Getting hands-on experience through summer nursing programs is an effective way for high school students to build skills and dive deeper into this medical field. These summer programs offer you the chance to train in simulation labs and gain credentials like a CPR certification.
Here’s a list of 10 nursing and healthcare-related summer programs in Illinois designed for high school students who want to explore healthcare, medical research, and clinical environments.
1. Lumiere Research Scholar Program
Subject Areas: STEM, humanities, and social sciences
Location: Virtual
Eligibility: High school students with a minimum 3.3 out of 4 GPA
Application Deadline: Summer deadlines are usually in March, April, and May
Program Dates: June to August (summer). Fall, winter, and spring cohorts are also available.
Cost: $2,990 (12 weeks) | $5,900 (16-20 weeks). Financial aid is available
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program, founded by Harvard and Oxford researchers, offers high school students the opportunity to work one-on-one with PhD mentors to develop an independent research project in their subject area. For students who want to explore nursing, the program offers a Medicine track. Selected students undergo immersive sessions with their mentors, who help them produce a college-level research paper based on their projects. Support from writing coaches will also be provided. The program ends with a symposium and gives you a potential chance at publication.
2. Rosalind Franklin University Nursing INSPIRE
Subject Areas: Nursing, healthcare careers
Location: Rosalind Franklin University, North Chicago, IL
Eligibility: High school juniors in good academic standing with a GPA higher than 2.0/4.0 from Cristo Rey St. Martin College Prep, Highland Park, North Chicago, Round Lake, and Waukegan High Schools
Application Deadline: January 22
Program Dates: 8 weeks between June – August
Cost: Free, stipend provided
The Nursing INSPIRE Program is an eight-week summer initiative that introduces high school students to nursing as a potential career. The program includes Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) training and mentorship from Rosalind Franklin University faculty and healthcare professionals. You will gain exposure to nursing career paths, build essential skills like writing college essays, and participate in sessions on financial planning for college with your parents. By completing the program, you become eligible to take the CNA certification exam, laying the groundwork for a future in healthcare.
3. Rush University Medical Center MedSTEM Explorers
Subject Areas: Nursing, patient care, healthcare administration
Location: Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL
Eligibility: Rising high school sophomores and juniors who are Chicago residents and have an 80% attendance record and minimum 2.5 GPA
Application Deadline: Typically in March
Program Dates: June 24 – August 2
Cost: Stipend provided, amount unspecified
The MedSTEM Explorers program is a six-week, paid summer pre-internship at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago. It’s geared toward rising high school sophomores and juniors who are interested in exploring healthcare and STEM careers. You will build academic and workplace skills like problem-solving, collaboration, and critical thinking while investigating health issues impacting your community. The program also offers opportunities for networking with healthcare professionals and earning certifications like first aid or CPR.
4. Rural Health Careers Camp
Subject Areas: Healthcare professions (nursing, medicine, pharmacy, and more)
Location: Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, IL
Eligibility: Rising high school freshmen, sophomores, and juniors who live and attend school in rural communities (25,000 or fewer population). Certain counties receive preference
Application Deadline: Rolling (early applications encouraged). Applications will open on January 6
Program Dates: June 24 – 26
Cost: $100
The Rural Health Careers Camp is a three-day, overnight camp that introduces high school students to healthcare professions through 20 hands-on activities and labs. You will learn from healthcare providers, explore different medical fields, and experience life on a college campus. The camp includes workshops, team-building games, and a day spent at the UIC Health Sciences Campus, giving you a real-world look at rural healthcare careers.
5. Cancer Health Equity Summer Scholars (CHESS)
Subject Areas: Cancer research, biomedicine
Location: University of Illinois Cancer Center, Chicago, IL
Eligibility: Current sophomores, juniors, or seniors from underrepresented groups in biomedicine
Application Deadline: January 20
Program Dates: June 16 – August 8
Cost: Stipend of $3,000 provided
The Cancer Health Equity Summer Scholars program is an eight-week, research-intensive summer initiative for high school students from underrepresented backgrounds. You will gain hands-on experience working on cancer research projects with mentorship from faculty. You can choose from a range of fields within cancer research, including molecular biology, computation, and biostatistics. Throughout the program, you’ll also attend workshops and lectures focused on academic skills and professional development. At the end of the program, you’ll have the opportunity to present your work at the Student Symposium.
