15 Healthcare Internships for High School Students in Nebraska
Participating in a healthcare internship allows high school students to see how medical concepts are applied. By shadowing professionals or assisting in a clinical setting, you gain experience that can help you clarify whether a career in medicine, nursing, or public health is the right fit for you. These roles help build a standout resume and strengthen your soft skills like empathy and teamwork, which boost your odds of getting into top colleges.
What healthcare internships are available for high school students in Nebraska?
High school students in Nebraska have access to a range of healthcare internships offered by major research centers and rural community clinics. Large institutions like the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha and Children’s Nebraska offer opportunities ranging from biomedical research to clinical shadowing in pediatrics and surgery. Beyond the major cities, regional organizations such as Regional West Health Services and Kearney Regional Medical Center provide rotations that allow you to see a hospital’s operations, including nursing, radiology, and emergency services.
To help you get started, below, we have listed 15 internships for high school students in Nebraska that offer healthcare experience.
1. Travis B. Lewis High School Scholarship Award Program
Location: University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE
Stipend: $1,500
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; only 4–5 students
Dates: June 1 – August 7
Application Deadline: February 1
Eligibility: High school students (16+) with a minimum 3.0 GPA and U.S. citizenship
The Travis B. Lewis Scholarship Award Program gives high school students a paid opportunity to conduct hands-on biomedical research at UNMC alongside faculty and graduate mentors in state-of-the-art laboratories focusing on areas like neurodegeneration and immunology. Over the 10-week summer term, you’ll learn research techniques, participate in lab meetings and seminars, contribute to projects that broaden scientific knowledge, and present your findings to peers. You also receive a stipend, an award plaque, and a rich research experience that strengthens college applications and prepares you for future study in health-related fields.
2. Ladder Internship Program
Location: Remote
Cost/Stipend: Cost varies by program; financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 10–25%; 70–100 students
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter
Application Deadline: Varies depending on the cohort; Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November); apply here
Eligibility: High school students, undergraduates, and gap year students who can work for 10-20 hours/week, for 8-12 weeks
In the Ladder Internship Program, you join a selective virtual track covering topics like health tech, mental health, and medical research. You will spend your time defining project goals, conducting industry research, attending professional development workshops, and presenting a final deliverable to startup leadership. The program is unique for its dual-mentorship model, pairing you with both a startup manager and a dedicated Ladder Coach for personalized guidance. Through this hands-on work, you will sharpen essential skills like time management, professional communication, and problem-solving. This experience allows you to build a high-level professional network while bridging the gap between classroom learning and the fast-paced world of healthcare innovation.
3. NextGen Careers in Health Care (Nebraska Medicine & Clarkson College)
Location: Nebraska Medicine partner sites & Clarkson College, Omaha, NE
Stipend: Paid, amount not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; limited spots
Dates: Spring and Fall cohorts available with flexible schedules around school
Application Deadline: Spring: April | Fall: September
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors (16+), enrolled in a participating Omaha Public Schools high school (Buena Vista High, North High, Northwest High)
This program allows you to work paid, entry-level healthcare jobs at Nebraska Medicine while earning hands-on experience and building professional skills alongside clinicians and support staff. You’ll receive training and mentorship from healthcare professionals and may earn work-based learning credit or support toward further certification through Clarkson College. Available roles range from certified nursing assistant and medical receptionist to pharmacy technician and IT support, letting you explore different aspects of healthcare before college. This program is ideal if you want real workplace experience, a paycheck, and a stronger resume while still in high school.
4. H‑STAR Fellowship (High School Anesthesiology Research Program)
Location: University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE
Stipend: $1,500
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; 5–6 high school students each year
Dates: 10-week program starting June 1
Application Deadline: February 1
Eligibility: High school sophomores and juniors who are 16+ and U.S. citizens or permanent residents
The H-STAR Fellowship (High School Summer Training in Anesthesia Research) is a prestigious, niche research program within the University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC). It places motivated high school students in the STAR summer research program at UNMC’s Department of Anesthesiology. You’ll work full‑time with clinical scientists on biomedical research projects and gain experience with lab techniques. You will also attend weekly scientific seminars, interact closely with mentors, and present your research at the end of the 10‑week session, helping you build critical research skills and deepen your understanding of how science drives advances in medicine.
