The LPN Extern Program at Lake Charles Memorial Health System is for senior nursing students currently enrolled and working toward their LPN degree. It gives the student a chance to prepare themselves for a smoother entry into the professional, hospital environment by following an experienced LPN. Under the supervision of LPNs, the externs are allowed to perform certain nursing skills after being checked off on those skills. The Extern rotates through 4 different departments every month, so that they may get the opportunity to explore a variety of nursing fields to identify the best career fit for them.

The four departments are 4 tower medical/surgical, 5 tower ortho/neuro, 7 tower medical/surgical, and the different psych floors including Archer Institute.

• Externs receive a stipend every two weeks. Stipends are paid every pay period which equals $1500 by the end of the semester.
• Senior LPN nursing students are hired one semester before graduation.
• Externs are required to work 150 hours.
• After graduation, the LPN is required to work for LCMH full-time in one of the four departments mentioned above for 1 year after passing boards.

Interested applicants can apply in March and October of every year on our LCMH website here. Go to Education Department-> Click LPN Extern->Submit Application & Resume.

Senior nursing students should look at the LPN Extern Program as an ongoing interview process. It gives them a chance to meet and work with staff and managers on different units. We offer the student a chance to receive more clinical experience in a hospital setting to make their transition from student nurse to LPN as smooth as possible and give them a chance to acclimate to our hospital culture.

Questions can be directed to Nikki Galloway at ngalloway@lcmh.com or Kristy Denison at kdenison@lcmh.com.