Nurse Intern

Summer is always a fun time for Nurse Interns at Mercy Cedar Rapids. Be a part of this learning opportunity and build skills and relationships at the same time. Important details about the program are listed below!

During the application process you will be able to select the top three clinical areas you would like to explore. Mercy Cedar Rapids will make final determinations on all placements. Placements will be made based on availability, fit and greatest need. To be a part of the program you must be willing to work in any area of the hospital. Placements may include but is not limited to the following areas: Emergency Department, Surgical/Oncology, Birthplace/NICU/Peds, Operating Room/PACU, Inpatient Rehab, Cardiac-Stroke, Pulmonary Medicine, Medical Float Pool, Short Stay Observation, Acute Inpatient, Hall-Perrine Cancer Center, CV Lab, Digestive Health, Intensive Care Center.

Important Application Details:

Applicants will be required to apply to JR105465

Please submit a resume in addition to your application.

In addition to an application, candidates will need to submit a short introduction video (no more than 3 minutes in length) and short answer questions.

• In this submission tell us; about yourself; why are you going in to the field; what you have enjoyed learning the most in school; what you like to do outside of your school activities; along with why you think you would be a good fit for Mercy Cedar Rapids and the intern program.
• Along with the video submission candidates must also respond to questions in writing (submit questions via a word or PDF document).
• Reponses to these questions along with the video are required to be submitted by 12/7/2026 at 11:59pm.Further information regarding these submissions will be provided after your application is received.

Applicants will be notified around mid-December, 2026 of their application status.

Important Dates:

Summer internships take place between June 14th-August 14th, 2027.

The application window opens on October 19th, 2026 and closes on November 30, 2026 at 11:59pm. The window will not be reopened.

Interns must be available for the following milestone dates during the summer experience. Requested time off will be approved by discretion of Nurse Manager in placement unit.

• June 14th, Start Date
• June 21st Patient Care Services Orientation Day 1
• June 22nd Patient Care Services Orientation Day 2
• July (Date TBD), Education Day
• August (Date TBD), Wrap-Up Debrief Event
• August 14th, End Date

Schedule may include nights or rotating shifts, holidays and weekends, as needed based on preceptor assignment.

Thank you for considering this opportunity at Mercy Cedar Rapids. Wherever you go and whatever do with your nursing career, we are so glad you plan to contribute to this admired and respected profession. The world needs more nurses, thank-you!

Work Shift

Variable/Rotating Shifts

Scheduled Weekly Hours

36

Summary

This position supports Mercy’s philosophy of patient centered care by adhering to established practice standards and for continually improving his/her knowledge and skills. With the supervision of a Registered Nurse, the Nursing Intern coordinates interdisciplinary, age appropriate patient care, which is goal directed and utilizes the nursing process.

Job Description

Job Duties

• Ensure that accurate and clinically relevant information is communicated with patients, their families, and co-workers at hand offs and other times as needed. Take all measures necessary to ensure that the appropriate and involved parties have communicated necessary information in order to allow for the best possible patient outcome.
• Provide safe and effective patient care under the supervision of the licensed nurse by performing tasks and support functions as delegated by the department.
• Observe and communicate to the licensed nurse any changes in patient condition and pertinent information regarding the needs of the patient and/or significant others.
• Demonstrate effective and age appropriate communication as well as the ability to understand the needs of the patient including non-verbal communication, fears, anxieties and language/cultural barriers.
• Maintain accurate and real time documentation of patient care provided.
• Assure patient privacy by knocking on doors, closing curtains and protecting patient information.
• Respond within scope of practice to emergencies and life threatening conditions.
• Demonstrate support for changes in practice designed to improve performance.
• Organize and prioritize daily work, taking into account the needs of the patients, families, and other health care workers.
• Maintain cleanliness and organization of patient rooms and department work areas.
• Assist in identifying quality improvement opportunities and demonstrate support for changes in practice designed to improve performance.
• Prioritize tasks, identify needs for changes in priorities and take the initiative to recommend and implement changes in concert with their supervisor.
• Follows Mercy's safety guidelines, carries out job-specific safety duties and responsibilities, and promptly reports any unsafe conditions, situations, incidents and injuries.
• Maintain skills and competencies from each Unit annually.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Sound background in basic nursing principles and procedures and demonstrated ability to provide safe and effective basic nursing care.
• Demonstrate competency in unit specific skills as identified in the developmental checklist.

Professional Experience

• Previous experience in a med/surg or telemetry setting preferred.

Education

• Must be enrolled as a senior in an accredited nursing program. Mercy will assist in enrollment for eligible schools/courses.

Licensure, Certification, Registration

• Currently certified in Basic Life Support (BLS) in accordance with the American Heart Association required.
• Iowa Dependent Adult Abuse & Iowa Child Abuse Mandatory Reporter training required.  Employee must submit certification of completed training prior to start or transfer date.

Physical Requirements

Heavy: Exert 50-100 lbs. of force occasionally and/or 25-50 lbs. of force frequently

Pay Rate Type

Hourly

Mercy is an independent, community-based organization supporting the Cedar Rapids area for over 120 years.

Mercy is an equal-opportunity employer. We value diversity, equity, and inclusion and therefore evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, ethnicity, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, civil union status, parental status, religion, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, and other legally protected characteristics.