Student Nurse Extern I - Burn Intensive Care Unit

Join the NC Jaycee Burn Center, a 21-bed ICU-capable unit specializing in thermal, chemical, electrical, and inhalation burn injuries. This Student Nurse Extern I position is designed for prelicensure nursing students to gain immersive clinical experience working alongside registered nurses in a dynamic burn care environment. You will care for a mixed adult and pediatric patient population across acute, intermediate, and intensive care settings while developing foundational nursing skills and professional role socialization.

This is a temporary full-time position running from May 24 through July 31, 2027. The externship is not an extension of school clinicals—skills performed under clinical instructor supervision (such as IV/PO medication administration, patient assessment, documentation, NGT/foley insertion) are not permitted in this role.

Clinical Setting

The NC Jaycee Burn Center is an American Burn Association Verified Adult and Pediatric Burn Center providing specialized care across multiple acuity levels. The nursing team works collaboratively to support burn patients through all phases of recovery, from acute injury through long-term survivor support and community outreach.

Responsibilities

• Observe, collect, and document patient information while providing care; promptly report significant changes in patient condition to the assigned 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 routine patient 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, and postural drainage
• 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, and assisting with orientation of new employees and students
• Reinforce routine patient 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 date
• Nursing Assistant I certification 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
• Physical 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 kneel, bend, squat, and perform CPR as required

Schedule and Compensation

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

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.

Supervision and Learning Structure

You will report to the assigned department's Patient Services Manager or designated Education Leader and work under the direct supervision of an assigned RN partner. Your RN partner will facilitate and support learning experiences to enable you to proficiently perform nursing care activities in both complex and non-complex situations. All work is performed under direct supervision of a registered nurse or provider.