Medical-Surgical Nursing Student Practicum (Earn As You Learn) - Mercy St. Louis - Fall 2026

Mercy Hospital St. Louis

Earn As You Learn (EAYL) Program

Medical-Surgical Service Line

Now Accepting Applications for Fall 2026 - Build the strongest foundation for your nursing career!

Are you entering the final semester of your RN or LPN nursing program? Complete your senior practicum with Mercy Hospital St. Louis while earning a $2,000 stipend through our Earn As You Learn (EAYL) program!

Mercy's Medical-Surgical Service Line offers nursing students the opportunity to gain hands-on clinical experience while working alongside experienced bedside nurses, clinical educators, and nursing leaders who are committed to helping you succeed. Through this program, you will strengthen your assessment skills, clinical judgment, prioritization, communication, and confidence while caring for a diverse patient population in a supportive learning environment.

As an Earn As You Learn participant, you will:

- Earn a $2,000 stipend upon successful completion of your senior practicum
- Gain hands-on experience caring for medical and surgical patients alongside experienced Mercy nurses
- Develop confidence transitioning from nursing student to professional nurse
- Strengthen your assessment, clinical judgment, and time-management skills

- Build relationships with nurse managers and leaders before graduation
- Create a direct pathway into a Graduate Nurse position with Mercy
- Launch your nursing career with one of the region's premier healthcare organizations!

Why Start Your Career in Medical-Surgical Nursing?
Medical-Surgical nursing is the foundation of nursing practice and provides one of the most valuable clinical experiences for developing nurses.

During your practicum, you will care for patients with a wide range of medical and surgical conditions while learning to prioritize care, collaborate with interdisciplinary teams, and provide compassionate, evidence-based nursing care.

The skills developed in Medical-Surgical nursing create a strong foundation for long-term career growth. Whether you continue your career in Medical-Surgical nursing or pursue another specialty in the future, the experience you gain will prepare you for success throughout your nursing career.

Many of Mercy's nurse leaders, educators, and specialty nurses began their careers in Medical-Surgical nursing!

Eligibility & Program Requirements
To participate in Mercy's Earn As You Learn (EAYL) Program, applicants must:
1. Be enrolled in the final semester of an accredited RN or LPN nursing program (December 2026 Grad).
2. Complete their senior practicum within Mercy Hospital St. Louis Medical-Surgical Service Line.
3. Accept a bedside nursing position with Mercy upon graduation.
4. Commit to a minimum six-month employment agreement following graduation.
*Students are encouraged to complete their practicum on the unit where they hope to begin their nursing career.

What You'll Gain
As an Earn As You Learn participant, you'll:
- Receive individualized mentorship from experienced Mercy nurses.
- Apply classroom knowledge in a real-world clinical environment.
- Develop confidence before graduation.
- Learn Mercy's culture, technology, and patient care standards.
- Build lasting relationships with future teammates and leaders.
- Transition more confidently into your first RN role.

Ready to Launch Your Nursing Career?
If you're passionate about delivering exceptional patient care and are looking for a supportive environment where you can learn, grow, and begin your nursing career, we'd love to connect with you!

Spots are limited! Apply today for Mercy Hospital St. Louis' Earn As You Learn Medical-Surgical Nursing Student Practicum for Fall 2026.

Questions? Contact Robert.Schmidt@Mercy.net

From day one, Mercy offers outstanding benefits - including medical, dental, and vision coverage, paid time off, tuition support, and matched retirement plans for team members working 32+ hours per pay period.

Join a caring, collaborative team where your voice matters. At Mercy, you'll help shape the future of healthcare through innovation, technology, and compassion. As we grow, you'll grow with us.