5. University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) – High School Alliance Program
Location: UNMC campus, Omaha, NE
Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; 65 students annually
Dates: Full academic year (August – May)
Application Deadline: January 24
Eligibility: Currently enrolled high school juniors and seniors (16+) in a participating high school for the entire school year, completed and received a minimum “B” grade in Algebra 1, Biology, a physical science course, and a third year of science
The UNMC High School Alliance is a year-long enrichment program where juniors and seniors take college-level health science classes and get hands-on exposure to medicine on the University of Nebraska Medical Center campus, learning directly from faculty and healthcare professionals. You’ll observe, shadow, and interact with doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and researchers while completing accredited coursework not offered in typical high school curricula. With only 65 spots available each year, admission is competitive, and students usually attend afternoon sessions during the school year, making this a strong option for Nebraskaians aiming to gain real healthcare experience before college.
6. CHI Health – Health Care Career Exploration Camp
Location: CHI Health facilities in St. Francis (Grand Island, NE) and Good Samaritan (Kearney, NE)
Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Moderately selective; limited cohort size
Dates: June 10–11
Application Deadline: Mid-April
Eligibility: Incoming 10th–12th grade Nebraska high school students
The Health Care Career Exploration Camp is a free, short summer day camp that helps Nebraska high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors explore a wide range of health care careers. You will engage in interactive learning, activities, and facility tours at CHI Health hospitals with professionals from clinical and non-clinical roles. You’ll also participate in group activities, learn what different departments and jobs look like day-to-day, and get exposure to potential paths before college, all in a supportive environment designed to help you clarify your interests in health care.
7. Children’s Nebraska Career Quest
Location: Children’s Nebraska, Omaha, NE
Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Non-competitive; approximately 25–30 students per session
Dates: March 28 (Also held in the Fall)
Application Deadline: Rolling basis
Eligibility: High school students
Children’s Nebraska Career Quest is a free exploration event that gives high school students a chance to learn about multiple healthcare roles by rotating through departments like nursing, pharmacy, medical lab, radiology, respiratory therapy, behavioral health, and more. You engage in hands-on activities and demonstrations that show what healthcare careers are really like. You’ll meet professionals from pediatric care and other specialties, ask questions about day-to-day responsibilities, and get insights from college reps who can help you plan your next steps. This program is a good option if you want practical exposure before committing to a longer internship or degree program.
8. UNMC Summer High School Advanced Research Program (SHARP)
Location: University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE
Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; 5–10 students per year
Dates: June 1 – August 7
Application Deadline: February 1
Eligibility: High school sophomores and juniors who are 16+ and U.S. citizens or permanent residents, who have completed a science course including chemistry, biology, and others, and have a minimum 3.0 CGPA
The UNMC Summer High School Advanced Research Program (SHARP) is a 10-week research experience that places high school students in real biomedical labs on the UNMC campus. Here, you’ll learn hands-on techniques, work with data, and deepen your understanding of research methods. Throughout the program, you’ll participate in seminars, develop a research poster, and present your work to faculty and peers. Because you work directly with research teams and complete meaningful projects, SHARP is ideal if you’re considering future study or careers in medicine, clinical research, or biomedical science.
9. Columbus Community Hospital Junior Volunteer Program
Location: Columbus, Nebraska
Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Non-selective; approximately 70–75 active students per year
Dates: Year–round
Application Deadline: Rolling basis
Eligibility: High school students aged 14 to 18; must commit to a minimum of one year of service
In the Columbus Community Hospital VolunTEEN program, you get an up-close look at the daily operations of a community-focused medical facility. Your time is spent supporting patients and staff across diverse topics like rehabilitative services, acute care, and hospital hospitality. You will assist in the Child Care Center, guide visitors at the information desk, and support therapists in the "Wiggles & Giggles" pediatric therapy department. The program is unique for its "head start" philosophy, offering dedicated VolunTEEN scholarships and a year-round commitment that integrates you into the hospital family. Through this service, you will sharpen your professional communication, empathy, and time-management skills while building a solid foundation for a future medical career.
10. Southeast Nebraska AHEC Job Shadowing
Location: Southeast Nebraska Area Health Education Center (various health facilities across southeast Nebraska)
Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Non-selective; cohort sizes vary based on facility and preceptor availability
Dates: Year‑round (scheduled individually by request)
Application Deadline: Rolling basis
Eligibility: High school sophomores, juniors, and seniors (age 16+)
Southeast Nebraska AHEC offers healthcare job shadowing experiences for high school students so you can observe professionals in real clinical environments and see what various roles are like day‑to‑day. You’ll observe departments such as nursing, radiology, pharmacy, physical and occupational therapy, physician and dental practices, public health, and more. Because shadowing is coordinated with hospitals or clinics, you’ll gain firsthand insight into workplace expectations, communication skills, and the routines of healthcare teams, valuable experience to strengthen your resume and clarify your career interests before college or advanced training.
