Explore Undergraduate Learning Opportunities
Welcome Students
Sanford Health and Good Samaritan offer student programs and internships throughout the year, providing mentoring, professional development and growth opportunities to those interested in a variety of health care careers. As the largest employer in the Dakotas, and one of the largest health care systems in the nation, we offer exciting opportunities to gain real world experience and build useful skills to prepare you for the future.
Explore our opportunities below.
Research Programs links off-site
Our facilities serve as clinical training sites for thousands of students every year. We are proud to partner with accredited secondary educational institutions to provide students with hands-on opportunities. We partner with these regional institutions: the University of South Dakota, the University of North Dakota, North Dakota State University, South Dakota State University, Augustana University and Concordia College.
Child life internships are designed to introduce students to the role of a child life specialist in a variety of pediatric health care settings. Experiences can include inpatient and outpatient settings with the opportunity for students to apply knowledge and techniques when working alongside certified child life specialists as a part of the care team.
PLEASE NOTE: A PRACTICUM EXPERIENCE OCCURS PRIOR TO COMPLETING AN INTERNSHIP. A CHILD LIFE PRACTICUM DOES NOT REPLACE A 600 HOUR CHILD LIFE INTERNSHIP, WHICH IS REQUIRED FOR CERTIFICATION.
The Sanford Children’s Child Life Practicum is designed as an introductory experience for individuals interested in pursuing a career in child life. Through experiential learning and observation of Certified Child Life Specialists, Child Life practicum students begin to increase their knowledge of evidence-based, developmentally-appropriate interventions including therapeutic play, preparation and education that support and reduce fear, anxiety and pain for infants, children, youth and families as they cope with the stress and uncertainty of illness, injury and treatment. Through these experiences, child life practicum students will enhance their knowledge of the child life profession and investigate the process of applying child life and developmental theory to practice.
The medical laboratory science programs provide students with the opportunity to develop the knowledge, skills and confidence necessary to pursue a career as a clinical laboratory scientist. Each program consists of a combination of didactic classroom instruction and hands-on clinical laboratory training using the latest technologies.
Nursing students who have completed their third year of a baccalaureate nursing program and a minimum of two semesters of clinical experience are encouraged to consider the Summer Nurse Internship Program. Summer nurse interns gain hands-on experience, expanding their clinical skills and knowledge in a variety of care settings.
The pharmacy internship program offers pre-pharmacy and current pharmacy students the opportunity to immerse themselves in pharmacy operations involved in either the inpatient hospital setting or outpatient retail setting. Interns are involved with medication filling, dispensing, and patient education.
Sanford Health offers a variety of training options in radiologic technology. Students gain experience through didactic classroom instruction and clinical training in all areas of diagnostic radiology. A variety of professional positions await students upon completion of the programs in both clinical and non-clinical settings.
Prepare for a career in respiratory therapy through the NDSU/Sanford Respiratory Care Program.
Art encourages wellness through creativity, the arts and art activities. This internship opportunity teaches students what it means to work in a health care setting, as well as how artistic talents can impact patient and family experiences in a clinical environment.
Through extensive didactic and clinical instruction, Sanford Health sonography program students develop the skills necessary to become successful registered sonographers. Students engage in pediatric and adult echocardiography, as well as general and vascular sonography coursework. They can also explore other areas of interest.
All non-clinical internships are 12-week paid positions open to current undergraduate college juniors, seniors and recent graduates with a record of outstanding achievement and leadership abilities. Sessions follow the fall, spring and summer academic semesters with a maximum of 400 hours per session.
Administrative interns assist in the completion of projects and administrative duties and gain exposure to the responsibilities of a health care administrator. Here, you will work collaboratively with organization leadership, enhancing knowledge and skills and improving the delivery of quality healthcare.
Finance supports the operational and strategic plans driving Sanford Health’s performance through financial planning, budgeting, accounting, audit, tax, treasury, accounts payable and more. Finance internships provide hands-on experiences with these services within a large integrated health system.
The marketing department works to elevate the Sanford Health brand and drive business outcomes in coordination with enterprise and regional objectives. There are a variety of disciplines for interns to experience, ranging from strategy and events to research, writing and graphic design.
In the human resources department, interns have the opportunity to practice a variety of responsibilities including completing pre- and post-offer administrative tasks, preparing job postings and conducting intake sessions. Engaging with each area provides interns with a well-rounded, holistic experience.
IT interns collaborate with IT departmental associates and management to gain exposure to the many roles and responsibilities of Sanford’s IT department. Interns work with application project management and systems support to contribute to Sanford operations and processes while obtaining first hand experiences that align with the mission, vision, and values of the organization.
Supply chain management supports the operational and strategic plans driving Sanford Health’s performance through sourcing, coordinating, transporting and delivering supplies across the enterprise. Interns advance their understanding of opportunities in the supply chain management profession and grow their skills and abilities.
