Really dumb externship question,etc..

DroogieRN · Jun 12, 2010

Well, I can only speak from my own experience. I completed an externship last summer, having been selected from a pool of applicants who were all eligible just prior to their (our) last year of nursing school. Mine was a paid externship, in which I shadowed an RN preceptor for six weeks. For all intents and purposes, I was a "glorified CNA," but I was also able to observe and participate in certain procedures under the RN's guidance. The hands-on experience with the patients, though -- especially for me, someone with no patient care experience prior to nursing school -- was priceless.

To answer your questions:

1. It depends. My externship essentially gave me 240 clinical hours more than my classmates and weighed heavily in my being offered a job at the same hospital before my May 2010 graduation. Because being selected in itself was an accomplishment, it looked good on my resume.

2. In my case, it was good grades, great recommendations from clinical instructors and being well-spoken and prepared in the interview...essentially the same things that will go far in helping you in any job search.

Good luck!

klone, MSN, RN · Jun 12, 2010

I worked as a nurse extern during my last year of nursing school. It was paid (I think around $12/hour), and I started in June and worked through the summer, throughout the last year of school, and then became an extern II after graduation (but before NCLEX). Being an extern in that department is absolutely why I was hired as a new grad (I was the only one).

RhodyGirl, RN · Jun 12, 2010

I know, this is dumb, but what exactly is an externship?
I hope that once i graduate from my R.N program (1.5 years) I could start in ped. oncology, NICU, or PICU. Could an externship help me get a future position?
Also, what could I do now to increase my chances and help me stand out from other applicants.
Thanks!

Definitely not a dumb question!

It's good that you're thinking ahead. I am starting my senior year in the fall and started applying for student nurse internships this past March. You'll need to put together a resume and recommendations from clinical instructors. If you're interested in peds, see if your peds clinical instructor can write you a letter of recommendation, and apply to a children's hospital if there are student positions open.

I took an honors internship at the VA hospital in my state, which gives me 400 hours with a nurse preceptor over the summer, and 400 hours to work during the school year. If I do well and there are RN openings in May, I will get preference for a new grad position. The hourly rate is about $22/hr for the student internship. Regular interns (Student Nurse Tech program .. non-honors) at the VA are paid $16/hr.

Two other internship jobs that I was offered also give preference to their interns for future RN jobs. So, yes, I think it definitely is a foot in the door. Try and keep your grades up (I have all A's and B's which really helped), be ready to answer clinically-based questions (what would you do if your patient was....etc....) and be confident in your interviews. Also, another thing that the employers really liked was that I am involved on my campus with the Student Nurses Association as an officer. Do whatever you can to make yourself shine!

Apply anywhere you can, and maybe even volunteer at a children's hospital if there are no openings at the time.

Good luck!

ERsn · Jun 13, 2010

Thanks everyone for your help!!!!

Multicollinearity, BSN, RN · Jun 13, 2010

It is hugely valuable. It can be the difference between getting a job and not.

JustinTJ, ADN, BSN · Jun 13, 2010

I worked as a nurse extern during my last year of nursing school. It was paid (I think around $12/hour), and I started in June and worked through the summer, throughout the last year of school, and then became an extern II after graduation (but before NCLEX). Being an extern in that department is absolutely why I was hired as a new grad (I was the only one).

Exact same scenario, but I was paid $14+$2 for nights. Worked until I had my ATT, then started precepting as a GN. Last week became a RN, and I was the only new grad hired. It helps to get your foot in the door and is huge for getting a job post graduation. It sucked working full time while doing school full time the last year, but it was well worth it in both experience and RN employment. I had C, C, C, B my four semesters of nursing school, so grades didn't matter. They take people they already know over ones they don't.

bear_mom · Jun 13, 2010

I worked as an extern before my last year of school. The program I worked at was great - it was 12 weeks long. For 9 of the weeks you followed your RN for 2 days and on the 3rd day you got to go to a specialty area (OR, ICU, Cardiology, ER, Gamma Knife, Invasive Imaging, OB, etc) to give you chance to see different areas. My preceptor was GREAT, I learned so much that summer. I started IVs, put down NGs, etc.

It did help me get a job when I graduated, I was still an employee of the hospital and the manager had me fill an empty position. I didn't even have to interview for it.

Emily