Nursing Workforce Programs
Billings Clinic’s Nursing Workforce Programs provide hands-on, paid learning opportunities that help you grow your skills and launch a successful nursing career. From students to aspiring certified nursing assistants, we offer pathways to gain real-world experience while making a meaningful impact in patient care.
Launch Your Nursing Career with Confidence
At Billings Clinic, we know that great nurses are nurtured, supported, and given the chance to grow. That’s why we offer programs designed to help you build real-world skills, gain confidence, and step into your career feeling ready to make a difference.
If you’re in your final year of nursing school, the RN Extern Program lets you work alongside experienced nurses who will guide you, answer your questions, and cheer you on as you learn.
Looking for a meaningful summer job? The Summer CNA/MA Program is perfect if you’re a nursing student with a CNA license or in your second year of an ADN or LPN program. You’ll get paid to gain hands-on experience as a Medical Assistant or Certified Nursing Assistant.
If you’re just starting out, the NA to CNA Program gives you the tools, training, and support to step into a caregiving role with confidence. In just four weeks, you’ll build skills through labs, supervised shifts, and self-paced study—all while preparing for the Montana CNA exam, with your fees covered.
We believe investing in you is investing in the future of health care. When you grow, our patients, our community, and our whole team benefit.
Learn more about our workforce programs below.
RN Extern Program
The Nurse Extern Program at Billings Clinic is a paid learning opportunity for nursing students to gain valuable experience in challenging, complex work environments. The RN Extern will have the opportunity to hone-in their nursing skills, under the direct supervision and guidance of our nursing staff as they support your learning.
There is a summer and a winter program, and they vary in length from 4 to 6 weeks depending on the season and school breaks. The jobs will be posted for application in October for the winter program, and in February for the summer program. These positions are limited and the selection process is competitive. Selected externs will work in one of our acute care inpatient units or our outpatient clinic locations and will provide care up to their current level of schooling under the immediate supervision of a RN preceptor.
The externship is open to all RN students enrolled in their final year of their nursing program (December or May graduates). A Montana CNA license is preferred, but not required. You must be able to commit to the entirety of the program, working up to full-time (32-40 hours per week) while following your preceptor's schedule with 100% attendance required. This may include working days, nights, weekends, holidays, and/or rotating shifts.
Summer CNA/MA Program
Gain valuable patient care experience this summer at Billings Clinic as a CNA or an MA! Job postings for these positions usually open in March for the departments that are available. This program is designed for nursing students who would like to work and learn at Billings Clinic during the summer break, with the opportunity to stay on as a per diem CNA and apply to an RN position at the end of the program. A variety of hospital units and clinic departments will be posted on the career's website.
Eligible candidates:
- Nursing Students that have a CNA license
- 2nd year ADN Students
- 2nd year LPN Students
You must have a CNA certificate to work as a CNA. You do not need a CNA license to work as an MA.
Contact the Nurse Aide Registry at 406-444-4980 or the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services website to obtain one.
NA to CNA Program
NA to CNA Program-Earn while you learn!
The NA to CNA Program is designed to help prepare individuals for a career as a Certified Nursing Assistant in the hospital setting. This is not a certified CNA program but a work-based learning program to help prepare you to challenge the Montana CNA Exam.
This is a 4-week program that consists of skills labs, shifts with a CNA on various units throughout the hospital, and self-paced learning time.
All program supplies are provided, as well as paid class time and exam fees. The program is offered quarterly and so watch for applications to open prior to each cohort. You must be 16 years of age or older to participate.
*If you do not pass the CNA Exam at the end of the program you will not be eligible to retake the exam until you have completed a certified CNA course*
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