About the role#
The Operating Room Internship is a full-time, competency-based program designed to transition practical nurses into the surgical setting. Interns receive hands-on training through clinical preceptorships, seminars, workshops, and simulation exercises. The program focuses on orienting participants to the scrub role, cultivating teamwork, and bridging the gap between academic preparation and professional practice.
What you'll do#
As an intern, you will function as an integral member of the surgical team. Your daily responsibilities include:
- Checking supplies and equipment required for surgical procedures.
- Scrubbing, gowning, and gloving yourself and other surgical team members.
- Setting up sterile tables with instruments, medications, and supplies.
- Performing accurate counts with the circulator before operations and prior to incision closure.
- Assisting with draping the sterile field.
- Passing instruments, retractors, and sutures to the surgeon while anticipating team needs.
- Maintaining strict sterile technique throughout every procedure.
- Handling surgical specimens, medications, and sharps in accordance with safety policies.
What you'll need#
- Current enrollment as a Practical Nurse student with a prospective graduation date or status as a Licensed Practical Nurse.
- Eligibility to sit for the NCLEX-PN and the ability to obtain licensure prior to the internship start date.
- Current BLS certification.
- Ability to meet physical requirements, including standing for up to 8 hours, walking for extended periods, and lifting or pushing heavy surgical equipment.
Location & details#
This is an on-site, full-time internship with rolling start dates. Opportunities are available at various campuses in Allentown and Easton, Pennsylvania.
About St. Luke's University Health Network
St. Luke's University Health Network is a nonprofit health care provider founded in 1872. Based in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, the network employs over 11,000 people. It operates across multiple locations in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. The system provides specialized care in areas including oncology, cardiology, neuroscience, and orthopedics.
How to get in at St. Luke's University Health Network
Applying early to St. Luke's University Health Network gives you a distinct advantage because recruiters review applications before the volume of candidates becomes unmanageable. Intern Insider sends an instant alert the moment a role matching your target is published, so you can submit your materials among the first. This timing often separates the candidates who get a screening call from those who remain in the queue. You can also improve your response rates by reaching out to the hiring team directly. Intern Insider surfaces the recruiters behind the company's roles, allowing you to ask relevant questions or request a referral. Connecting with the right person often provides the clarity you need to tailor your application effectively.
