Next Generation Workforce

We are a leader in healthcare workforce development. As a student learner at OU Health, you benefit from the education and opportunities that only an academic health system can provide. As Oklahoma’s only comprehensive academic health system, and with OU Health’s academic partner, the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences, students can grow into the next generation workforce and learn in a variety of clinical and non-clinical settings, including student practicums, internships and residencies and more.

OU Health is committed to investing in future healthcare professionals and leaders, providing students at all levels with the necessary skills, education and experience to succeed. When you choose to learn and grow at OU Health, you do so alongside professionals who are experts in their field and whose mission is to improve the lives through healing and discovery.

Pathways for Tomorrow's Workforce

Healthcare Career Explorers

The Healthcare Career Explorer position offers a unique and exciting opportunity to students currently enrolled in high school and college interested in investigating or pursuing a career in healthcare. Healthcare Career Explorers are placed in a career stream within OU Health to gain first-hand experience with an inpatient, outpatient and/or ambulatory setting. Explorers interact with patients, healthcare staff and professionals across multiple disciplines to gain valuable insight and skills, qualifying them to transfer into a permanent role at OU Health upon graduation of high school or college.

Gain exposure to different aspects of healthcare delivery, administration and patient care.
Learn and use effective communication skills and empathy in a healthcare setting.
Connect with healthcare professionals in a variety of clinical and non-clinical specialties.
Learn about strategic decision-making, team collaboration and organizational leadership.
Develop skills necessary for securing pivotal positions in the healthcare industry.

Applications for 2024 are now closed, please check back for opportunities for 2025.

College and Post-Graduate Opportunities

OU Health has a variety of opportunities for college and post-graduate students including student practicums, fellowships, internships, residencies and more.

Student Nursing Career Ladder

As the largest nursing program in Oklahoma, the Fran and Earl Ziegler College of Nursing at the OU Health Sciences Center – the academic nursing component of OU Health – partners with us to offer expanded educational opportunities via a student nursing career ladder which includes:

Nurse Technicians: Under general supervision of a registered nurse, performs routine tasks in patient care. Currently enrolled in an accredited registered nursing program or between terms/semesters; OR has completed a program of registered nursing and has applied to the licensure examination. The graduate may continue to be employed in a Nurse Technician role until licensed in any state, territory, or country, provided that the first licensure examination is taken within 90 days after graduation and the examination is passed within 6 months of graduation, on either the first or the second attempt.
Nurse Interns Program: Allows senior-level nursing students to be employed at OU Health while earning their clinical hours. The students have the opportunity to have a more autonomous nursing practice while also introducing them to our values and culture at OU Health. Many of our interns also work as nurse techs providing additional support to our nursing teams and quality care to our patients.
Nurse Extern Program: Is designed specifically for nursing students between their junior and senior year of Nursing School. The paid program will provide Nurse Externs with rich experiences about the interdisciplinary, collaborative approach to care at OU Health. Nurse Externs will not only work in a primary care area with expert staff, but will also partner with other members of the healthcare team throughout the system to witness the power of teamwork to enhance patient care.

Master of Healthcare Administrative Fellowship Program

In collaboration with the Hudson College of Public Health at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences OU Health’s one-year Administrative Fellowship Program (ARP) provides the education, experience and mentoring that top Master of Healthcare Administration (MHA) graduate students need to cultivate a rewarding career path in healthcare leadership. Our cohort-based learning model ensures that up to five residents will have ongoing, valuable exposure to OU Health and OU Health Sciences executives, leaders, physicians, peers, business, and community leaders— helping to equip them for a future leadership role.

During the year-long program, residents will participate in rotations, working beside our best leaders in several key areas. Our rigorous program strives to provide residents with hands-on experience, through exposure to a variety of environments and experts that will prepare them to succeed in a leadership role. OU Health’s Administrative Fellowship Program uniquely provides all residents with a personalized support network during their Fellowship. In addition to the support of peers, leaders and executives, residents will have a dedicated executive leader to guide them through the rotations and experiences and support them in their development.

Applications for 2024 are now closed, please check back for opportunities for 2025.

OU SOUL Mission – Micro Internships

In support of building the next generation workforce, OU Health is laying the groundwork for a sustainable, innovative workforce development system through a partnership with University of Oklahoma football and Brent Venable’s micro-internship program, S.O.U.L Mission (Serving Our Uncommon Legacy). This unique model provides student-athletes with the opportunity to gain valuable work experience and professional development in a variety of healthcare-related fields.

The OU SOUL micro-internship is designed to center around OU Health’s tripartite mission, which emphasizes the integration of education, clinical, and research. By engaging in meaningful work, students gain a better understanding of how these three elements work together to support OU Health’s mission, while enhancing their interest in careers in healthcare, research, or other related fields.

Other Ways to Get Involved

In addition to the impactful programs listed above, OU Health fosters the next generation of healthcare professionals and leaders through opportunities such as:

Student Shadow Experience – A hands-off experience with clinical and/or non-clinical staff and not for course credit. The experience is only eligible for up to seven consecutive calendar days per academic semester.
Student Practicums – This hands-on experience with clinical and/or non-clinical staff is intended for students actively enrolled at partner schools outside of the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences, who already has a designated OU Health preceptor for the practicum experience.
Volunteerism – Engage with OU Health as a volunteer at one of our hospitals or facilities in the Oklahoma City metro and make an impact on the lives of patients and their families.

Learn More About Student Opportunities