6. IMAGINE Summer Success Academy
Subject Areas: Nursing, healthcare
Location: Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, Edwardsville, IL
Eligibility: High school sophomores, juniors, and seniors, with priority given to juniors and seniors from surrounding counties
Application Deadline: No information available
Program Dates: June 11 – 14
Cost: Free (participants receive a stipend)
The IMAGINE Summer Success Academy is a four-day camp for underrepresented high school students interested in pursuing a nursing career. Held at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, the camp gives you hands-on nursing experience, including getting a CPR certification and simulation lab training. The camp gives you the chance to interact with current nursing students. You will stay on campus, and parents are also invited to visit campus centers like the financial aid and housing offices.
7. SIH High School Summer Internship Program
Subject Areas: Laboratory, nursing, radiology, respiratory therapy, physical therapy, occupational therapy, pharmacy
Location: Southern Illinois Healthcare (SIH), various hospital locations in Southern Illinois
Eligibility: High school sophomores, juniors, seniors, and recent graduates
Application Deadline: April 22
Program Dates: June 10 – July 17
Cost: Free (unpaid internship with cafeteria meal cards provided)
The SIH High School Summer Internship Program is a six-week program designed for students interested in exploring careers in healthcare. You will shadow professionals in fields like nursing, radiology, and physical therapy, gaining firsthand experience in medical settings. You’ll work 2-3 days a week and receive an in-depth look at various healthcare responsibilities, from administering medication to working with medical technologies.
8. University of Illinois STEM Camp
Subject Areas: Biomedical sciences, bioengineering
Location: University of Illinois College of Medicine, Rockford, IL
Eligibility: High school students aged 16 or older by May 1
Application Deadline: TBA
Program Dates: TBA
Cost: No information available
The University of Illinois STEM Camp is a week-long research program designed to expose high school students to biomedical sciences. You’ll learn how medical research is conducted, how new cures for diseases are found, and the role that bioengineering plays in medical treatment. You will participate in hands-on activities and have access to the university’s lab equipment and technology.
9. University of Illinois Summer Science Internship
Subject Areas: Biomedical sciences, medical research
Location: University of Illinois College of Medicine, Rockford, IL
Eligibility: High school students aged 16 or older by May 1 in the Rockford School District
Application Deadline: April 1
Program Dates: June 10 – August 2
Cost: Free, stipend provided
The Summer Science Internship at the University of Illinois College of Medicine in Rockford gives high school students hands-on experience in biomedical research. You will work directly with leading scientists in research teams, contributing to projects in areas such as cancer research, vaccine development, and drug design. You will gain essential laboratory skills, learn to collaborate in a research environment, and receive mentorship, which often extends beyond the summer program. The program also offers training in writing resumes, interviewing, and leadership skills.
10. Northwestern’s Health Professions Recruitment & Exposure Program (HPREP)
Subject Areas: Healthcare careers, medical school curriculum
Location: Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL
Eligibility: High school students from diverse backgrounds in the Chicago area
Application Deadline: TBA. You can sign up here to be notified
Program Dates: 5 weeks
Cost: No information available
HPREP is a five-week educational program designed to introduce high school students from underrepresented backgrounds to healthcare careers and the medical school experience. The program provides firsthand exposure to a variety of healthcare professions, including medicine, nursing, physical therapy, and physician assistant roles. You will also receive academic guidance and have the chance to interact with current medical students.
One more option – Horizon Academic Research Program
If you’re looking for a competitive mentored research program in subjects like data science, machine learning, political theory, biology, and chemistry, consider applying to Horizon’s Research Seminars and Labs! This is a selective virtual research program that lets you engage in advanced research and develop a research paper on a subject of your choosing. Horizon has worked with 1000+ high school students so far and offers 600+ research specializations for you to choose from. You can find the application link here!
Image source: University of Illinois logo
