14 Hospital Internships for Undergraduates in Florida
Internships are a great way to strengthen your resume while still in college. By participating in an internship, you gain exposure to professional environments, develop familiarity with workplace expectations, and gain relevant work experience. This can improve your employability by demonstrating initiative and the ability to work in clinical or administrative settings. For students interested in medicine, internships allow you to observe healthcare systems and understand how hospitals operate. If you’re planning to apply to medical school, this experience can clarify your long-term goals and give you concrete examples to reference in applications and interviews.
Why should I do a hospital internship in college?
A hospital internship gives you exposure to clinical environments, allowing you to observe how physicians, nurses, technicians, and administrators collaborate to deliver care. This experience strengthens your resume by showing graduate admissions committees and employers that you have engaged with healthcare settings. You will develop professional skills such as communication, documentation, and time management within a medical environment. Hospital internships also help you build professional networks with healthcare staff, which may lead to mentorship or letters of recommendation for future opportunities. In addition, you gain insight into hospital workflows, patient interaction protocols, and interdisciplinary teamwork.
If you are based in Florida, we’ve narrowed down our list to the 14 best hospital internships for undergraduates in Florida to help you focus your search.
1. Mayo Clinic - Clinical Research Internship Study Program (CRISP)
Location: Jacksonville, FL; Rochester, MN
Stipend: $3,000
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; around 180 students per cohort
Dates: May 26 – July 31
Application Deadline: January 31
Eligibility: Currently enrolled undergraduates in an accredited U.S. college or university; minimum 3.5 GPA on a 4.0 scale; at least 18 years old by the program’s start; must have completed freshman year of college; U.S. citizens or permanent residents
In this program, you work with a faculty mentor on a clinical research project that uses methodologies such as observational studies, epidemiological analysis, retrospective chart review, clinical trials, or quality studies rather than bench lab techniques. The program includes a structured curriculum with mandatory orientation, a weekly lecture series, and requirements to develop research skills and present both a written summary and an oral presentation of your work at the end of the internship. Most research tasks involve computer‑based work or chart review under the direction of your mentor and the Mayo Clinic Institutional Review Board when appropriate.
2. Nicklaus Children’s Hospital - Child Life Internship Program
Location: Miami, FL
Stipend: Paid, amount not disclosed
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; 1–3 interns per session
Dates: Spring: January – May; Summer/Residency: May – May next year
Application Deadline: Spring: Early September; Summer: January 5
Eligibility: Senior-level undergraduate or graduate students in Child Life or related fields; must be university-affiliated; completion of all 10 ACLP-required courses is mandatory before the start date. 50+ hours of pediatric hospital volunteer experience is required
The Nicklaus Children’s Hospital Child Life Internship Program is an in-person clinical training experience accredited by the Association of Child Life Professionals (ACLP). You will use developmental theory to help assess patient needs and support coping through activities such as procedural preparation, medical play, therapeutic play, and bereavement support. The program includes supervised clinical work that gradually allows you to take on increasing responsibility in patient and family support. You will also participate in structured learning activities and receive feedback from your preceptors throughout the experience. The internship schedule follows the assigned unit preceptor and may include varied shifts across the week.
3. UF Health Shands Hospital - Summer Neuroscience Internship Program (SNIP)
Location: Gainesville, Florida
Stipend: $5,000
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; 10–15 interns per summer
Dates: May 18 – July 24
Application Deadline: February 15
Eligibility: Undergraduate students at U.S.-based institutions
In this program, you will join an active neuroscience research laboratory and work under the mentorship of an experienced UF neuroscientist. You will be expected to function as a member of the lab by carrying out experiments and completing project-related tasks. Alongside lab work, you will attend the weekly Neuromedicine Seminar Series featuring research presentations from postdoctoral fellows and junior faculty. The program also includes weekly professional development workshops covering topics such as graduate school applications, scientific writing, public speaking, and networking. At the end of the program, you will prepare and present a research poster during the SNIP Celebration of Research Day.
4. Nemours Children’s Research - Nemours Summer Undergraduate Research Program (NSURP)
Location: Jacksonville, Orlando, and Pensacola, FL
Stipend: $6,000
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; approximately 25–32 students
Dates: May 26 – July 31
Application Deadline: January 31
Eligibility: Undergraduate students who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents with a minimum 3.2 GPA
The Nemours Summer Undergraduate Research Program (NSURP) is a full‑time summer research experience offered by the Nemours Biomedical Research Department that places undergraduate students into clinical, translational, and laboratory research projects at Nemours Children’s sites. You are matched with a scientist or physician mentor based on your ranked project preferences and academic background. Research projects span laboratory-based and clinical areas within pediatric medicine, including specialties such as cardiology, genetics, oncology, neurology, and immunology. Throughout the program, you participate in research seminars, student-led journal clubs, and discussions focused on medical and academic careers.
