Ready to take your nursing education beyond the classroom? The Student Nurse Academy gives nursing students the opportunity to gain meaningful, hands-on experience in a real hospital environment while learning alongside experienced Registered Nurses.
Designed for nursing students who have completed at least one semester of clinical rotations, this program helps you strengthen your clinical skills, build professional confidence, and experience the day-to-day realities of patient care—all in a supportive, precepted setting.
As a Student Nurse at Deaconess, you’ll have the opportunity to:
Gain hands-on patient care experience in a hospital setting
Work alongside and learn from experienced Registered Nurses and healthcare professionals
Communicate with patients, families, and members of the care team
Monitor and document vital signs and patient information
Perform duties delegated by licensed RN staff under appropriate supervision
Use clinical equipment and support routine patient care activities
Apply skills learned in nursing school to real-world clinical situations
Build confidence through mentorship, practice, and meaningful patient interactions
Your nursing journey is about more than completing clinical hours—it’s about becoming a confident, capable healthcare professional.
The Student Nurse Academy helps bridge the gap between classroom learning and real-world nursing practice, giving you valuable experience while building relationships with nursing staff and hospital leadership. You’ll develop practical skills, gain insight into hospital workflows, and grow your confidence as you prepare for the next step in your career.
Strong performance in the program may also open the door to future employment opportunities with Deaconess after graduation.
To participate in the Student Nurse Academy, applicants must:
Be currently enrolled in an accredited RN nursing program accredited by AACN, CCNE, or ACEN
Have successfully completed at least one semester of clinical rotation s prior to the start of the session
Maintain active BLS certification
Submit an unofficial transcript before the start of the session
Be in good academic standing within their nursing program
Level 1: $16.60/hour
Level 2: $17.60/hour
Level 3: $18.60/hour
Turn your classroom knowledge into real-world experience. Build your confidence. Learn from experienced nurses. And take the next step toward your nursing career with the Student Nurse Academy.
Deaconess Health System is the premiere provider of health care services to a population of more than 1.5 million in southwestern Indiana, western Kentucky and southeastern Illinois. Serving a population of more than 1.5 million residents, the system consists of 20 wholly owned, joint ventured, sponsored or affiliated hospital locations situated throughout the Tri-State.
Deaconess Health System is the largest employer in the tri-state region, and operates under the direction of a local board, with a local focus. Deaconess is widely recognized for its commitment to excellence. Named the #2 Hospital in Indiana by US News & World Report for the past six years, Deaconess was also named to the Forbes list of America’s Best Employers in 2022 and 2023, 2024 and 2025.
As our organization continues to grow and expand, we welcome skilled, dedicated and compassionate individuals to join us in delivering The Deaconess Difference: putting people at the center of everything we do, making a positive difference in the lives of our patients, families, employees and community.
Browse our site to learn more about our convenient locations, expert services, community involvement, and much more.
Our commitment to progressive, patient-centered care guides our work every day as our priorities are set and decisions are made with a local focus and direction.
