advice/experience? please!

bargainhound, RN · Jan 24, 2006

Yes, it is okay to take a summer off. In fact it will help to give yourself a

"mental status" rest.

Antikigirl, ASN, RN · Jan 24, 2006

Ouch, very sorry about your circumstances! That is a toughie!

My own mindset is one of "if I can't take care of me, how can I care for others". But in school, I think I let those things slide because..heck it was nursing school. So I would too be in a real catch 22 there!

Is there a way you can attend internship but have a day a week or every two weeks to go to a spa, or do something for a day for just YOURSELF? Like a mind rest treat on a regular basis to rejuvinate??? It would also be a wonderful treat to look forward to every week as you are working!

If not, can you take a vacation for a week to refresh yourself and still attend?

I find that you can't do much if your mind is full of personal situations...they cloud judgement, increase stress big time, and cause burn out and depression, and shall we talk what it does to the body?! All these things counter productivity and helping patients!!! Try to find a middle ground for your own very legitimate personal needs and your studies, if not...remember this...

When all is said and done, it is YOU not your career that matters! When a child or loved one looks at you, they see YOU first. If you get sick or injured who will be there. Who is it that will lift you up when you are down, and who will need you to be a strong person to lift them up?

I don't see my nursing career doing much of that...I see ME and my FAMILY and Friends doing that..and to me, that is what matters most in life!!! Without myself as I am, and my family...I am only a career...and that sounds very lonely indeed.

epiphany · Jan 24, 2006

An externship is very helpful, but not indispensible. Some people get a foot through the door with it, but jobs are plenty, and many of my classmates got by without it. If you need the break, I would take time off - be nice to yourself.

DusktilDawn · Jan 24, 2006

There's a lot of questions in your post I can't answer. Internships were not an option when I was in school. I will say though that it is not selfish for one to take care of themselves, in fact it can be the most generous thing you not only do for yourself but for others. My sincere condolences in regards to the loss of your father.

pattymac · Jan 24, 2006

Ditto....I never had an internship because I needed the break each summer...I turned out ok. :)

hrtprncss · Jan 24, 2006

I'd take the summer off if i were you, but if you're looking for extra cash then I think you might as well...Most internships are paid right? If it is and you wanna make money on the side then you might as well.

hbncns35 · Jan 24, 2006

Hi,

I am a senior nursing student set to graduate this May and I joined a hospital last May for an extern position. I think it was very helpful to learn what a Tech/Aide/PCT does because when I finally do become a nurse I will know what it is like to be in that position. I will be careful with my words and helpful to those who may also be wanting to be an RN but want to start somewhere. Being aware of another's job description and the ability to teach a wanna be can be rewarding and the more you know now the more you will better be able to be comfortable in your own position and with the facility that you are working in. It helps to be visible to those you may wind up working with and developing relationships on several levels is important. As a student, a colleague an on.

I do think you can learn on the job but if you are already there as an extern there are more opportunities to learn and you may be more comfortable in your position as a new grad. I have found on occasion that some nurses who did not start out as externs found it difficult to delegate and be in a supervisory role. As RN's they were also not as aware of when a tech needed help and/or were not willing to give a helping hand where needed.

It's a great stepping stone and a way to see the entire hospital.

Sometimes you gotta start somewhere...It's nice to appreciate your Tech's if you know exactly what they are going through. Its called Empathy.

And the externs respect you all that much more................

llg, PhD, RN · Jan 24, 2006

The road not taken ...

Life is full of such choices. Whenever we make a choice to do one thing, we are choosing not to do others -- and we have to live with the consequences. Back in 1976 I chose not to participate in an externship because I had another type of opportunity that excited me more. I made my choice knowing that I would ocassionally wonder how my life may have different had I made the opposite choice. In some ways, that choice hurt my career becaue it limited my clinical exposure at a critical point in my development. But in other ways, it helped me intellectually.

Today ... that nurse who turned down that externship offer back in 1976 has a PhD in nursing and runs my hospital's extern program. It's funny how things work out.

Do what feels best to you. If it is a good externship program, it shouldn't be all that stressful. However, if you don't feel it is the right thing for you, then don't do it. You can succeed without it.

Take care.

llg

LeahJet, ASN, RN · Jan 24, 2006

I am so sorry about your Dad.....my heart goes out to you.

As far as the internship, I don't think it will affect your ability to get a job. An internship may get your foot in the door on a certain unit or speciality but the way things are, you will be able to get a job and then maybe work toward your preferred area with time and experience.

Take the summer off. Do something challenging yet enjoyable. When I was going through some difficult times in my life a few years back, I just did something off the wall. I jumped on a plane and flew to Australia by myself. Yes, I did know people there, but the experience was exhilarating and liberating.

Whatever you decide to do, I wish you luck and happiness!

purplemania, BSN, RN · Jan 24, 2006

If you even THINK you need time off you probably do. However, an externship could be just 1-2 days a week, or maybe on the weekends. That might be a good compromise.