Quick Summary: Nashville is one of the fastest-growing healthcare hubs in the United States. For high school students, that means real access to world-class medical institutions, research labs, and clinical settings. Getting hands-on experience early builds practical skills, strengthens college applications, and helps you identify the healthcare career path that is right for you. This blog breaks down the top healthcare internships and research programs available to high school students in Nashville right now.
Why Healthcare Internships Matter for High School Students in Nashville
Participating in a healthcare internship or research program as a high school student in Nashville is not just about impressing college admissions officers, though it certainly does that.
It is about developing scientific thinking, learning how hospitals and public health systems actually function, understanding what different healthcare careers involve, and building the resilience and curiosity that strong healthcare professionals carry throughout their careers.
Whether you are drawn to pediatrics, public health, biomedical research, or clinical medicine, Nashville's programs offer the hands-on foundation you need. Start exploring, apply early, and take full advantage of the exceptional healthcare community this city has to offer.
Here is a carefully compiled list of the top healthcare internships and research programs available to high school students in Nashville and across Tennessee.
1. Research Experience for High School Students (REHSS) — Vanderbilt University
What it is: One of the most prestigious healthcare research programs for high school students in Nashville, REHSS is an intensive six-week scientific research internship at Vanderbilt University. Students are fully immersed in a Vanderbilt University or Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC) research lab, where they work on independent research projects under the direct mentorship of a faculty member.
Who can apply: The program is designed for rising high school seniors, particularly those enrolled in the Interdisciplinary Science and Research (ISR) Program at select Nashville schools including Stratford STEM, John Overton, and Hillsboro High School.
What you gain: Hands-on experience in biomedical research, environmental science, or engineering; exposure to real academic lab environments; and mentorship from faculty at one of the country's top research medical centers.
Cost: Free
How to apply: Applications are reviewed in the spring semester of a student's junior year, taking into account grades, course rigor, essays, and two letters of recommendation.
2. Summer High-School Internships in Research Experiences (SHIRE) — Vanderbilt University
What it is: Launched in 2024 in partnership with The Ayin Project and Nashville's POWER Youth Summer Employment Initiative, SHIRE is a paid summer internship program for rising juniors and seniors in the ISR program. In 2025, students explored fields including Cancer Biology and Sustainable Engineering, working with scientists from Vanderbilt's Collaborative for STEM Education and Outreach.
Who can apply: Rising juniors and seniors enrolled in Vanderbilt's ISR partner schools in Nashville.
What you gain: Paid research experience, professional skill development, mentorship from Vanderbilt scientists, and real-world exposure to healthcare and STEM career pathways.
Why it stands out: Unlike many unpaid programs, SHIRE provides financial compensation, making it accessible to a broader range of students.
3. Vanderbilt University Medical Center Observational Experience (VOE)
What it is: The VUMC Observational Experience program gives high school students the opportunity to observe medical professionals at work inside one of Nashville's most prominent academic medical centers. Students follow healthcare providers in their daily roles, gaining an insider's view of how clinical medicine operates.
Who can apply: High school students whose school has an active affiliation agreement with Vanderbilt University Medical Center.
What you gain: Real clinical exposure, an understanding of different healthcare roles, and foundational experience that is valuable for pre-med and health science college applications.
Important notes: Students cannot observe in certain high-acuity settings such as the Emergency Department or Operating Room. Background checks are required for observers aged 18 and older
4. Strive Teen Volunteer Program — Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt
What it is: Strive is a structured three-week volunteer program at Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt, one of the top-ranked children's hospitals in the Southeast. The program is specifically designed to provide teens with meaningful, supervised experience in a pediatric hospital setting.
Who can apply: Teens ages 16 to 18. All applicants for the 2026 program must have turned 16 by December 31, 2025. Two references from non-family members are required.
What you gain: Direct experience in a pediatric hospital environment, professional development, and a better understanding of healthcare careers. Two sessions are offered in Summer 2026 — one in June and one in July.
5. Tennessee Governor's Schools — Sciences and Health Tracks
What it is: The Tennessee Governor's Schools offer eleven intensive summer residential programs for gifted rising 11th and 12th graders. Hosted at universities across the state, these programs cover STEM, health sciences, computational sciences, and more. Several tracks are directly relevant to healthcare and biomedical careers, including the Governor's School for Scientific Models and Data Analysis (ETSU) and the Governor's School for the Sciences (Austin Peay State University).
Who can apply: Rising 11th and 12th graders attending Tennessee public or private high schools, nominated by a school counselor or principal.
What you gain: College-level coursework, laboratory experience, research exposure, peer collaboration, and in many cases, college credit — all at no cost to students.
Tips for Applying to Healthcare Internships and Research Programs in Nashville
Getting accepted to competitive programs requires more than just interest. Here are a few practical tips to strengthen your application:
Start early. Most programs in Nashville have application deadlines in winter or early spring, some as early as December. Research programs well in advance and set reminders for key dates.
Build relevant coursework. Courses in biology, chemistry, statistics, and anatomy will make your application more competitive and your lab experience more meaningful.
Secure strong letters of recommendation. Faculty mentors and school counselors should know you well enough to speak to your academic ability and genuine interest in healthcare.
Write a compelling personal statement. Programs like REHSS evaluate essays as a key part of the application. Be specific about why you want to pursue healthcare or biomedical research.
Apply to multiple programs. Acceptance rates at Vanderbilt programs and Governor's Schools are highly selective. Cast a wide net and apply to several opportunities.
Gain baseline experience first. If you have not yet worked in any healthcare setting, consider starting with a local hospital volunteer role or a shadowing placement before applying to competitive research programs.
If you are a high school student looking to pair your volunteer work with original academic research, RISE Research offers one-on-one mentorship with PhD scholars from the world's top universities. With published research outcomes and flexible scheduling, RISE helps you build the kind of intellectual profile that Ivy League admissions committees remember.
PAA / FAQ
Q: Can students from outside Nashville or Tennessee apply to these programs?
A: Most programs are open only to Tennessee students, and several Vanderbilt programs are restricted to specific Nashville-area partner schools. The Tennessee Governor's Schools are the broadest option, accepting students from all 95 counties statewide. Out-of-state students should explore national alternatives such as NIH-affiliated programs or the American Medical Association's student initiatives.
Q: Are there options in Nashville for students younger than 16?
A: Most formal programs require participants to be at least 16 due to hospital liability policies. Younger students can build a strong foundation through school science clubs, dual enrollment health science courses, or online mentorship platforms like Polygence that have no age minimum.
Q: What is the difference between a research program, a clinical internship, and a volunteer program?
A: A research program places you in a lab to contribute to or conduct scientific studies. A clinical internship or observational program lets you shadow healthcare providers in hospital settings. A volunteer program involves direct patient or family support in a non-medical capacity — and the most competitive applicants typically have experience across more than one format.
Author: Written by Wahiq Iqbal
Wahiq Iqbal is the Head of Growth & Automations at RISE Global Education, where he builds scalable systems that connect business strategy with seamless user experience. He is an operations and UX professional with a background in Computer Science and design. He thrives at the intersection of design, technology, and operations—solving complex problems, building efficient processes, and creating fast, human-centered systems that drive measurable growth.
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