Anybody get an internship?

kristandrews · Dec 9, 2010

i applied for 17 positions this past summer (internships and tech jobs) and never got a response from anyone. i had no idea that getting a job involves more than submitting an application, resume, and references, and waiting for a response. i ended up volunteering with hospice after months of waiting. i'm not sure what an effective way to get a job is, but definitely do more than just apply! i wish you the best of luck, and maybe you could check out the new grad topics on allnurses that talk about getting a job. i bet getting an internship is similar to getting a nursing job, so maybe all of the advice will help! sorry to not be of more help! and best of luck!

krazylady · Dec 9, 2010

Our school sets up "externships" for you. You can choose summer break or winter break. They are optional, but good to have. You have to give some choices of where and what, and then they try to match you up. We have the option of 2 credits (120 hours) or 3 credits (150) hours.

*4!#6 · Dec 9, 2010

Thanks kristandrews! I thought I had applied to a lot with 6 applications. Here is crossing my fingers, maybe I should call or something too.

cogath · Feb 12, 2011

This is the OP: Here are my stats so far --

Applied For: 5 (Didn't end up finishing the 6th)

Interviews: 3 (1 rejection, 1 still waiting for a reply). Two are unpaid and one is paid.

Acceptance: None (will know in the next two weeks, crossing my fingers and not try to get hopes up -- this is a v. competitive market right now, and I am an introvert so interviews are challenging for me)

I was told my interviewers that to be considered you needed to be a BSN student, have healthcare expereince, have extracircullar/leadership experiences, have excellent grades, and an outstanding application. I assume if you had excellent interpersonal/interview skills and a shining personality it would be the ticket. We'll see how I fare.

anon695 · Feb 12, 2011

This was for summer 2010, when I was entering my second year of a hybrid diploma/Associate's program:

Applied for: 5

Interviews: 2 (was rejected for one, but was selected for the other)

Acceptance: The one I was offered

All the externship programs in my area where I applied wanted an academic resume, a transcript, recommendation letters from clinical instructors, and one wanted a personal essay. None wanted "leadership and extra-curriculars" (I'm in my early 30's so my extra-curriculars as a non-trad are cleaning the bathroom and going grocery shopping). I'm not in a BSN program but I have a previous non-related BA from a prestigious liberal arts school, I guess that was good enough!

cogath · Feb 12, 2011

Congrats Anon! I hope your experience went well. Can you tell me about it?

anon695 · Feb 12, 2011

It was immensely valuable. I was put on a med-surg floor with one preceptor and when I returned to school for my second year, I was way ahead of the curve in clinical. I'll find out in a few months if having the externship helps me get a nursing job after graduation, but for now all I can say is that it's worth it to apply to every externship program you can reasonably commute to, and re-arrange your summer schedule with the externship as a priority.

cogath · Feb 25, 2011

OP here again, here's my stats:

Applied For: 6

Interviews: 3 (1 app still pending)

Accepted: 1

Waitlisted: 1

Rejected: 1

I am the last person you would expect to get an internship, so I am so happy! I am proof that with persistence, hard work, and sheer numbers, you can end up with an internship.

Avocadoloveer · Apr 25, 2011

applied to: 3

accepted: 2

rejected: 1 cuz I did my internship there. hahaa... they said only one in a lifetime experience

juts wondering did anyone ever have a hard time choosing between two internships? how did you decide which one to choose?