Career Advice

llg, PhD, RN · Oct 30, 2014

It's a tough choice to make. I was in a similar situation back as an undergrad many years ago -- 6 week full scholarship to study abroad vs. a top-notch externship at a major hospital. I chose to spend 6 weeks at Oxford University, England because it had been a life-long dream of mine to attend Oxford.

I don't regret my decision, but it DID hurt my career. In my senior year, I was less skilled and less comfortable in clinical situations than my classmates who had spent their summers in various internships/externships. My clinical grads suffered and I missed out on some nursing learning opportunities that would have been helpful down the road in my career (long story). But I don't regret my decision because it was perhaps the best 6 weeks of my life.

A 2-week research opportunity ... Is it worth skipping the benefits of an internship for? How much will you really learn in those 2 weeks? Will it lead to a full time job after graduation ... or to a graduate school opportunity that your really want? Or will it be more of a "fun thing to do" that will enrich your education, but not lead anywhere? You need to assess that.

Also, will there be other ways to get the opportunities you will miss because of choosing "the other" opportunity? For example, there WILL be other opportunities to travel abroad and there will be other opportunities to help with research. Is there something so unique and special about this particular opportunity that you won't be able to make up for it later? And as for the internship opportunity ... are there other ways to get that good clinical experience (and job connections) before you graduate and enter the job market, such as a part time job during the school year or a senior capstone experience or independent study?

When I graduated a long time ago, the job market was different. Even though I did not do an internship/externship, I was still able to get my first choice of a job. What is the job market like in your area? Will you be able to get a good job if you do the research thing?

I am a big believer in following your heart. That's what I did year's ago and I don't regret it. But I did pay a price in terms of my career. The clinical opportunities I missed out on have cost me over the years and I have wished I could have done both programs. My advice is to imagine you choose one of those 2 opportunities and "play it out" over the next few years in your imagination. What price might you have to pay for choosing the one you imagine choosing? Are you willing to pay that price? Then imagine making the other choice and similarly imagining what the consequences of that will be and what price you will have to pay. Which potential consequences are you most willing to live with?

Good luck with whatever you decide.

SierraBravo · Oct 30, 2014

I agree with the above post, the internship will be of far more benefit to your career. One of my friends wanted so desperately to work in a certain area of the hospital I work in, but she couldn't even get a call back. She contacted the nurse manager directly and still no response. Then I met some new grads who were hired onto the unit she wanted to work on, so I asked them how they got the jobs. They said that they did a summer internship and the nurse manager and staff were able to see their work ethic and determine if they would be a good fit for the unit. The squeaky wheel gets the grease...

Guttercat, ASN, RN · Oct 30, 2014

Research project abroad. Hands down.

It will not only help you land that position you want out of school (looks good on a resume, especially if you write a bang up report filled with nifty looking graphs and data that you can attach to your job application), but also will serve you well when and if you apply to grad school.

An internship is the go-to choice when hoping to work at a particular hospital in a particular unit. Still, it's no guarantee of a job there. Internships are basically the weeding processes used by hospitals to either develop and narrow a large pool of new grad applicants, and or to court fresh-faced (naive) newbies into a unit that no one with half a brain (or a more than a year of experience) wants to work in.

Really, you can't lose with either option. But only you can decide which is better for your own long range goals.

Farawyn · Oct 30, 2014

Research abroad. Because not everyone gets that opportunity.

Home Health Columnist / Guide · Oct 30, 2014

As hiring Manager, I'd be impressed with Research abroad as rare phenomena shows your willing to go above and beyond.

llg, PhD, RN · Oct 31, 2014

Actually, NRSKaren, I have noticed a dramatic increase in the number of applications we have received in the past couple of years from students/new grads who have done "mission trips" abroad for a week or two. A lot of schools and church groups are offering such opportunites. It is not all that rare anymore.

When I interview such people, I ask them about their trips -- and am often disappointed in the amount of nursing they did on those trip and what they say they learned from the experience. Of course, some of them -- and some of the students -- are terrific, but some seem more like an opportunity to travel and add an interesting line to a resume -- not deep enough to promote real growth and development. That's why I asked to OP to think about what was so unique about this 2-week opportunity that couldn't be duplicated in a simple abroad + some work here at home doing some research with a local professor. Will the 2-week experience be deep enough to be truly valuable? Maybe.

Guttercat, ASN, RN · Oct 31, 2014

Actually, NRSKaren, I have noticed a dramatic increase in the number of applications we have received in the past couple of years from students/new grads who have done "mission trips" abroad for a week or two. A lot of schools and church groups are offering such opportunites. It is not all that rare anymore.
When I interview such people, I ask them about their trips -- and am often disappointed in the amount of nursing they did on those trip and what they say they learned from the experience. Of course, some of them -- and some of the students -- are terrific, but some seem more like an opportunity to travel and add an interesting line to a resume -- not deep enough to promote real growth and development. That's why I asked to OP to think about what was so unique about this 2-week opportunity that couldn't be duplicated in a simple abroad + some work here at home doing some research with a local professor. Will the 2-week experience be deep enough to be truly valuable? Maybe.

I'm glad you ask them about their trips. Not all study abroad trips are challenging. It depends on the place, and the organization they went in with.

For instance, someone that goes to "Africa" on a medical mission could mean anything from being hand-held and based out of a resort hotel in Johannesburg--complete with local chefs and porters-- to dwelling in a tent among and under giant spiders and bombs in South Sudan.

Someone that is willing to go to the worst of the worst--even for a few weeks--speaks volumes about character and fortitude.

What would be even cooler about such a candidate, is if they gathered, organized, and interpreted data concerning the populace they were serving and how it might translate to Western medicine and thought.

firstinfamily, RN · Oct 31, 2014

It sounds like the opportunity to travel abroad is more common now. To take up this opportunity when you need to focus on your nursing externship may make a difference on how you are able to proceed with your career. You have to make the decision that will benefit you in the end. It is not an easy choice. Have you looked into local research opportunities??