15 Hospital Internships for College Students in New Jersey (NJ)
- Stephen Turban
- 3 hours ago
- 11 min read
If you’re interested in healthcare, hospital internships can help you explore the field beyond your coursework. These opportunities introduce you to various areas, including patient care, clinical research, hospital administration, and specialized roles such as child life services. They can also help you understand how different parts of a hospital work together to support patient outcomes.
In New Jersey, hospital internships are offered through medical centers, research institutes, and university-affiliated programs. These opportunities include clinical rotations, research internships, volunteer roles, and department-based placements across areas like oncology, public health, and patient services.
Why should I do a hospital internship in college?
Hospital internships give you insight into how healthcare systems operate in clinical and research settings. You might observe patient care, assist with research projects, support administrative tasks, or take part in training and shadowing experiences across different departments. Over time, these experiences can help you build relevant skills, explore areas of interest, and prepare for future roles in medicine or healthcare.
If you’re looking for paid online internships, check out our blog here.
1. Children's Specialized Hospital Center for Discovery, Innovation, and Development (CDID) Internship
Location: Remote with occasional travel to Millburn, NJ office or other local sites
Cost/Stipend: Paid or school credits awarded
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: The information is not available
Program Dates: Vary with fall, spring, and summer cohorts
Application Deadline: July 1 (fall), November 1 (spring), March 15 (summer
Eligibility: Students currently enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program; should know MS Office, specifically Excel; individuals with special needs are also eligible to apply
The internship hosted by the Children's Specialized Hospital's Center for Discovery, Innovation and Development (CDID) provides an immersive learning experience for NJ college students eager to pursue career opportunities with individuals with special needs. You will work on CDID's community programs for children/adolescents with special needs, with a focus on data collection and research. Some of the projects you will work on include behavioral health, food insecurity, and preparing youth with special needs for employment. You will enhance communication and multitasking skills while collaborating with team members.
Location: Children’s Specialized Hospital, Brunswick, NJ
Cost/Stipend: Not specified
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: 3 – 4
Program Dates: Vary with fall, spring, and summer cohorts
Application Deadline: Rolling deadlines
Eligibility: College undergraduate students and graduates
The Children’s Specialized Hospital's Research Internship program offers clinical research opportunities for college students in New Jersey. You will collaborate with clinical staff and scientific researchers on research projects in a pediatric rehabilitation setting. Based on your skills and research needs, you will be assigned projects in various niche areas, including chronic health conditions, brain injury, mobility, autism, and cognition. As a participant of the Bi-Monthly Journal Club, you will gain valuable research skills by learning how to analyze research articles and summarize literature. You will also gain opportunities to conduct clinician interviews, attend team meetings, visit research labs at collaborating institutions, and attend local events.
Location: Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, New Brunswick, NJ
Cost/Stipend: The information is not available
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: One student per semester
Program Dates: (minimum 16 weeks, 8 hours/day)
Application Deadline: September 5 (winter/spring), March 15 (fall), January 5 (summer)
Eligibility: Undergraduates/graduates at an affiliated institution in Child Life, Child Development, or a related concentration with a minimum 3.0 GPA (check volunteer hours and other requirements here)
Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital's Child Life Internship Program provides hands-on work experience for college students in NJ who are keen to explore careers as Child Life Specialists. You will work under the supervision of an assigned Child Life Specialist, with multiple rotations across various hospital units, including the pediatric unit, neonatal ICU, emergency department, and family teaching program. You will also complete academic work based on the Child Life Clinical Internship curriculum modules, including assigned readings, lesson plans, unit-based projects, and case studies. You will learn to recognize and respond to the psychosocial needs of hospitalized children and their families, as well as basic medical terminology and procedures, administrative aspects of child life programs, and more.
Location: New Brunswick, NJ, with some remote options
Cost/Stipend: $6,000 stipend for in-person interns/$2,000 for remote interns
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: The information is not available
Program Dates: Vary based on internship type
Application Deadline: Varies based on internship
Eligibility: Princeton University students who are undergraduates/graduates in academic disciplines specific to the internship type; skills relevant to the specific internship
Princeton University’s Internships in Global Health Program provides college students in NJ with opportunities to explore careers in cancer research. You can opt for an internship in specific areas, such as prostate cancer genetic testing study, cancer prevention and support studies, integration mapping using the CTAT virus integration finder, and more. You will learn how lab discoveries are applied to clinical practice and receive mentorship from physicians and scientific researchers. You will gain key skills in qualitative research, including collecting and analyzing data and writing research.
