Two Ivy Tech Community College-Columbus nursing students have been selected for the Student Nurse Extern Program of the Clarian Health system. The program is highly competitive, and the students were among hundreds who applied. Both will serve at Indiana University Hospital. Rebecca Dobbins will serve as an extern in the medical progressive care unit, assisting patients who are in intensive and critical care. Bethany Combs will serve as an extern in medical nursing, assisting patients whose situations are less critical in nature.
Student Nurse Externs (SNEs) are paid to work on a part-time basis at one of the nine Clarian Health locations. They work directly with patients and professional staff, learning and developing their skills in a real-world, clinical environment as they prepare for a career in nursing. Because the SNE Program offers such a valuable experience, the positions are highly coveted and the competition to be accepted into the program is intense. In order to be accepted, students must have completed at least one full semester of nursing clinicals, be attending an accredited school of nursing, submit two letters of professional reference, have a high grade point average, and be highly motivated.
Dobbins is a resident of Greenwood; Combs is a resident of Franklin. Both are planning to graduate with an Associate of Science in Nursing in May of 2011.