5. UF Health Cancer Institute – STRONGER Program
Location: Gainesville, FL
Stipend: $600/week
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; 10 interns
Dates: Virtual: May 11–15; In-person: May 18 – July 31
Application Deadline: March 16
Eligibility: Undergraduate juniors; U.S. citizens or permanent residents
The STRONGER program is a summer internship designed to prepare you for a career in cancer research and strengthen your graduate school applications. You will cover essential topics like basic cancer biology, therapeutics, and cutting-edge oncological research. Your main activities will include working on a specialized cancer research project, attending career development seminars, completing the Introduction to Research 101 program, and presenting a poster at the final showcase. A unique feature of this experience is the near-peer mentoring approach, which pairs you directly with a doctoral or postdoctoral trainee. Ultimately, you will learn skills such as literature searching, scientific paper reading, proposal writing, and fundamental research techniques.
6. FIU Summer Cardiovascular Research Internship
Location: Florida International University, Miami, FL
Stipend: Many students receive aid to support their research
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; approximately 25–30 students per year
Dates: June 12 – August 7
Application Deadline: March 20
Eligibility: Graduated high school seniors (committed to attending FIU in the Fall) or accepted FIU transfer students; 16+ years old; have a 3.0+ unweighted GPA
This program matches you with an FIU faculty mentor before the program begins, and you complete required safety training and onboarding documentation. The weekly curriculum includes journal clubs, case study discussions, workshops, and a Responsible Conduct in Research seminar. In addition to the curriculum sessions, you commit at least 15 hours per week to laboratory research, with your schedule arranged in coordination with your mentor. Research labs are often interdisciplinary and focus on cardiovascular-related studies that integrate basic science and clinical perspectives. At the end of the program, you submit a research abstract and deliver a PowerPoint presentation at the closing symposium.
7. Johns Hopkins - Child Life Internship
Location: St. Petersburg, Florida
Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; typically 1–3 interns per session
Dates: Spring and Summer cohorts
Application Deadline: Spring: Early September; Summer: Early January
Eligibility: Senior undergraduate or graduate students; 50+ hours of pediatric hospital volunteer experience
In this internship, you will rotate through pediatric units such as the Emergency Center, NICU, PICU, hematology/oncology, outpatient clinics, or radiology. You will work under the supervision of Certified Child Life Specialists who guide you through both experiential and didactic learning activities. Your responsibilities include supporting therapeutic play, assisting with patient and family coping interventions, documenting in the electronic medical record, and participating in group programming. You will also attend interdisciplinary learning opportunities such as Grand Rounds, seminars, and in-service sessions offered by the teaching hospital. The program also includes regular supervision, reflective journal work, case study presentations, and skills labs as part of your training.
8. Mayo Clinic - FOUR Stroke Education Internship
Location: Jacksonville, FL
Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; 4 students
Dates: June 2 – May 31
Application Deadline: January 31
Eligibility: Undergraduates enrolled in an accredited college or university with a GPA of at least 3.0
The FOUR Stroke Education Internship at Mayo Clinic College of Medicine & Science in Jacksonville, Florida, is a non‑clinical program centered on stroke care and brain health education. You will work with physician mentors and clinical staff to deepen your understanding of stroke mechanisms, prevention, and patient education while attending lectures and participating in hospital‑based observations. Responsibilities may include preparing educational materials, helping organize community outreach events, and contributing to projects that promote stroke awareness. The internship introduces you to the healthcare environment of a major medical center without involving direct patient care. You engage with professionals across neurology, rehabilitation, and support services and attend structured learning sessions that complement your project work.
9. Wolfson’s Children’s Hospital - Child Life Internship
Location: Jacksonville, FL
Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; typically 1–3 interns per session
Dates: Spring, Summer, and Fall semesters
Application Deadline: Fall: March 13; Spring: September 4; Summer: January 5
Eligibility: University-affiliated students with CPR certification and a completed Level 1 background check; ACLP Eligibility Assessment showing 10 required courses (can be in progress but must be finished by start date); Level 1 Background Check; AHA/Red Cross CPR Certification
This program provides supervised experience in supporting the emotional and developmental needs of hospitalized children and preparing students for certification as child life specialists. During the internship, you participate as a member of an interdisciplinary healthcare team and work with children hospitalized for acute and chronic conditions. You will support patients and families through assessment, procedural preparation and support, developmental play, documentation, and family-centered interventions. Your clinical experience focuses on understanding the emotional and developmental impact of hospitalization on children. Supervision is provided by Certified Child Life Specialists who guide your responsibilities and professional conduct within the hospital setting.