Interns work with teams to ensure organizational compliance and analysis of risk and emergency management programs. Interns also gain experience with the legal and policy management aspects of healthcare. This is a well-rounded internship experience where interns work closely with others and experience high caliber partnerships at work.
Sanford Health offers a variety of wellness internship opportunities. Power program interns work closely with strength and conditioning coaches to develop all types of programming from exercise progressions and lifting techniques to agility drills, while learning from physical therapists, athletic trainers, sports nutritionists and biomechanists. Wellness Center and Pentagon interns are invited to learn various aspects of the business in a hands-on role, including operations, programs, events, and more.
Upcoming Events
If you're interested in a career at Sanford or Good Sam, be sure to check out our upcoming hiring events to see when we'll be in your area. Our team of recruiters attend over 300 events across our footprint every year. We also offer a customized virtual event experience for candidates who cannot make it in person. When you attend, you're able to chat 1-on-1 with an HR professional and identify opportunities to start your career at Sanford Health and Good Samaritan.
Student Resources
Aspire by Sanford offers a wide variety of career coaching services to help students along their professional career journey. All Sanford and Good Samaritan employees, interns and students enrolled in K-12 programs have access to the entire gamut of services, and you can pick and choose what would be most helpful to you through our a la carte menu. Aspire by Sanford services include technical pieces like writing or reviewing your resume, creating a cover letter or enhancing interview skills. Our Career Exploration services also lead you into self-discovery through goal setting, motivational exercises, and career interest inventories. This means your coaching sessions are designed and tailored uniquely for your needs. All of our Aspire by Sanford services are listed and explained below.
Learn more at https://sanfordcareers.com/aspire-by-sanford/.
Finding your Path: What Type of Learner are you?
In order to have a successful college experience, you need to first think about what kind of learner you are. Everyone learns in different ways, and the type of learner you are should factor into your choice of college.
Luckily, colleges offer multiple different options that cater to your lifestyle. Continue reading to discover which class style fits around your life, and will put you on the path to your dream career!
On-site
On-site classes give you the traditional brick-and-mortar college experience. If you’re the type who thrives off social interaction and collaborative learning, a brick-and-mortar college experience may be a good fit for you.
Students have pre-determined, structured class schedules. Classes may overlap or conflict with your work and/or personal life, so you must plan accordingly.
On-site classes provide opportunity for face-to-face interaction. You also get the opportunity to receive hands-on learning and training.
Hybrid
Hybrid courses offer the efficiency and flexibility of online schedules along with the opportunity to sit down and talk to instructors and classmates when needed. It allows you to learn at your own pace.
Working on group projects online can be difficult if you never meet any of your classmates in person. With hybrid courses, you get the opportunity to sit down with your classmates and collaborate in person.
Hybrid classes provide you with both on-site and online experiences. If you are someone who likes face-to-face interaction but also likes the flexibility of online courses, going the hybrid route might be for you.
Online
Digital material is usually used for most courses. Fees for online textbooks and other resources are generally cheaper compared to standard textbook fees you would pay for on-site courses.
Online classes can be very flexible. Instructors post videos, presentations, and other content online so you may learn at your own convenience. This allows your class schedule to work around your home and work schedule.
Online courses help teach you self-motivation and self-discipline. You are able to choose the number of credits, or semesters, that work best for your academic ability and amount of study time.
Public Colleges/Universities
- In-state student pays lower tuition
- Cost: $$ (review college’s net cost calculator)
- Full-time, part-time students
- Community, Technical, Undergraduate, Graduate, and Doctoral degrees
- Onsite courses with online programs offered
- Faculty have required advanced degrees
- Accredited degrees and programs
Questions & Considerations:
- Funding: scholarships, grants, & student debt
- Student acceptance rates into program
- Student to instructor ratios
- Board exam pass rates
Private Colleges
- Independent school with focus: e.g. religion, military
- State residency is not a factor
- Cost $$$ (review college’s net cost calculator)
- Focus on undergraduate
- Faculty focus on teaching
- Courses offered on-site; some online or hybrid
- Faculty have required advanced degrees
- Accredited degree and programs
Question & Considerations:
- Funding: scholarships, grants, & student debt
- Program reputation
- Board exam pass rates
For-Profit Private
- Run by publicly traded corporations, profit oriented
- State residency is not a factor
- Cost: $$$$$ (review college’s net cost calculator)
- Usually quarter-length courses
- Less selective student admission
- Non-traditional college atmosphere
- Instructors focus on predetermined curriculum
- May have non-accredited degree
Question & Considerations:
- Placement rates of students post-graduation
- Student support and access to instructors
- Faculty’s credential, experience & education
- Instructor’s assistance in securing clinical placement
- Accreditation status of school and program
- Board exam pass rates
- Student debt
Whether you’re an employee, child of an employee, veteran, military member, or looking to pursue a medical career, Sanford Health offers a variety of scholarship and sponsorship programs to help fund your post-secondary education.
