Student Nurse Extern I - Acute Burn & Wound Unit

Join UNC Health as a Student Nurse Extern I on the Acute Burn & Wound Unit, a 15-bed specialty unit dedicated to caring for patients with burn injuries and complex wounds. This temporary full-time externship (May 24 – July 31, 2027) is designed for prelicensure nursing students to gain immersive clinical experience and role socialization within a hospital setting. You will work as a member of the patient care team under the direct supervision of an assigned RN partner, functioning within the Nursing Assistant I scope of practice.

The Acute Burn & Wound Unit cares for patients with burn injuries typically under 20% total body surface area, as well as plastic surgery patients, those with diabetic wounds, pressure ulcers, and overflow from other acute care surgery and medicine areas.

Important Note: This externship is not an extension of school clinicals. Skills performed under clinical instructor supervision in your nursing program—such as IV or PO medication administration, patient assessment, documentation, NGT insertion, or foley catheter insertion—are not permitted in this role.

Responsibilities

• Observe, collect, and document patient information while providing care; promptly report significant changes in patient condition to the RN or provider
• Participate in collaborative identification and reporting of patient safety issues
• Assist patients and families during admission, orientation to the hospital experience, and discharge
• Provide care and treatments as outlined in the plan of care, including vital signs measurement, height and weight, specimen collection, skin preps, catheter care, capillary blood glucose checks, simple wound care, range of motion exercises, postural drainage, and supportive patient and family interactions
• Provide direct personal care for routine activities of daily living such as bathing, dressing, feeding, and assisting with ambulation
• Provide indirect care including cleaning work areas, changing linens, restocking supplies, cleaning and sterilizing instruments, transporting patients and supplies, assisting with orientation of new employees and students, and routine clerical functions
• Reinforce routine teaching provided by the RN or provider and document patient understanding
• Assist providers with routine examinations and procedures; procure equipment and supplies during emergency situations

Required Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED
• Current enrollment in an accredited prelicensure nursing program with anticipated graduation within 12 months from the start of the externship
• Listed as Nursing Assistant I with the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services
• Basic Life Support (BLS) certification
• Fluent in verbal and written English
• Ability to organize and prioritize assignments in patient care delivery
• Basic computer skills
• Ability to lift and carry 40-50 lbs, including pushing/pulling patients on beds or stretchers (requires 29 lbs. push force) and lateral transfers up to 50 lbs. of patient weight
• Frequent to continuous standing and walking
• Ability to perform activities including kneeling, bending, squatting, and CPR as required by the role

Schedule and Compensation

• Temporary full-time position
• 36 hours per week
• Variable schedule
• $18.00 per hour
• Onsite work in Chapel Hill, North Carolina

Employment and Benefits

This is a state position employed by UNC Health Care System. You will be eligible for UNC Health benefits. If you are currently an employee of another North Carolina agency and participate in TSERS or the ORP, you may be eligible to continue participating in those plans at UNC Health.