10. University of Central Florida - Surgical Internships
Location: Adventhealth Winter Park, Downtown Surgery Center, Foot and Ankle Sports Medicine Institute, Orlando, FL
Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; 3–4 selected per semester
Dates: Fall or Spring semesters
Application Deadline: Spring: Late October; Fall: Mid-May
Eligibility: Undergraduates who are pre‑med with a minimum GPA of 3.5 who have completed a course in either Human Anatomy or Human Physiology before the internship
This program gives pre‑medical undergraduates structured exposure to surgical environments and patient care alongside practicing surgeons. You will shadow surgical procedures, with past interns completing an average of 150–200 hours over the semester. During the program, you observe a range of surgical cases and discuss procedures and medical pathologies with surgeons. You are required to write and present a surgical case study based on your clinical observations. The program also includes surgical workshops that introduce you to suturing techniques and medical devices, sometimes led by device representatives. Throughout the semester, you may participate in “Meeting with the Masters” roundtable discussions featuring professionals from various industries.
11. University of North Florida - Clinical Research Coordination Badge
Location: Jacksonville, FL
Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; 10 interns per cohort
Dates: Spring: 6–8 weeks of online coursework via UNF Canvas; Summer: 150-hour internship at UF Health Jacksonville or Mayo Clinic
Application Deadline: September 30
Eligibility: Current UNF undergraduate student expected to graduate within one year with a minimum GPA of 3.0; completed a research course and medical terminology course; successful Level II background check
The Clinical Research Coordination Badge at the University of North Florida is a competency‑based program that prepares current undergraduate and graduate students for careers in clinical research. You begin with 6–8 weeks of self-paced coursework delivered through UNF Canvas, where you study research methods, Good Clinical Practice standards, informed consent procedures, and Institutional Review Board processes. After completing the online component, you transition into a summer internship at UF Health Jacksonville or Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville. During the internship, you work alongside clinical research teams involved in active studies. Your responsibilities include supporting research protocol development, collecting and managing study data, and following established regulatory and ethical guidelines.
12. Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital - Summer Student Research Training Program (SSRTP)
Location: St. Petersburg, FL
Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; typically 10–20 students per summer
Dates: 8 weeks in the summer
Application Deadline: Typically, mid-March
Eligibility: Undergraduate, medical, and graduate students
In this program, you will work with a research mentor on ongoing studies, contributing to data analysis, study coordination, and literature review, with potential opportunities for co-authorship. The program offers a curriculum featuring recorded lectures on research design, implementation, and analysis, as well as virtual seminars on academic medicine and interdisciplinary research. Before starting, you complete the required online training in research ethics and human subjects protection and participate in regular mentor meetings to review progress and refine your skills.
13. Cleveland Clinic - Summer Scholar Program
Location: Weston, Florida
Cost/Stipend: $100 onboarding fee / No stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; small cohort size
Dates: June 22 – July 17
Application Deadline: March 23
Eligibility: Undergraduate students who have completed at least one year of college; minimum 3.6 cumulative GPA
The Cleveland Clinic Summer Scholar Program is a hybrid learning experience that introduces you to clinical medicine across hospital and outpatient settings in Cleveland Clinic Florida. During the program, you rotate through various specialties, including Internal Medicine, Radiology, Emergency Medicine, Surgery, and other subspecialties, while interacting with staff physicians. Throughout the program, you are expected to maintain full participation and follow the assigned rotation schedule. The program concludes with each participant delivering a case presentation during a formal graduation ceremony. The experience is intended to provide structured exposure to medical careers within a working clinical environment.
14. Clinical Research Internship at AdventHealth Orlando (UCF Affiliate)
Location: AdventHealth Orlando, Orlando, FL
Cost/Stipend: Approximately $100 in required onboarding expenses / No stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; typically 5–10 students per cycle
Dates: One-year commitment. Internships typically begin in the Summer or Fall terms and require 10–15 hours per week
Application Deadline: Summer: Mid-to-late April; Fall: Mid-May; Spring: Mid-October
Eligibility: Undergraduate students with a minimum GPA of 3.5
The Clinical Research Internships at the University of Central Florida’s Burnett School of Biomedical Sciences are clinical research placements in the Orlando area where undergraduate pre‑medical students participate in health‑related research activities under the mentorship of clinicians and research personnel. You commit 10–15 hours per week to clinical research activities under the supervision of program directors and designated research personnel. Your responsibilities involve supporting ongoing research projects conducted within the AdventHealth Orlando clinical setting. Before beginning, you complete UCF orientation requirements and obtain volunteer status at AdventHealth Orlando, including a background check and health screening.
Bonus: Looking for an immersive internship experience?
Check out Ladder University Internships!
The Ladder University Internship Program is a selective, virtual internship program where students work with startups and nonprofits from around the world! The startups range across a variety of industries. As part of their internship, each student will work on a real-world project that is of genuine need to the startup they are working with, and present their work at the end of their internship. In addition to working closely with their manager from the startup, each intern will also work with a Ladder Coach throughout their internship. Apply now!
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