How are summer externships going?

Achoo!, LPN · Jul 17, 2004

I am doing CNA clinicals now. I have been a medical assistant for over 10 years and learning the hospital aspect instead of the clinic aspect has been great. It's alot of hard work with the transferring and lifting, but I am learning alot. It's definately helping me get my feet wet. Too bad there is such a long waiting list to start the nursing program, I am itching to get started!

nurstudnt546, BSN, RN · Jul 17, 2004

Hi,

I'm 6 weeks into my summer externship and sadly only have 2 more weeks to go. I am enjoying every minute of it. I did have a couple of "bad" shifts but only because I was having some "dumb" moments and I was hard on myself. My preceptor was really cool and nice in the beginning but I think her patience with me is starting to wear off; not the best preceptor material from some personal experiences but on the first day she did mention that she wasn't really up for the task in the first place - but I'm still appreciative of the time she has taken to work w/ me regardless.

As you said there are those days where I feel as though I haven't learned a thing in school (and I'm thinking, "I'm graduating in only one more semester? Boy, am I in trouble!!!) but most days I feel really good, like a real nurse! (Maybe not the best nurse but hey, it's a start).

This experience has gotten me really excited for next semester. I've learned to manage my time a little better and hopefully I'll be more prepared to take on all the things they have us do as student nurses (which some days are impossible to complete).

Oh yeah, I've also quickly learned about the difference between "real world" nursing and nursing "from the book" (which is what they teach us in school) ... *LoL*

nurstudnt546, BSN, RN · Jul 17, 2004

I forgot to mention the shift and unit I am doing my extern in (in case anyone is interested):

Night shift

IMC (Intermediate Care)

- this unit is supposed to receive mainly trauma patients from the ICU but they also get overflow med-surg and telemetry patients, so it's basically "a melting pot" type of unit (which is good for me, more patients to care for and learn from!)

sweetyjen · Jul 24, 2004

Hi! My extern program has been great! Next Friday is my last day! I can't believe it's already over! It has helped me so much, I feel 100% more confident in my skills and just the basics of patient care. It has gotten me excited also, about next semester. I feel like I am a step ahead of the others in my class that did not get to have this experience. It has been wonderful! There is so much to learn in nursing outside of nursing school. School gives you the basics but then once you actually get out there is how you learn how things really are. This experience has been awesome and I highly recommend an externship to any other nursing student out there. DO IT! You will be so glad you did!!!

JudithL_in_NH · Jul 24, 2004

Hi! My extern program has been great! Next Friday is my last day! I can't believe it's already over! It has helped me so much, I feel 100% more confident in my skills and just the basics of patient care. It has gotten me excited also, about next semester. I feel like I am a step ahead of the others in my class that did not get to have this experience. It has been wonderful! There is so much to learn in nursing outside of nursing school. School gives you the basics but then once you actually get out there is how you learn how things really are. This experience has been awesome and I highly recommend an externship to any other nursing student out there. DO IT! You will be so glad you did!!!

My externship ended on Friday, and I second all that sweetyjen has said.

I feel that I'll be a much stronger student, both clinically and in theory, when I go back in a month. If an externship is available to you (you can ask your state's BON which facilities they're offered at) Go for it!

Wheaties · Jul 24, 2004

can you folks describe a typical day on the job as an extern? are you always busy?

i plan to become an extern in the upcoming spring semester, which is a long time from now, but i would like to get an idea of what kind of things an extern gets to do and what a typical day is like on the job.

i've never had a job in the hospital, and i dont want to feel like i dont know what i'm doing as a result of not having worked at a hospital before. the only job i have had before is a newspaper carrier, which i deliver the newspaper to people's houses early in the morning, which is a very individualized work by the way.

sweetyjen · Jul 25, 2004

Well the typical day as an extern is exactly like a typical day of a nurse! I arrive on the floor at 6:50 am and get my assignment with my preceptor and then we get report. Go look at charts to review orders, meds, etc... then go do the initial assessments. I chart after each assessment. Then we pass meds whenever it's time and do baths or whatever needs to be done. I am always busy. You really learn what it's like to be a nurse. The only thing we are not allowed to do is actually give meds. We cannot "take" orders either. But we can start IV's, foleys, ng tubes, take all those out, discharge... tons of things. It is a great experience and I suggest you do it while you can because once you graduate and start as an RN you will be soley responsible for your patients... :)

can you folks describe a typical day on the job as an extern? are you always busy?
i plan to become an extern in the upcoming spring semester, which is a long time from now, but i would like to get an idea of what kind of things an extern gets to do and what a typical day is like on the job.
i've never had a job in the hospital, and i dont want to feel like i dont know what i'm doing as a result of not having worked at a hospital before. the only job i have had before is a newspaper carrier, which i deliver the newspaper to people's houses early in the morning, which is a very individualized work by the way.

Mariannsi · Jul 28, 2004

I'm am currently working with a preceptor in ICU and loving every minute of it. I will be going into my last semester and this will experience will definately help me reach my potential. I call this type of experience reality nursing. Whoever thought of this type of program should commended. I say to anyone who is in nursing take advantage of any extern program offered -- you'll only benefit from it both professionally and personally.

Regards,

Mare

Jen2 · Jul 28, 2004

I just finished my extership last week and it was wonderful. I was on a Med/Surg unit first and I liked it, but my preceptor scared me. My first day there she handed me the phone and all six patients and said, "Come get me if you need me." I went and got her when there were meds due etc. I was doing all of the assessments and charting and I found out that she was not following my assessments and just signing off on my head to toe without even assessing the patient. I finally called her on it after posting on this message board and other nurses were telling me that I better watch because I don't want to lose a liscense before I even get it. She wasn't too happy about it, but she did start assessing patients after that. Then I went into the ED. I loved it there. My preceptor was so awesome and challenged me every day. I even got to take a ride in the helicoptor from the roof to the landing pad. I have learned that nursing school is hard because nursing is hard and I'm going to love every minute of it.

LauraLou · Jul 28, 2004

I'm so glad everyone else is having a great experience. I wish I could say the same. My title is Nurse Extern, but all I do is CNA work. I pass linens, make beds, take vitals and fill water pitchers. It is physically exhausting. Making 30 beds really makes my back hurt and I don't get to sit down more than five mintues at a time for 12 hrs. The only nursing type activity I get to do is d/c foleys. I can't insert foleys, d/c IVs or perform assessments. I have been working at the hospital since the first week of May and it has taken all my willpower not to quit. I have four more weeks of working full time. I am supposed to work one shift a week after I return to school, but I really don't want to do that. I thought this was going to be such an exciting opportunity, but instead it has been the longest summer of my life!

sweetyjen · Jul 31, 2004

Hi! I am so sorry that you had a "different" experience. They should've told you upfront that it would be like that. I guess you did get some experience in some patient care at least. I think that is really helpful. Too bad you did not get the kind of experience that you would have liked to.

I'm so glad everyone else is having a great experience. I wish I could say the same. My title is Nurse Extern, but all I do is CNA work. I pass linens, make beds, take vitals and fill water pitchers. It is physically exhausting. Making 30 beds really makes my back hurt and I don't get to sit down more than five mintues at a time for 12 hrs. The only nursing type activity I get to do is d/c foleys. I can't insert foleys, d/c IVs or perform assessments. I have been working at the hospital since the first week of May and it has taken all my willpower not to quit. I have four more weeks of working full time. I am supposed to work one shift a week after I return to school, but I really don't want to do that. I thought this was going to be such an exciting opportunity, but instead it has been the longest summer of my life!