[Student179]

Does anyone know of any hospitals in IL that has opportunities for nursing students to work as an intern or extern for summers? I am looking for next summer. I know it is too early to be thinking about next year, but I want to get that ball rolling b/c i imagine those positions fill up quickly and I am starting my research now.

[rn undisclosed name]

I am not familiar with intern positions for nursing students. I don't believe that's a term hospitals even use. Most hospitals do have extern positions but I think you're a bit too early for next year. While you do want to be proactive about it you should really start looking in February-March to make sure you get something lined up. Most hospitals do list the openings on their websites. Your school should also have some info on externs. We had a couple of schools come and talk to us and also the hospitals we did our clinicals at encouraged us to apply.

I did an externship when I was in school and it was a very valuable experience. Externships are run differently from hospital to hospital. Some only let you extern a couple times a week and others will let you extern everyday you work so it just depends.

[livingthedream]

There are many places with extern options in the city of chicago. Right now I am at UIC - their app was due the first week of April. Then there is Northwestern, Rush, IL Masonic, Children's and a few others that offer summer externships to students. You must be proactive and call and request information. Some of them don't have anything on-line, but you must call.

Good luck!! And it is never too early to start thinking about this - then when you are busy in school you already have your groundwork done!! Each one will require letters of rec. from teachers and stuff....

[rnmomtobe2010]

what part of illinois?

[traumaRUs]

In central IL (Peoria area), the large hospitals both have extern programs: OSF Saint Francis Medical Center and Methodist Medical Center.

[Student179]

Originally Posted by rnmomtobe2010

what part of illinois?

Northern Illinois