Perioperative OR Internship Program (Adult Operating Rooms)

Job Description

Discover Vanderbilt University Medical Center: Located in Nashville, Tennessee, VUMC operates at a global crossroads of teaching, discovery, and patient care. It is a vibrant community where individuals are united by the simple aim of changing the world. At Vanderbilt Health, your expertise will be valued, your knowledge expanded, and your abilities challenged. The organization is committed to fostering an environment where everyone has the chance to thrive, where uniqueness is sought and celebrated. Employees take exceptional pride in their work, knowing they are part of something bigger than themselves, and are continuously driven to surpass yesterday’s standards. Vanderbilt’s mission is to advance health and wellness through preeminent programs in patient care, education, and research.

Organization: Perioperative Education

About the Program: Perioperative OR Internship Program (Adult Operating Rooms)

Vanderbilt Medical Center invites applications for its upcoming Perioperative OR Internship Program, exclusively for the Adult Operating Rooms. This comprehensive program is designed for experienced Registered Nurses (RNs) who are looking to transition into an OR setting with adult patients and do not have prior operating room experience (or at least not in the last 5 years).

Program Schedule & Employment:

• Tentative Program Dates: July 20, 2026 – October 16, 2026
• Duration: Approximately 12.5 weeks
• Expected Schedule: Monday – Friday, approximately 6:45 a.m. – 3:15 p.m.
• Those selected for this program will be full-time employees of Vanderbilt Health, receiving competitive compensation and benefits.

Application Process & Key Dates:

• Application Acceptance Window: February 8, 2026 – March 27, 2026
• Upon application submission, candidates will receive a packet to complete.
• Completed Packet Submission Deadline: 12:00 noon CST on March 27, 2026.
• Strictly No Late Applications will be Accepted.

Eligibility & Qualifications:

• This posting is for Experienced RNs only.
• Candidates must have a minimum of one year of nursing experience, preferably in ICU or Med Surg.
• At the time of application, all candidates must have completed an approved Nursing program and possess an active RN License.
• To apply, candidates should not have any experience working in an operating room (or at least not in the last 5 years).
• Education: Graduate of an approved discipline specific program.
• Certifications: LIC-Registered Nurse – Licensure-Others.

Job Summary (General Nursing Responsibilities during the Internship):

As an intern in the Perioperative OR Program, you will apply the nursing process to plan and implement patient care, including patient and family education and continuum of care planning. You will effectively communicate pertinent patient/family information to the healthcare team, collaborate in establishing patient goals, and evaluate progress to ensure effective outcomes. Furthermore, you will engage in learning activities according to the Board of Nursing standards to foster professional growth.

Key Responsibilities:

• Collaborates in establishing the plan of care, coordinates and implements care delivery while anticipating patient care needs across the continuum.
• Analyzes comprehensive information pertinent to the patient’s care and management to determine nursing diagnosis.
• Continually utilizes the nursing process to evaluate patient’s progress towards goals and applies appropriate interventions to ensure effective outcomes.
• Employs strategies to promote health and a safe and healthy environment.
• The responsibilities listed are a general overview of the position, and additional duties may be assigned.

Technical Capabilities (Fundamental Awareness):

• Nursing Patient Assessment & Evaluation: Has limited experience, training, direct exposure, or past experience working with nursing patient assessment and evaluations.
• Nursing Patient Education: Has limited experience, training, direct exposure, or past experience working with patient education.
• Care Planning: Establishes realistic personal work goals and objectives. Demonstrates ability to anticipate basic resource needs, identify distinct tasks, set priorities, schedule activities, meet deadlines, and organize work for own assignments and responsibilities. Prepares and presents clear and accurate status reports on projects and assignments.
• Evidence-Based Practice: Recognizes nursing practice is research-based and questions or demonstrates curiosity about the scientific basis of practice.

Core Accountabilities:

• Organizational Impact: Delivers job responsibilities that impact own job area/team with some guidance.
• Problem Solving/Complexity of Work: Uses existing procedures, research, and analysis to solve standard job-related problems that may require some judgment.
• Breadth of Knowledge: Requires subject matter knowledge within a professional area to meet job requirements.
• Team Interaction: Individually contributes to project/work teams.

Core Capabilities:

• Supporting Colleagues: Continuously improves own skills, builds and maintains relationships, and communicates effectively.
• Delivering Excellent Services: Serves others with compassion, solves routine problems, and offers meaningful advice and support.
• Ensuring High Quality: Performs excellent work, ensures continuous improvement, and fulfills safety and regulatory requirements.
• Managing Resources Effectively: Demonstrates accountability, stewards organizational resources, and makes data-driven decisions.
• Fostering Innovation: Generates new ideas, applies technology, and adapts to change.

Vanderbilt Health is committed to fostering an environment where everyone has the chance to thrive and is committed to the principles of equal opportunity. EOE/Vets/Disabled.