11. Methodist Health System Volunteen Program
Location: Methodist Hospital and Methodist Women's Hospital, Omaha, Nebraska
Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; cohort size varies annually based on departmental needs and hospital availability
Dates: Year–round; Summer session typically runs between June and August
Application Deadline: Year–round: Rolling basis; Summer: Early March
Eligibility: Incoming and current Omaha metro-area high school students between the ages of 14 and 18 who commit to one year of service
In this year-round program, you will gain experience in medical operations while learning about patient services, hospital workflow, and safety protocols. Your shifts will involve greeting visitors at information desks, answering phones, delivering flowers to patient rooms, and assisting staff with tasks like restocking supply cabinets. This unique opportunity requires a long-term commitment of at least one year, helping you build lasting professional relationships across various hospital departments. Through these daily interactions, you will develop vital interpersonal skills, time management, and a deep sense of empathy for patients. You'll gain a practical understanding of hospital culture and the professionalism required for a future career in medicine. By volunteering consistently, you demonstrate the dedication needed to succeed in the competitive healthcare field.
12. UT Southwestern: Inspiring Careers in Mental Health Internship
Location: Virtual
Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; small cohort sizes
Dates: June 1–5; June 8–12
Application Deadline: Early February
Eligibility: Rising high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors who live either in the United States or on a U.S. armed forces base or diplomatic post
The UT Southwestern High School Student Internship is a two-week virtual summer experience that introduces rising 10th–12th graders to a wide range of careers in mental health and behavioral sciences through online sessions led by clinician-scientists, including psychiatrists, neuropsychologists, licensed clinical social workers, and physician assistants. You’ll begin with pre-session readings and then participate in discussions, case conferences, and Q&A sessions with professionals in psychotherapy, behavioral assessment, neuroscience, community psychiatry, and emergency psychiatry. The program also offers virtual site visits with clinical teams and provides a realistic picture of what working in mental health looks like.
13. Health Science Explorers Academy (University of Nebraska at Kearney)
Location: UNK Campus, Kearney, Nebraska
Cost: $75 tuition
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; limited to 25 students per year
Dates: September – May
Application Deadline: Rolling basis until full
Eligibility: Incoming 11th and 12th grade students
In the Health Science Explorers Academy, you will spend your senior or junior year diving into a wide array of medical fields, including nursing, sports medicine, medical imaging, and behavioral health. Throughout your monthly sessions on the UNK campus, you will participate in activities like dissecting cow hearts, practicing clinical suturing, and navigating advanced medical simulations. You also tour regional healthcare facilities and meet with specialized professionals like flight nurses and surgeons. A standout feature of this program is the direct mentorship from University of Nebraska faculty and the $1,000 scholarship you earn toward your room and board at UNK upon completion.
14. Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program (ASSIP) – George Mason University
Location: Virtual
Cost: $1,299 + $25 application fee (waivable)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; 15–20 interns
Dates: June 18 – August 12
Application Deadline: February 15
Eligibility: Students aged 15+ (remote/virtual) or 16+ (wet-lab in-person) who have not started university before or during the program
The Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program (ASSIP) offers high school students the opportunity to spend an 8-week summer conducting real research alongside faculty mentors on disease diagnostics, infectious diseases, data science, neuroscience, and environmental sciences. You’ll use advanced tools and technologies, participate in team research projects, develop scientific communication skills, and explore STEM and health careers through discussions and workshops. You’ll also complete a research capstone presentation at the end of the program. Successful participants also earn three college credits, which can give you a head start academically while building a strong foundation for future study in health, science, or research.
15. Stanford Artificial Intelligence in Medicine and Imaging (AIMI) Summer Research Internship
Location: Virtual
Cost: $2,400 + $45 application fee; financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; ~50 students
Dates: Session A: June 15–26; Session B: July 6–17
Application Deadline: February 20
Eligibility: Students entering grades 9–12, age 14+ by start, living in the U.S.
In the Stanford AIMI Summer Research Internship, you will spend two intensive weeks exploring how machine learning transforms medical imaging and patient care. The program covers specialized topics like deep learning fundamentals, computer vision for radiology, and the critical ethics of AI in clinical settings. You will engage in small-group research projects, such as training convolutional neural networks to identify abnormalities in chest X-rays or using Python to analyze large-scale medical datasets. A unique feature of this internship is the direct mentorship from Stanford researchers and "Meet the Expert" sessions with leaders from industry and government. This immersive virtual experience provides a rare bridge between advanced computer science and real-world healthcare challenges.
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