Employment Opportunities for Nursing Students
Nursing students who are actively enrolled and attending an accredited associate or baccalaureate degree program have the opportunity to apply to two different programs. Harris Health System offers nursing students an opportunity to apply for either the Nurse Tech I (NTI) position or the Nurse Externs Transitions (NEXT) program as a Nurse Tech II (NTII).
Nurse Tech I (NTI):
The Nurse Technician I position provides eligible junior-level nursing students a paid position to work within either of the two Harris Health System pavilions, Ben Taub Hospital or Lyndon B. Johnson Hospital. The NT will have the opportunity to provide support and float to various units of need, inclusive of medical/surgical units, intermediate care, women & infant services, critical care, and emergency center service settings. Nurse Technician I applicants are eligible to apply after completing their fundamentals class and 1st clinical rotation.
Nurse Tech I upon hire:
- Background Check
- Physical
- Vaccinations must be up-to-date
- Schedule two 12-hour shifts per month (24 hours a month)
- Must be able to attend two weeks of orientation
Nursing students interested in NTI positions can apply directly to NTI open job posting.
The Nurse Externs Transition (NEXT) Program:
Nurse Tech II position:
Harris Health System is pleased to offer baccalaureate and associate degree nursing students the opportunity to improve their learning and understanding of their profession through our Nurse Externs Transition (NEXT) program. The program will allow senior-level nursing students a paid position of employment, allowing the NEXT student to work side by side with registered nurses and learn nursing practices and processes. This experience can, in turn, equip and prepare NEXT students for their next phase of nursing, a nurse residency program.
The NEXT program is designed specifically for all nursing senior-level students to help facilitate their transition to practice post-graduation into our Nurse Residency Program. NEXT students are given priority interviews for the Harris Health Nurse Residency Program. The NEXT student will be hired to work directly on a preferred unit of choice and will not be required to float to other areas. The NEXT student will serve and assist the unit with all patient care activities. During the second half of the student’s senior year, the NEXT student will work alongside a registered nurse applying their skills and application of knowledge in providing and delivering safe patient under the guidance of a nurse preceptor.
The NEXT program accepts senior-level nursing students twice a year and will be available in both of our healthcare pavilions, Ben Taub Hospital and Lyndon B. Johnson Hospital. Additionally, there may be opportunities available within Ambulatory Care Clinics if outpatient is an area of desire.
Nurse Tech II: NEXT Program Benefits
The NEXT program provides a paid position as a nurse tech II who is assigned to work in one of the many nursing departments within Harris Health System pavilions and/or Ambulatory Care Clinics. Sponsoring units accepting NEXT students include medical/surgical units, intermediate care, women & infant services, critical care, emergency center, peri-operative services, and ambulatory care services/clinic settings.
Nurse Tech II: NEXT Employee Benefit
- A competitive salary
- Paid orientation
- Helps the future nurse solidify the unit of choice to start their career
- Provides application of skills/knowledge prior to graduation
- Priority interviews for the HHS Nurse Residency Program
NEXT Student Eligibility Requirements:
NEXT externs are eligible to apply prior to their senior-level year.
- Currently enrolled in an accredited nursing baccalaureate or associate degree program
- Have and maintain a cumulative nursing GPA of 3.0 minimum
- Graduation date must occur within one year of hire or at minimum six months prior to start
- Must work a minimum of 24 hours (two 12-hour shifts) a month
- Holds a current Basic Life Support
Requirements upon hire:
- Background Check
- Physical
- Vaccinations must be up-to-date
- Schedule two 12-hour shifts per month (24 hours a month)
- Must be able to attend two weeks of orientation
Application Process for NEXT program (Nurse Tech IIs) must include:
- Resume
- Copy of Official Transcripts
- two letters of recommendations
- BLS Certification
- 500-word interest essay
- Holds a current Basic Life Support
Application Process
The completed application must be submitted online prior to the deadline. No late applications will be accepted. The application period for the Winter 2023 session of the NEXT Program is now closed.
If you have any questions, please reach out to us at: NEXTprogram@harrishealth.org.
What's next after the NEXT program?
- Career Coaching
- Nurse Residency Program
- Nurse Fellowship Program
LVN Residency Program
The Harris Health System Ambulatory Care Service (ACS) Licensed Vocational Nurse Residency Program is designed to support new nurses as they transition to practice in the ACS environment. The program adheres to the Harris Health System mission, vision, and values, as well as supports the components of our Nursing Professional Practice model. The program aligns with the National Council of State Boards of Nursing five core competencies and the Texas Board of Nursing scope of practice for licensed vocational nurses.
