Do I have to do Summer Externships?

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Hey! I just finished up my junior year and next spring semester going into OB, pediatrics, Mental Health clinicals. I graduate next December 2017. Do I HAVE to do something nursing related this summer?

I want to travel this summer or get my yoga teaching certificate. There are student externship opportunities at nearby hospitals which offer positions in ICU and OB and many other units. I want to work in the ICU as soon as possible when I gradate, but I want to spend my last free summer having fun. I also don't want to mess up my chances of getting a good job when I gradate. ADVICE?!

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What's the employment outlook where you live? You have to know that to know your answer. If new grads can't find a job for several months or even a year, you know you had better do anything possible to get an edge. If new grads in your area can find a job without much difficulty, then maybe you don't need the externship. Only you know what the market is like in your region.

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Specializes in ED.

I don't think you HAVE TO do anything. It is always your choice. I don't think that the majority of students end up doing summer externships. I just do not believe there is enough availability of externships nation wide for that to be possible.

I also do not think that having a summer externship is required in order to land a first job in a high demand specialty depending on your background and experience.

However, I do think that participating in these summer opportunities looks really good on a resume and can help you to stand out when applying for a first nursing job. It shows that you are driven to participate in intentional learning outside of the classroom and that you want to improve your nursing practice.

To sum it up I think that summer externships can help make you stand out as a new nurse, however, not participating will not have a negative effect.

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