Nurse externships during Summer?

U.S.A. Texas

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Hello everyone!!

I'm a Nursing student in Arizona but I want to relocate to Texas after nursing school. I am enrolled in a program where I get my Associate degree and Bachelor's almost at the same time - I will get my ADN in May 2018 and my BSN in December 2018. For my BSN I will just have to complete one online class after May next year. I thought about just moving to Texas after May next year and looking for a job/applying but I'm not sure if hospitals would hire a new grad with an ADN/in process of getting their BSN?

For this year I'm super interested in any nurse externships/internships/paid positions over the summer if anyone knows something I could apply for? I will have completed my second semester of nursing school by then and will have med/surg and psych this semester.

Also - it looks like Houston or Dallas would be pretty perfect for me personally. Is one city better over the other in terms of finding a job/living expenses?

Thank you so much!

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Specializes in Critical Care, Education.

Sorry - I am not aware of any Summer externships, but there may be some opportunities out there. I would suggest that you contact the major hospital systems for more information.

As far as a location preference. . . I'm obviously biased. But you need to make a choice that fits YOU. Have you actually visited either or both places? There are distinct differences. Are you beach-oriented? Do you want to ditch your cold weather gear & ice scraper entirely? Are you OK with living in a Bikram city for 3 months each year? If so, Houston would fit the bill.

Major health care systems in both locations are well on the road to BSN-only jobs in their hospitals. But I do know a couple of new ADN grads who were hired in Memorial-Hermann (Houston) facilities with the proviso that they obtain their BSN within 2 years.

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Thank you! I contacted some already and there are some opportunities so I'm in the process of applying :) I am enrolled in a BSN program but I take ADN and BSN classes at the same time and I will get both degrees once I'm done. It's the same here in Phoenix that they prefer BSN grads. I personally would definitely prefer Houston but I have family in Dallas so I'm open to Dallas too.

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Specializes in Cardiac (adult), CC, Peds, MH/Substance.

Like Houston, most of the large hospitals in DFW prefer BSNs. However, the application process may afford you the opportunity to explain yours is almost done. That may or may not give you a leg up. Large hospitals/systems to look at in DFW are THR, JPS, Parkland, UT Southwestern, Baylor, Methodist, and HCA. There are also many smaller hospitals/groups (skim around Indeed to start building a list). Smaller hospitals seem to be more likely to hire ADNs. However, if you dedicate time to larger hospital systems and talk to their recruiters they will generally be honest about your chances. They will also be valuable contacts once your BSN is done even if you aren't initially hired there.

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