Location: AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center, NJ (specific location based on internship role)
Cost/Stipend: Paid (stipend details are not available)
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: The information is not available
Program Dates: June – August (10 weeks in the summer)
Application Deadline: December 15
Eligibility: Students currently pursuing a degree full-time at an accredited college/university; should not currently be employed with Atlantic Health; should not have graduated before the end of the internship program; intern role-specific requirements will be applicable
College students in New Jersey interested in pursuing a healthcare internship could consider Atlantic Health's paid summer internship. You will have immersive hands-on learning experiences with mentorship from professionals, and gain real-world insights in the healthcare field. Based on your academic field of study, you will be placed across various units of the AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center, including corporate as well as clinical settings. You will interact with medical and administrative personnel and gain insight into healthcare career pathways. You will gain opportunities through shadowing, research projects, and professional development activities tailored to your internship role.
Location: Overlook Medical Center, Summit, NJ
Cost/Stipend: $500 admission fee (refunded if two or fewer absences)
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: 17
Program Dates: June 2 – June 26 (mandatory orientation session on June 1)
Application Deadline: January 1
Eligibility: Students who have completed at least two years of college by the time the program starts
Atlantic Health's Overlook Summer Internship Program (OSIP) is a highly selective medical internship that provides college students in New Jersey a close perspective of a wide range of healthcare specialties. You will be matched with a medical professional who will be your mentor during the internship. You will have opportunities to shadow various medical professionals, including physicians, nurses, therapists, administrators, and social workers, through one-day rotations on hospital floors, in the emergency department, in the operating room, and at a physician's office. You will have networking opportunities as you interact on a personal level with medical and healthcare professionals.
Location: Newton Medical Center, Newton, NJ
Cost/Stipend: Free (information on stipend details is not available)
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Competitive
Program Dates: June 1 – June 12 (mandatory orientation session on May 29)
Application Deadline: January 31
Eligibility: Students who have completed at least two years of college by the time the program starts
Atlantic Health’s Newton Summer Internship Program (NSIP) provides NJ college students who are medical school aspirants with opportunities to shadow healthcare professionals in clinical and administrative settings. You will gain insight into potential career pathways in medicine and healthcare, including nursing, social work, hospital administration, and related fields. You will get multiple networking opportunities with medical professionals who will share their experiences and provide guidance on career pathways in medicine and healthcare.
Location: Multiple locations across NJ
Cost/Stipend: The information is not available
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: One per semester
Program Dates: Vary – 16 weeks in early September (fall) and late January (spring)
Application Deadline: March 15 (fall), September 5 (spring)
Eligibility: College students pursuing certification as a child life specialist
Cooper University Health Care's Child Life Student Internship offers college students in New Jersey educational opportunities and work experience in dealing with the psychosocial needs of children and adolescents. You will learn about developmentally appropriate interactions, including preparation for medical procedures, coping strategies, therapeutic interventions, and related topics. You will gain insight into the role of a child life specialist within a multidisciplinary team in patient- and family-centered care. You will also develop professional skills in preparing for the Child Life Certification exam and a future career as a child life professional.
Location: Englewood Hospital, Englewood, NJ
Cost/Stipend: Unpaid
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: The information is not available
Program Dates: Rolling
Application Deadline: March 1 for summer cohort
Eligibility: College students are eligible to apply; must commit to 4 hours/week for 3 – 6 months; the summer assignment requires an 8-week commitment
Englewood Hospital's volunteer program offers college students in New Jersey the opportunity to gain experience in a healthcare setting. You will volunteer based on your field of interest, skills, and the medical center's needs and availability. You will be assigned tasks such as delivering mail and flowers, as well as escorting patients. Some responsibilities may involve direct patient contact, such as transporting patients, while other tasks involve providing clerical support to administrative personnel. You will enhance your communication and teamwork skills while collaborating with hospital staff, as well as the values of respect and kindness.
Location: Multiple locations across NJ
Cost/Stipend: Unpaid
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: The information is not available
Program Dates: Rolling, with a summer cohort available for physician shadowing opportunities
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: College freshmen and sophomores; Rising college juniors and seniors are eligible for shadowing opportunities
College students interested in pursuing a career in medicine and healthcare could consider Valley Health System's College Volunteers Program. You will be assigned tasks across various hospital/medical center units based on availability, your skills, and interests. You can volunteer in various areas, including the nursing unit, the emergency department, transport, and others. As a rising college junior/senior, you can also gain direct exposure and experience to the roles and responsibilities of physicians/physician assistants/nurses through shadowing opportunities.
Location: Multiple locations in NJ based on internship type
Cost/Stipend: Starts at $17 - $18/hour based on the intern's role
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: The information is not available
Program Dates: Vary based on the intern's role
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: College students with specific skills and additional requirements based on the intern role
Healthcare organization Hackensack Meridian offers college students in New Jersey opportunities to work on real projects to build a future career in healthcare. You can intern as a medical assistant, performing duties under the supervision of a physician and practice manager. You will be required to note the patient’s history, assist the physician with basic procedures, prepare the exam room, monitor general clinical supply inventory and equipment, and perform other duties. You will work on assigned marketing tasks, including research and campaigns.
