YSU nursing student gains hands-on experience through Cleveland Clinic internship

Student Spotlight

Youngstown State University continues to prepare nursing students for real-world success through hands-on learning opportunities, including competitive clinical internships with leading health care systems.

For Victoria Oluwasoorefunmi Olayiwola, that preparation came to life during her summer 2025 internship at Cleveland Clinic Akron General.

Olayiwola, a nursing major set to graduate in May 2026, served as a nurse associate extern from May to July, gaining firsthand experience in a fast-paced clinical environment.

“I always try for the best,” Olayiwola said. “Cleveland Clinic is one of the leading hospitals in the United States and around the world, so getting an internship there meant a lot to me.”

During the internship, she worked alongside nurses assisting with patient care, monitoring vital signs and observing clinical procedures. The experience extended beyond one unit, allowing her to explore multiple specialties across Northeast Ohio.

“I was able to go to different units, including behavioral health and the pediatric intensive care unit, and see how nurses provide care in those spaces,” she said. “It was a very good eye-opener.”

The program also included classroom learning, where interns reviewed clinical concepts such as electrocardiogram interpretation and patient assessment skills, strengthening their clinical foundation.

Olayiwola said her experience at YSU played a key role in preparing her for the internship, both inside and outside the classroom.

“My classes really helped build my confidence,” she said. “Being involved in Housing and Residence Life gave me leadership experience and helped me speak up in professional settings.”

She also credited Career Exploration and Development, including mock interviews, and faculty support during office hours.

“Those experiences helped me prepare for what I was going to say and how to present myself,” she said.

Her performance during the internship led to a full-time offer from Cleveland Clinic Akron General, along with an additional offer from a health care system in the Dayton area.

“I received an offer to return after passing my NCLEX,” she said. “That was a very big opportunity.”

The experience has already begun shaping her career path and strengthening her professional presence.

“Employers see that I worked at Cleveland Clinic and want to know more,” she said. “I have real experiences to talk about.”

As she prepares to graduate, Olayiwola said YSU has equipped her with the foundation needed to transition into the workforce.

“No one is ever fully ready,” she said. “But YSU has given me the foundation I need to move forward and grow as a nurse.”

Looking back on her time at YSU, Olayiwola describes it as transformative.

“It’s been amazing to meet people, experience cultures and explore myself deeper,” she said.

She added that the university environment played a key role in her growth.

“YSU is a very good place to be,” she said. “It gives you the stability and experience you need, and it’s a community where you can connect with people from different walks of life.”

As YSU continues to connect classroom learning with real-world experience, opportunities like this help students build confidence, develop professional skills and prepare for meaningful careers in healthcare and beyond.