke Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) student

Licenses and Certifications

• Current listing with the North Carolina Division of Health Services Regulation/Nurse Aide I Registry
• Current American Heart Association (AHA) Basic Life Support Healthcare Provider certification valid for the entire length of the externship (Duke Health can provide BLS at orientation if needed)

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Working knowledge of sterile techniques and special procedures applicable to work performed
• Working knowledge of procedures and techniques for administering routine and special treatments to patients
• Working knowledge of sanitation, personal hygiene, and basic health and safety precautions in a hospital setting
• Working knowledge of hospital organization and physical layout
• Working knowledge of infection control procedures and safety precautions
• Ability to withstand prolonged standing and walking
• Ability to perform heavy lifting and transport stretcher and wheelchair patients to various hospital locations
• Ability to understand and follow oral and written instructions
• Ability to document and communicate pertinent information using computer and paper documentation tools
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with patients and hospital staff
• Working knowledge of principles and practices of nonprofessional bedside patient care

Program Requirements

• Participants must complete at least 80 hours
• Must agree to attend an institution-specific orientation program
• Start date: November 30, 2026

Application Timeline

• Application submission deadline: October 20, 2026
• Offers extended by: Week of October 30, 2026