Aim to Create Something that:
- Readers will notice and remember
- Stands out from other essays
- Showcases that you are interesting, capable, positive
- Highlights you as the student scholarship recipient
Step 1: Review Requirements
- Review: scholarship requirements, criteria, and minimum qualifications
- Read instructions on formatting, length, deadline, and questions to address
- Know who will read the essay
- Research the specific scholarship and organization
- Do not use the same essay for every application
Step 2: Draft an Outline
- Introduction
- Catch the reader’s attention and spark their interest. Introduce main points and yourself, e.g. your nursing career or work
- Body
- Provide details of main points and write to convince the reader why you should be chosen for scholarship
- Provide examples of character, personal strengths, inspirations, interest in nursing, previous work, leadership, volunteer experience, and membership of organizations
- Identify educational and nursing career goals, what you will do with this degree, and how the scholarship will help you achieve your goals
- Conclusion
- Summarize the points made within the essay and connect the story
- Provide a confident and interesting conclusion to leave a lasting impression
Step 3: Unique Information
- Include challenges in life, e.g. opportunities to stand out from others
- Personal nursing experiences or nursing stories e.g. start with “I….”
- Provide how you would utilize the scholarship e.g. start your nursing career or advance your nursing career
Step 4: Proofread
- Check content, grammar, spelling, punctuation
- Check writing: is it clear and to the point (no repeating thoughts, ideas)
- Check: is it a logical progression of ideas
- IMPORTANT: have 3-4 other people read the essay & provide feedback
Be concise and organized
Be sure to make education, graduation date, and contact information simple to find and easy to view. Strive to keep your resume short and concise. Instead of deleting important information, craft it into bullet points or shortened summarized phrases. This will give you talking points and an opportunity to explain further in the interview.
Past experience matters
This may be your first registered nurse position, but don’t leave out previous experience altogether. Avoid filling your resume with lines of only clinical rotation experience. Previous experience, volunteer time, and campus involvement may not be direct health care experience but it is still very important. These experiences can display customer service, work ethic, responsibility and trust, which are all highly desired traits in a registered nurse.
Tailor to fit the company
Take a few extra minutes to tailor each application you submit. Tailor your cover letter and resume to include relatable information. First: get creative and incorporate company-specific information into your resume and cover letter. Next: review the job specifics with your materials, making sure you haven’t left any of your qualifications out that can relate to the position.
Do’s
- Be concise, organized and professional
- Have information that is easy to find and in short phrases
- Include professional contact information
- Include education, previous employment, volunteer work, community involvement, certifications, and licensure information
- Tailor resume to fit the company and use key words from the job description
- Include qualifications that may be important to the job
- Use professional fonts, e.g. Arial size 12
- Standardize format and font size for cover letter and resume
- Proof read before submitting for spelling and grammatical errors
- Send resume in PDF form
Don'ts
- Include clinical rotation experience from school
- Overuse capital letters
- Include reference names and contact information
Choose Your Reference
Ask a direct supervisor, professional mentor, a recent employer, or an academic instructor who can provide relevant information regarding the current stage of your career or education.
Find someone who:
- Will help others get to know you
- Can attest to your abilities, qualifications, work experience, job qualifications, and skills
- Is one of your first academic degree connections
- Speaks highly of you and your character
Be Respectful and Professional
Ways to frame your request include, "Do you think you know my work well enough to provide me with a reference?" or "Do you feel comfortable giving me a reference?” These suggestions provide those whom you ask an option to say yes or no.
Give plenty of notice for completion of the reference.
Know your references’ position titles and contact information, and ask how they like to be contacted.
Create a Reference List
Print the list to bring with you to interviews and to send to employers who specifically request references with your initial job application materials.
Employers most often expect a list of three references, so have at least three or four contacts ready to provide. The extra one is handy just in case the prospective employer is unable to reach the original names provided.
Proofread and Double Check:
- Grammar, spelling, and punctuation are correct
- Contact information is up to date
Prepare yourself
View the company website and familiarize yourself with their mission, values and initiatives. Review the position posting and prepare questions you want to ask during the interview. You’re not expected to know it all, but taking the time to learn a little bit about the company and having questions to ask shows you’re interested in the company and eager to learn more!
Bring an open mind
You may know exactly what specialty area you’re interested in, but come with an open mind to learn more. Applying to multiple units gives you potential for a variety of interviews and offers. Learning more about each department and the specific skills they require will help you make a well-educated decision on where you want to be within the hospital.
Situational question readiness
“Describe a time when you made an error and what you did to overcome it.” These types of situational questions can catch even the most experienced interviewee off guard. You can prepare for these types of questions with the STAR model. The star acronym stands for situation, task, action, and result which are the steps you should take when answering a behavioral based interview question.