Externships - what kind of hours?

[klone, MSN, RN]

Those of you who are doing externships during the school year, just wondering how many hours you work a week, what your hours are like, etc. Do you have a set schedule every week or can you do different hours or shifts each week, depending on your schedule? Are they pretty flexible about working around your school schedule? For those who are currently doing externships that will continue into the summer, are you able to/planning on going fulltime during the summer when you're not in class?

[twarlik]

I work one 8 hours shift a week. They are very understanding of my school work and understand that there will be weeks that I won't be available. I make my own schedule and work when I want. In the unit I'm on, they don't really treat the externs as "staff." It is an educational experience that you just happen to get paid for.

As for summer...I might try and put in some extra hours, but I will also be taking some classes.

[chris_at_lucas_RN, RN]

When I interviewed for nurse externship positions, I wanted to work full time (36 hours at my hospital). There are no special "externship" positions; nursing students compete for PCT/PCA positions.

There should be a nurse recruiter at the hospital where you are interested in working--get an appointment to visit with the recruiter. Also, introduce yourself to the HR person who hires PCT's. Sometimes that's the person who will know where there is an opening and who will advocate for you.

Good luck!