Montana American Indian Nurse Internship

Download application HERE.

Eleven-Month American Indian Nurse Internship

Under the direction of Benefis Native American Programs, Montana American Indian Nurse Internship is an eleven-month, evidence based orientation, guided by an experienced unit based preceptor. Montana American Indian Nurse Internship Program is designed for new or recent American Indian BSN Registered Nurse graduates with no or limited acute care hospital experience (long term care & clinic experience is waived).

Launch Your Nursing Career

Experience in a large hospital with abundant clinical care opportunities, experienced staff, and a strong support system will afford nurse interns additional tools to prepare for a position in a Montana Reservation Indian Health Service (I.H.S.) hospital in-patient setting. Transition from Student Nurse to Professional Nurse Successful candidates will be assigned a nurse preceptor on a primary medical surgical unit. After six months experience on the primary assigned unit, additional specialty clinical experiences - identified as most needed by Indian Health Service hospitals/clinics, will be offered:

  • Cardiac
  • Maternal Child
  • ICU Step Down
  • Emergency Department

Critical care classes, such as ACLS, ECG and Dysrthymia classes will also be available.  Nurse interns will also gain experience with the Clinical Diabetic Educator and the Wound Care Team.

Who is Eligible?

Nursing students who are of American Indian descent.

Recent graduate who attended an accredited nursing program.

Applicant who has successfully passed NCLEX exam and possesses a Montana Nursing License (NCLEX review course will be offered free-of-charge to selected candidates).

Agree to seek employment in a Montana Indian Health Service Hospital (in-patient setting) after completing Montana American Indian Nurse Internship.

Living Accommodations

Interns are responsible for obtaining their own housing. Funds are available to assist with moving expense.

American Indian Liaison

A Benefis Native American Program employee will be available to assist interns who may need assistance with transition and absence from family/home and reservation.

Download application HERE.


For More Information

Please contact:

Jan Leishman-Donahue, RN, MSN
Montana American Indian Nurse Internship
Benefis Health System
Native American Programs
1101 26th Street South
Great Falls, Montana 59405
406.731.8264
800.544.9121

Montana American Indian Nurse Internship program is offered cooperatively by Benefis Hospitals, Inc., Great Falls, Montana, and Billings Clinic, Billings, Montana, and is funded by HRSA grant # 1D11HP19245-01-00, awarded to Benefis Hospitals.