Graduate Nurse

Alright, let's talk about this Nurse Extern spot at The Rehabilitation Institute of St. Louis. It's for someone who's in nursing school right now, getting their hands dirty and their heart into it. This isn't just another clinical rotation; it's a real role on the team where you start applying what you're learning to help people in recovery. If you're looking for a place that gets what it means to be a student and a future nurse, this is worth your time.

What You'd Be Doing

You'll be working under the direction of the rehab nurses and therapists, right there with the patients. It's all about the day to day support that makes a difference in someone's recovery journey.

• Helping patients with their daily activities and personal care.
• You're the eyes and ears, so communicating any patient concerns or changes in condition to the nurse or therapist is a big part of it.
• Documenting patient info and vitals in the electronic medical record.
• Some special procedures, like collecting urine, stool, or sputum samples.
• Going over treatments, activities of daily living, and hygiene with patients and their families.
• Assisting patients with meals and sometimes joining them for Therapeutic Dining Groups.
• A hand with patient body mechanics and keeping their environment clean.
• You'll also help take care of equipment.

The Stuff You Need to Have

This role is built for the nursing student who's past the very first hurdles. Here’s what that looks like on paper.

• You need to be a part time or full time student actively enrolled in a professional Registered Nurse or Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse program.
• Good academic standing is non negotiable. We'll need proof of continued enrollment and passing grades each semester until you graduate.
• You must have successfully finished your first term of nursing courses. That initial term has to include fundamentals of nursing (or an equivalent course).
• Bring one or two instructor evaluations that show satisfactory performance of fundamental nursing skills.
• A BLS (CPR) certification is required. If you don't have it yet, you've got 30 days from your hire date to get it.
• After you start, there's a preceptor tool and core competency checklist to complete satisfactorily at 90 days, and then again every year.

A Couple Things That Would Be Nice

They aren't deal breakers, but they help paint the full picture of who usually thrives here.

• If you've got about a year of experience in an inpatient clinical setting already, that's definitely preferred.

The Schedule & The Support

The posting lists this as either part time or full time; they're looking for active students so schedules can often work around classes. And Encompass Health talks up its culture; they've won some "Best Places to Work" type awards and seem proud of how the team supports each other. They call it an environment built on support, advanced resources, and teamwork. Small victories leading to big change is their thing.

The Benefits That Kick In Day One

The benefits start when you do. For both part timers and full timers: