What will my schedule look like? Your work schedule will follow your clinical coach’s schedule. Nurse externs work 36 hours per week. You will be expected to be available for all shifts, including days, evenings, nights and weekends and holidays.  Nurse externs must commit to working all ten weeks of this program.  Work schedules typically become available in May and will come from the department you are hired for.

What is the rate of pay? The hourly rate of pay for 2025 Nurse Externs will be $20 per hour, plus differentials for evenings, nights and weekend shifts.

Will I need to purchase a uniform for the externship?  You may wear your nursing school uniform for the externship.  Select departments may provide hospital-issued scrubs.

Is housing available for the summer? Single or double occupancy air-conditioned rooms with laundry and kitchen facilities are reserved on the UW-Madison campus for a reasonable rate. A meal plan option can be purchased from a nearby university dining hall.  Pricing and location information will be made available in the spring.

Is parking available for the summer?  UW Health offers free Madison metro bus passes to all employees.  We encourage employees to take advantage of this resource.  More parking information is sent out to nurse externs in the spring.

Can I apply for the Nurse Residency Program while I am in the Nurse Externship?  Yes!  December 2026 graduates may begin applying for the 2027 Winter Nurse Residency Program in June 2026. Spring 2027 graduates can begin applying for 2027 Summer Nurse Residency cohorts in September 2026. 

Additional questions may be directed to: Adam Eder, Sr. Recruitment Specialist, AEder2@uwhealth.org.