Nursing Student Calling a NURSE RECRUITER?

[kv07]

Hello Everyone,

Well...I am currently a year away from graduating with my RN-BSN and have been filling out a few applications on line for EXTERNSHIP positions. As we all probably know...there are very little externship positions open for all of us nursing students. So, the chances of getting one is very tough and competitive as it seems like everyone would want one.

I've applied to a few and wanted to ask opinions from you guys (nurse managers, nurse recruiters, other nurses) what you guys would think about me calling to follow up on an extern position? I'm a little bit nervous to call because I've never really called about something like this before.

If you guys suggest I call, what would I say and ask? And what is appropriate to ask the nurse recruiter?

Hoping you guys can all help me out.

Thanks!

[GradNurseFL]

Hey! I'm a grad nurse and I just finished my BSN in April. I'm studying for my NCLEX now and I have called nurse recruiters and/or nurse managers before. I've actually been calling nurse managers more since I'm currently looking to land an RN position. However, during my last month of school I was very interested in "graduate nurse programs" so I called up several hospitals around my area and asked to be connected to Human Resources, from there, I asked to speak with the nurse recruiter. They are usually pretty friendly and you can just casually ask them whatever questions that you have. For example, I just told them that I was in my senior year of nursing school and I was wondering what graduate nurse opportunities were available at that hospital. Since you're looking for externships, you would go ahead and ask about those programs. Just let them know your status in school and what your interests are. My school sometimes had postings on a bulletin board in our building about nurse externship programs so maybe you could ask your faculty about those opportunities as well.

Good luck :]