Do any RN's out there think that I should as a student

[nurseRNtobe]

I am a nursing student that has one more year to go. During this summer a lot of other students are working as nursing interns. I signed up for one but recently found out that they had to cancel the program at the hospital b/c of money problems. Now it is too late for me to get in on another one. I have called the hospitals in the area and they are now full.

But one hospital wants me to come in as an aid to work. Is this a good tool for learning to become an RN? They have been very persistent with me and I am a little hesitent b/c a lot of other people have said that this will not help me for my senior year. One of my clincial instructors said that she thought just studying and reading at home would be great for starting my senior year.

I am a mom of 4 and need to spend my time wisely this summer. I have 2 classes also to take this summer. I am very concerned that I will be behind the other students when clinicals start in the Fall.

I am still not sure where to go with this. From any of your experiences what do you think is best for me to do this summer in regards to keeping up with the others??

Thanks

[jemb]

Working as an aid/nursing assistant would be great experience for you. You won't get to do some of the things that the hospital might allow interns to do, but you will get other very valuable expeience. Such a job would definitely increase your skill in organizing your time and duties for each shift, and you will probably get the opportunity to assist with certain procedures even if you aren't the one actually doing them.

Just being in the 'real life' setting of the hospital instead of the student role will have tremendous benefits for you i your future clinicals.

[maura66]

Do you have any clincal nursing experience? You may not learn nursing as an aide, but you will gain valuable experience understanding what it's like in the "real world" of healthcare. You will gain patient-client skills and learn how to organize your time and prioritize. I have always felt that there is not enough "real" clinical time afforded to nursing students. Even if you do it only for a little while, I think it would be a valuable experience. I say do it.

[maura66]

jemb- were you reading my mind?

[nurseRNtobe]

Yes, my clincal experience has been med surg at 2 different hospitals, geriatrics for 8 weeks, peds and right now I am in labor and delivery.

If I didn't do anything this summer would I be hurting myself???

Thanks for the responses.

:)

[jemb]

jemb- were you reading my mind?

Must have been mutual. :chuckle

[SC RN, RN]

Yes, my clincal experience has been med surg at 2 different hospitals, geriatrics for 8 weeks, peds and right now I am in labor and delivery.

If I didn't do anything this summer would I be hurting myself???

Thanks for the responses.

:)

I think they meant clinical experience as actual work (paid) in a hospital setting. Clinicals through your school are nothing like the "real world" of actually working on a floor on your own. That said, I'm an "aide" (or Nurse Tech as they call it, too) and I love the experience. The pay sucks but I get great exposure and the nurses pull me in on every interesting case. It's so worth it. Just my twi cents.

[chris_at_lucas_RN, RN]

I agree--it would probably be great experience.

One thing almost all nursing students seem to have to get past is the sense of ill-at-ease when first taking care of patients. Being an aide gives you lots of opportunity to help in ways that are important, but not life threatening, if that makes sense.

You can develop your sense of relating to patients in beds, and get comfortable with hands-on (literally!) caring. The only impediment I can see is if the hours are such that it interferes with studying, or if the pay or situation is so poor it is depressing or overwhelming.

Have at it--all an extern is, really, is an aide who has been to at least a semester of nursing clinicals, and who gets paid a little mroe (usually).

Nothing is ever lost from an opportunity taken. Nothing is ever gained from an opportunity missed. (that's an original.... :) )

Good luck~!

[redwinggirlie]

The best nurses I've worked with have been techs before. They know the deal. Do it and learn!

All my best.

[PennyLane, RN]

I work as a tech now while in school, and the nurse manager there says she only hires new grads in the icu (where I am) if they've worked as a tech in an ICU while in school.

I say go for it! I've seen so much more there than I've seen all semester in my clinicals. Plus the nurses are pretty open to answering questions and teaching me things.

[melrey11]

I had no experience, did fine in nursing school, learned everything I needed to know on-the-job. Few people in my class had previous "tech" experience, but they did not have an advantage academically. I would spend time with my family, enjoy your summer. my 2 cents. Good Luck