5 Nursing Internships for High School Students
Nursing internships for high school students are an excellent way to explore healthcare and gain valuable skills. These programs provide hands-on experience, mentorship from medical professionals, and a closer look at nursing responsibilities. You can enhance your resume with an internship, helping you stand out when applying to colleges. For students interested in medicine, nursing internships offer a focused way to explore patient care and healthcare systems.
We’ve carefully curated a list of the top 5 nursing internships for high school students to help you explore healthcare careers. If you're looking for more prestigious research programs, internships, and region-specific programs in medicine, check out this set of blogs!
Location: Providence, RI
Cohort Size: Around 80 students (based on the previous year)
Stipend: Paid; exact amount unspecified.
Application deadline: Applications typically close in January.
Dates: 7 to 8 weeks from June to August
Eligibility: High school students aged 16 to 19 with valid CNA licenses are eligible.
The Seacole Scholars Program, named after Mary Seacole, offers high school students with CNA licenses a paid, seven-week summer employment opportunity at Rhode Island Hospital. You will work four days a week in nursing units and dedicate one day to Workforce and Youth Development training. Running from June to August, the program includes a 40-hour workweek, career-building workshops, and networking opportunities. You may also secure employment beyond the summer.
Location: Various medical centers in Los Angeles
Stipend: Each participant will receive a completion certificate, and one will be awarded a $500 scholarship
Cohort Size: 100-180 students
Application deadline: February 14
Dates: Session 1: July 7 – 17 | Session 2: July 21 – 31
Eligibility: Current 11th and 12th-grade students are eligible to apply
This program offers virtual and in-person shadowing opportunities to high school students in Los Angeles-area hospitals, including Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. The program aims to support future nurses and healthcare workers. You will shadow medical professionals such as pediatricians, surgeons, nurses, and therapists to understand patient care and medical processes. You will engage in workshops and explore various specialties. Upon completing the program, you will earn a certificate and may qualify for a $500 scholarship through the Edward M. Rissman Scholarship Fund.
Location: Denver, CO
Stipend: A minimum of Colorado minimum wage.
Cohort size: 75 spots available
Application deadline: March 5
Dates: Beginning of junior year to the end of senior year in high school (2-year commitment). Students complete internships during one of the following sessions: winter or summer of their junior year. Winter internships last 12 weeks, whereas summer internships last 6 weeks.
Eligibility: High school sophomores at the time of application attending school in the Denver metro or Colorado Springs areas.
The Medical Career Collaborative (MC²) is a healthcare pathway program for high school juniors and seniors, offering paid internships, mentorship, and certification opportunities. As a participant, you will work alongside healthcare professionals such as CNAs, technicians, nurses, paramedics, therapists, and physicians at Children’s Colorado or Denver Health. You will gain experience through 100-120-hour internships. Monthly field trips, workshops, and weekly seminars will enhance your understanding of healthcare fields, medical terminology, and career skills. Seniors receive support with post-secondary goals, including college applications and scholarships. Alumni benefit from career coaching, certification programs, and networking opportunities.
Location: Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH
Stipend: $15 per hour
Cohort Size: 80-90 (based on previous years)
Application deadline: January 31
Dates: June 9 – July 25
Eligibility: Students must be in 9th, 10th, 11th, or 12th grade, be at least 15 years of age by June 1, and preferably have a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or better on a 4.0 scale. Check more details here.
The Cleveland Clinic CYCE High School Summer Internship Program offers paid internships in healthcare. As an intern, you will explore clinical, nonclinical, and advanced technology fields at Cleveland Clinic’s locations in Northeast Ohio. Programs focus on building professional skills like digital literacy, teamwork, and communication while applying academic knowledge to career pathways. Options include Advanced Technology, exploring AI, robotics, and IT/cybersecurity; the Louis Stokes Program, which covers non-clinical areas like administration, design, and finance; and the science program, which introduces clinical fields like medicine, nursing, and pharmacy.
Location: Various Kaiser Permanente Medical Centers or business offices in California.
Stipend: $24 per hour
Cohort Size: 40-50 students
Application deadline: January 6
Dates: June 16 – August 1
Eligibility: Current high school students aged 16-19. Check more details here.
The Kaiser Permanente (KP) Launch High School Program is a seven-week paid summer internship offering high school students experience in healthcare administration and hospital operations. Interns earn $23/hour while gaining professional skills through workshops, mentorship, and networking opportunities. You will work on community service projects and be exposed to various departments, such as nursing, internal medicine, and patient care. While interns do not participate in direct patient care, you will gain insights into healthcare systems, strategic planning, and operational roles.
One other option—the Lumiere Research Scholar Program
If you’re interested in pursuing independent research, consider applying to one of the Lumiere Research Scholar Programs, selective online high school programs for students founded with researchers at Harvard and Oxford. Last year, we had over 4,000 students apply for 500 spots in the program! You can find the application form here.
Also check out the Lumiere Research Inclusion Foundation, a non-profit research program for talented, low-income students. Last year, we had 150 students on full need-based financial aid!
Stephen is one of the founders of Lumiere and a Harvard College graduate. He founded Lumiere as a PhD student at Harvard Business School. Lumiere is a selective research program where students work 1-1 with a research mentor to develop an independent research paper.