Location: Rutgers Cancer Institute, New Brunswick, NJ, with a virtual option available
Cost/Stipend: The information is not available
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: The information is not available
Program Dates: June – August with a flexible start date (10 weeks)
Application Deadline: January 24
Eligibility: College students enrolled in an associate/undergraduate/graduate program with a GPA of 3.5 or greater; preference to students with prior research experience and who have taken advanced science courses; must commit to at least 24 hours/week
Rutgers Cancer Institute hosts the summer clinical oncology research internship program for NJ college students. You will gain hands-on experience assisting researchers with clinical trials for discovering ways to prevent, diagnose, and treat cancer. You will get opportunities to shadow and collaborate with senior clinical research staff and interact with faculty who will mentor you. You will gain key research skills and learn the basics of protocol management.
Location: Rutgers Cancer Institute, New Brunswick, NJ
Cost/Stipend: The information is not available
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: The information is not available
Program Dates: Vary
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Undergraduate students are eligible; must be New Jersey residents (check all requirements here)
Rutgers Cancer Institute's Cancer Immunotherapy Internship Program (CIIP) provides college students in New Jersey with opportunities to explore careers in biomedical and clinical research focusing on cancer therapy and immune monitoring. Professional researchers and scientists will mentor and train you to build skills in scientific research methods and their applications. You will also collaborate on experiments. By the end of the internship, you will gain a better perspective of cancer immunotherapy, clinical Immunology, and basic research sciences while developing professional research skills.
Location: Princeton University/Rutgers Cancer Institute
Cost/Stipend: Paid (information on stipend details not available)
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: The information is not available
Program Dates: Vary (9 weeks in the summer)
Application Deadline: February 1
Eligibility: Rising sophomores/junior undergraduate students with an interest in cancer research
Through a collaboration between Ludwig Princeton and the Rutgers Cancer Institute, NJ college students gain insight into cancer research, with a focus on the molecular events underlying cancer. During the 9-week summer internship, you will gain opportunities to work in research labs and attend lectures led by cancer researchers. You will also undertake tours of research facilities and attend molecular tumor board meetings. The experience offers insight into the application of scientific discoveries in medicine and patient care.
Location: Goryeb Children’s Hospital, Morristown Medical Center, NJ, and Hersch Children’s Center, Overlook Medical Center, NJ
Cost/Stipend: The information is not available
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: The information is not available
Program Dates: Vary, with spring and fall cohorts
Application Deadline: As per the schedule issued by the Association of Child Life Professionals (ACLP). Check details here.
Eligibility: Students who are affiliated or unaffiliated with an academic institution
Atlantic Health's Child Life internship provides NJ college students with hands-on work experience through rotations at Goryeb Children’s Hospital and Hersch Children’s Center. You will be supervised by certified child life specialists as you learn and develop independent skills in child life practice. You will gain insight into the diverse roles and responsibilities of a child life specialist, including engaging children in developmentally appropriate, normative play, providing coping support to families experiencing grief, and more. You will acquire key skills essential to becoming a child life professional, including effective communication, time management, and adaptability.
Location: Remote
Cost/Stipend: Varies by program type; need-based financial aid available
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: The information is not available
Program Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November)
Eligibility: Students who can work for 10-20 hours/week for 8-12 weeks. Open to undergraduates and gap year students!
Ladder's University Internship is a selective, virtual internship program where you work with startups and nonprofits from around the world! The startups span a variety of industries, including health tech, environmental science, AI, consulting, non-profits, and more. No experience required! In the 8-week program, you gain real-world working experience and develop technical and professional skills across 8 sessions with the host company. As part of their internship, each student will work on a real-world project that addresses a genuine need for the startup they are working with and present their work at the end of their internship. Interns work closely with their manager at the startup. Apply now!
One other option—the Lumiere Research Scholar Program
If you’re interested in pursuing independent research, consider applying to one of the Lumiere Research Scholar Programs, selective online high school programs for students founded with researchers at Harvard and Oxford. Last year, we had over 4,000 students apply for 500 spots in the program! You can find the application form here, check out students’ reviews of the program here and here.
Also check out the Lumiere Research Inclusion Foundation, a non-profit research program for talented, low-income students. Last year, we had 150 students on full need-based financial aid!
Stephen is one of the founders of Lumiere and a graduate of Harvard College, where he earned an A.B. in Statistics. He founded Lumiere as a PhD student at Harvard Business School. Lumiere is a selective research program where students work 1-1 with a research mentor to develop an independent research paper.
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