Program Overview

Professional Student Nurse Extern Program

The Professional Student Nurse Extern (PSNE) program at MD Anderson allows nursing students to work in a Magnet Recognized facility with an interdisciplinary healthcare team. Participants can advance their clinical and critical thinking skills at one of the nation's foremost comprehensive cancer centers. They will obtain the basic knowledge and skills to practice oncology nursing while earning a competitive salary.

Year-Round Program

Eligibility

Participants must meet the following criteria:

• Be currently enrolled full-time in an accredited school of professional nursing
• Be able to verify excellent academic standing by submission of grade transcripts
• Have a desire to work with the oncology patient population
• Be able to complete institutional and nursing PSNE orientation approximately two weeks in late December
• Have completed one clinical semester

About the Position

The year-round PSNE is a temporary position. Participants are paid an hourly salary plus shift differential and must be able to work a minimum of 24 hours per month. The position is not eligible for benefits.

Summer Program

The PSNE program is ten weeks in length, beginning in May and ending in August. In addition to the clinical experience, participants will participate in seminars taught by nursing experts. Topics may include, but are not limited to:

• Introduction to Oncology Nursing
• Pathophysiology of Cancer
• Characteristics of Major Cancers
• Critical Thinking
• Treatment Modalities
• Cancer Prevention and Detection
• Quality of Life and Ethical Issues

About the Position

The summer PSNE is a temporary position. Participants are paid an hourly salary plus shift differential and must be able to work a 40-hour work week. The position is not eligible for benefits.

Eligibility

Participants must meet the year-round program criteria and have completed their junior year.