[dano]

I got an externship at one of the largest and most respected hospitals in the Detroit area! The charge nurse of the unit I did my first clinical on (internal medicine) told us she was looking to hire some externs and she picked two of us for the unit.

I'm finishing up my second semester of my BSN program and will be graduating in spring 2009. The externship is 48 months so that will work out perfect.

It's a dream job for me. The pay is excellent, tuition reimbursement and you pick your own hours up to 40 hours/week. It also means I get to leave my crappy retail job that I've been at for almost 7 years.

The one thing I've learned on here and from other nurses is that having a staff you can work is an absolute must. I love my charge nurse, the case manager is awesome, most of the nurses are amazing to work with (a few are grouchy but none I can't stand), and the nursing assistants are friendly and as helpful as can be.

I'm even more excited because I'll finally be making enough money to move out my own.

[TraumaICURN]

I know that you're all excited about your new job....But my advice to you would be to stay with your parents until you finish school. There will be those tough semesters where you won't be able to work 40 hrs. Besides, it's cheaper that way.

I moved out when I was 19. I wish I would have waited until I finished school. It would have been so much more easier for me.

GOOD LUCK!!!

[dano]

Originally Posted by TraumaICURN

I know that you're all excited about your new job....But my advice to you would be to stay with your parents until you finish school. There will be those tough semesters where you won't be able to work 40 hrs. Besides, it's cheaper that way.

I moved out when I was 19. I wish I would have waited until I finished school. It would have been so much more easier for me.

GOOD LUCK!!!

I live with my mother, 87 year old grandmother, 20 year old bipolar sister and my 10 month old nephew. This place is chaos. I need to move out.

On top of that, I drive 1/2 hour every day to school. If I lived in the apartments that I'm looking at now, school and work are a 5 minute drive away.

[wugfun]

Hurrah! Way to go!:hatparty: Can't wait to join you! It would be great to finally quit my current job!

[wugfun]

If you can find an affordable, peaceful place, close to work and school, then move. Sometimes living free with family can cost more than paying rent, if you know what I mean.

[Mommy TeleRN]

Just live very cheaply and be frugal - cutting out the commute and being able to make the most of QUIET uninterrupted study time may really make your time much more productive. Plus if you live close to your job they may let you pick up short shifts too like 4 or 6 hrs on times when you have a lot going on and don't have time with school for an 8 or 12 hr.

I have been an extern for the past year of school and have gained a lot of valuable experience. I feel this has helped me sooo much more than just clinicals. In clinicals I learn a lot more about meds as I get to give them, but at my job I have learned a LOT more about patient care in general. I help out the CNAs a lot and have learned a load from them. And getting to assist nurses with procedures...I have watched many different ones in action and learn something from each one. I have also witnessed patients going bad and watched the progression of them being transferred to the ICU. Seeing them do all the stat labs and xrays etc has really helped me learn s/s of what to look for and what to do about it.
However - my job is a really long commute so when I go I have to go for a minimum 10 hrs..pref 12 to make it worth the commute. This has limited the time I can work. There have been MANY days where I could have gone in for 4 hrs if it were close by.

Congratulations!

[bopps]

Yeah for you! I can't wait to move out either. Are you by any chance going to work for Oakwood Health systems? I lived in the Detriot area untill I was 14(Allen Park) and remember that that's a great place to work. One of our neighbors was an RN and worked in the OB department. I'm your age and I am so ready to move out too. I graduate in 2 wks, and I can hardly wait.

[dano]

Originally Posted by bopps

Yeah for you! I can't wait to move out either. Are you by any chance going to work for Oakwood Health systems? I lived in the Detriot area untill I was 14(Allen Park) and remember that that's a great place to work. One of our neighbors was an RN and worked in the OB department. I'm your age and I am so ready to move out too. I graduate in 2 wks, and I can hardly wait.

Nope, I'll be at the main Henry Ford Hospital downtown. I do have a friend that got an externship at Oakwood though, and I believe my psych clinical will be there in fall.

I was born there too.