Resident Experience
The ACS Licensed Vocational Nurse Residency Program will support new graduates, those with less than one year of nursing experience, and those hired with no ambulatory care experience as they transition to practice demonstrating an integration of knowledge, skill, and attitude in the ambulatory care setting. Our nursing residency program is a structured six-month learning experience focused on the specialty of Ambulatory Care. Each nurse resident will be assigned a qualified preceptor to help them grow as they transition into a safe clinical practice.
Benefits
Harris Health System provides comprehensive day 1 benefits, incredible career, and educational opportunities along with a competitive salary.
LVN Residency Requirements
You must be a graduate from an accredited licensed vocational nursing school. Pass the state board exam, attain licensure, and get hired into an Ambulatory Care Services specialty or community clinic. For more information contact: LVNResidency@harrishealth.org.
You must be a new graduate nurse, a nurse with less than one year of experience, or a nurse with no Ambulatory Care experience.
Application Process
There is no formal application process. When the residency requirements are met the Nurse Manager or Clinical Resources Nurse will contact the LVN Residency Program facilitator to add the new candidate into the next cohort. For more information, contact: LVNResidency@harrishealth.org.
Nurse Residency Requirements Upon Hire
- Official hired into an Ambulatory Care Clinic site
- Basic life support certification from the American Heart Association or the American Red Cross--must be valid for 6 months or more upon hire
- LVN license from the state
Nurse Residency Program
The Harris Health System Nurse Residency Program is an evidence-based and organizationally-constructed program whose goals include best-practice guidelines aimed at supporting new graduates transition to practice.
Resident Experience
Our nursing residency program is a structured one-year learning experience focused on the nurse residency clinical specialty area. Each nurse resident will be assigned a qualified preceptor to help the novice nurse grow and expand knowledge and skills. Residents take part in learning activities and extended clinical experiences that focus on transitioning them into a safe clinical practice.
Benefits
Harris Health System provides comprehensive Day 1 benefits along with a RN Student Loan Repayment program, incredible career and educational opportunities along with a highly competitive salary.
Nurse Residency Requirements
You must be a graduate from an accredited nursing school, Bachelor preferred. The ideal candidate will have a GPA of 3.0 or higher.
You must be a graduate nurse with less than one year of experience.
Application Process
The application period for the Fall 2024 Nurse Residency Program will be open from May 27th to June 14th. Fall Session begins October 21st.
Harris Health System Nurse Residency Program is a two–step process.
Step 1: Complete an online application to Nurse Residency Program. Apply Online to Job Req #170751. Late applications will not be accepted.
When requested, please submit:
- Copy of current resume
- Nurse Residency Survey Questionnaire (to be provided by Human Resources upon completion of online application)
Step 2: Submit Nurse Residency Requirements Upon Hire as listed below.
Please submit questions to GNPROGRAM@harrishealth.org.
Nurse Residency Requirements Upon Hire
- Official transcript from accredited nursing school
- Basic life support certification from the American Heart Association or the American Red Cross--must be valid for 6 months or more upon hire
- RN license from the state
Nursing Fellowship Program
The Harris Health System Nurse Fellowship Program provides an experienced nurse with a minimum of one year of nursing experience the opportunity for professional growth as the nurse transitions into a new specialty area. The Fellowship program will provide a blended learning approach to help nurses acquire the confidence, knowledge, and skills to effectively deliver safe and quality patient care.
Nurse Fellowship Experience
Within the program, the nurse fellow will receive an evidence-based practice curriculum that has been designed to provide a structured pathway to successfully transition into the specialty area. This is achieved through didactic courses, computer web-based training, high-fidelity simulation, interactive workshops that focus on time management, delegation, communication, and mentoring that will assist you in gaining competence and confidence within this new role. The nurse fellow will be assigned to a trained preceptor who guides the nurse and validates defined clinical competencies in the area of practice. The fellowship program is at a minimum of twelve weeks; however, the official program length can vary based on the specialty area.
Benefits
Harris Health System provides comprehensive Day 1 benefits along with an RN Student Loan Repayment program, tuition reimbursement after six months of employment, and competitive salaries.
Nurse Fellowship Requirements
- One (1) year of current full-time RN experience
- BSN or higher preferred/ADNs accepted
- Current Texas RN license
- BLS Certification
Application Process
You will complete an application for the Nurse Fellowship Program. Once the application is submitted, there will be a Nurse Fellowship Checklist sent from the Human Resource Dept. You will be required to submit a current resume. For internal candidates, there is a Fellowship Letter of Recommendation that is required to be completed as well. The program is offered in the spring and fall. The application for the Nurse Fellowship Program will be open until August 9th. Click Here To Apply ›
For more information, contact: RNFELLOWSHIP@harrishealth.org.