Decisions! Clinical Externship vs. retaking Anatomy!

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Hi

I have a big decision to make!

I have an interview for a clinical externship on a general medicine floor coming up...if I end up getting it I will make over 11 thousand dollars this summer being an extern and over 640 hours of extern experience

I also signed up to retake anatomy and physiology class this summer because I didn't do great the first time around

Now if I get the clinical externship, it will conflict with my anatomy class because they are 12 hr shifts and I wouldn't be able to attend the classes

So I would have to choose between the awesome experience of externship and making alot of money or retaking this class

What would y'all suggest that I do?!

Thanks

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Specializes in ICU/ER.

when you say "didnt do that great" do you mean didnt pass? Do you have to take A&P again to get into the nursing program? If so, then you must take it, as if the A&P is going to hold you back from graduating on time, in the long run your going to be out more than 11k.

If you did OK, passed the class just didnt totally get it, then I would work, you will learn alot on a med surge floor and if your schools requires an additional A&P 2 you may find that it is all clicking for you now.

Best of luck---I know working and the money is tempting, but you must look at your schooling as a job, in the long run you will make more by finishing school and passing your boards. I know easy for me to say sitting here in front of my computer.

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At my school its a 4 year program and we take anatomy in year 1 along with all our other nursing classes

I passed the class but barely. We needed a 50% to pass anatomy and I got a 57% in the class. In Canada our passing grades aren't as high as the US, but I ended up passing the class and continuing on. Didn't do great though!

I'm in my year 3 out of 4 of nursing school. The only solution I could think of would be to get someone I know taking the class to tape record the lectures and give them to me (the prof for the class already said tape recording her lectures is ok). It's purely lectures - no lab at all (my NS doesn't do lab classes for anatomy its only 3 hr lectures)

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Specializes in ICU/ER.

If you already passed the class and your current grade wont hold you back from graduating, I would not take it again. 1) that is going to cost money and 2)you will learn more from working. I really think nursing is a hand on -on the job training career.

If you only have a year left before graduation, then I would work this summer, the contacts you make and the exp you will gain from working on a med surge floor will benefit you more than a year one anatomy class.

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Yea that's what I was thinking....the over 600 hrs of experience are great...hoping that I get the job! My interview is next week...so nervous!

Now, I have a 1 day prior commitment in july that I wouldnt be able to work...do you think I should let the interviewer know this in the actual interview....or should I tell them after I get officially hired, or should I just call in sick on that one day?

I'm worried that If i tell them that I couldn't work for that one day (out of 4 months lol) then they will not hire me bc of it

ahhhh

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plus the anatomy class is 900$ to retake it

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Specializes in ICU/ER.
Yea that's what I was thinking....the over 600 hrs of experience are great...hoping that I get the job! My interview is next week...so nervous!

Now, I have a 1 day prior commitment in july that I wouldnt be able to work...do you think I should let the interviewer know this in the actual interview....or should I tell them after I get officially hired, or should I just call in sick on that one day?

I'm worried that If i tell them that I couldn't work for that one day (out of 4 months lol) then they will not hire me bc of it

ahhhh

You will never go wrong with the truth--dont have that be the 1st thing you say of course. But once you can tell the interview is going well and it looks like your going to get the job and they ask if you have any questions, have one of your questions be " I do have a wedding to attend ( or what ever it is ) on this date XYZ , but besides that date I am open and am looking forward to joining your team.

Ya I agree skip the anatomy. 900 bucks is alot of money for something you have already taken and passed. You will learn way more working than attending a 3 hour lecture each week on anatomy.

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Do the externship - you will gain so much experience from it. You can always review your anatomy book on your days off, just review one system at a time. Congrats on the externship, it sounds great!

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As stated above, do the externship, but remember this: the nursing classes build on each other. Knowing that you did not do well in A&P gives you the opportunity to study it over again. You will need mastery of the info.

I dunno if you saw "Good Will Hunting". In it Matt Damon's character (a poor fellow from South Boston/blue collar area) says to a frat boy "If you had any sense you'd save a 1/4 million in tuition and get your education at the library for 50 cents in late charges." Study. You can learn it without paying tuition. If you are nervous about that, ask at school for a tutor over the summer. Cheaper, and more convenient, too.

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Specializes in Everytype of med-surg.

I would take the externship. To be honest, I barely passed my A+P class and I don't remember it holding me back. I studied a ton for it, it just wasn't my best subject. I did fine in my other classes. If you tried your best, then perhaps taking it again may not even help.

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Specializes in LTC.

I would take the externship. You've taken anatomy, you've passed, and you're going to graduate whether or not you take it again. You'll learn much more working in health care.

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