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Twenty-nine enthusiastic nursing students gathered with leaders, nurses and other team members, and family members to celebrate the successful completion of the 2026 Summer Nursing Externship Program for UVA Health’s community hospitals in Manassas, Haymarket, and Culpeper, Virginia.

The ceremony included certificates of completion from Michelle Strider, MBA, RN, CPHQ, Chief Nursing Officer; April Morrison, MSN, RN, Director, Nursing Professional Practice; and Katherine McNamara, MSN, RN, Student and Clinical Program Manager. UVA Health team members cheered as they acknowledged the participants' crossing of the finish line!

Strider shared stories from her own journey, which began 17 years ago as an RN in this organization. Reflecting on both the rewarding and challenging moments along the way, she encouraged the students to stay the course, reminding them that their hard work will be worth it. Few things are as rewarding as this work, she noted, and the students have already demonstrated their commitment throughout the summer.

Following the ceremony, students and UVA Health team members gathered for lunch — sharing reflections and discussing their experiences throughout the eight-week program.

Collaborative Culture

The Summer Nursing Externship Program for UVA Health’s community hospitals in Prince William County and Culpeper is designed to support the next generation of nurses while strengthening patient care across UVA Health community medical centers and clinics. The paid, full-time, eight-week externship provides nursing students entering their final year of nursing school with valuable hands-on clinical experience under the guidance of experienced registered nurses. Externs work alongside dedicated preceptors, follow their schedules, and gain practical knowledge to complement their classroom education while experiencing UVA Health’s collaborative culture.

Strong Pathway

The summer externship program is open to nursing students entering the final year of an accredited nursing program with an anticipated graduation date by the spring semester. The program runs for eight weeks during June and July. After completing orientation, students work 36 to 40 hours per week, typically consisting of three 12-hour shifts. Externs gain firsthand experience of working hospital shifts by working either day or night shifts based on their assigned preceptor schedule.

“The Nursing Externship Program is an investment in the future of nursing and in the communities we serve,” says Strider. “By giving nursing students meaningful clinical experiences alongside our nurses and care teams — we help them build confidence, strengthen their skills, and begin to see themselves as part of the profession. Just as importantly, we are creating a strong pathway for talented future nurses to begin and grow their careers at UVA Health.”

Students who successfully complete the externship become eligible to receive employment offers upon graduation, creating a direct pipeline into nursing careers at UVA Health. Several students also choose to remain with UVA Health following the externship, continuing their hands-on learning and contributing to patient care at their assigned facilities.

During the 2026 Summer program, externs gained experience in a variety of clinical settings across UVA Health, including:

UVA Health Culpeper Medical Center

• Acute Care
• Emergency Department
• Women’s Services

UVA Health Haymarket Medical Center

• Acute Care
• Emergency Department

UVA Health Prince William Medical Center

• Acute Care
• Emergency Department
• Behavioral Health

To introduce future nursing students to the program, members of the UVA Health recruitment team plan to visit local nursing schools this fall.