Extern not what its cracked up to be...

smilin_gp · Jun 21, 2006

How long have you been working there? I started as an extern at the hospital where I am now a nurse. I started out in more of an aide role with the vital signs, accuchecks, etc. Once the nurses began to know and trust me, most started delegating tons of new things. I know that you are saying they haven't started doing this yet, but maybe it just takes some time. I think a lot of it may be a trust thing, as they still have to delegate to you under their own licenses.

LanaBanana · Jun 21, 2006

I know at one of our local hospitals they hire nursing students as a nurse tech, which is an aid with additional duties. Maybe you could talk to a supervisor on a floor where you would like to work and see about transferring, or talk to the super on your floor and ask if there could be more teaching involved?

mom2michael, MSN, RN, NP · Jun 21, 2006

My 1st "student" position I was allowed to do nothing more than a tech but insert straight caths and Foley's. I was treated like dirt because I was a student (by the RN's and espeically by other techs on the floor). It was miserable. My next "student" position was pumped up by HR and the Floor Manager to be this fab. experience full of opportunities to work with nurses 1:1 doing patient care. Yup, you guessed it. I got to work all right with the patients, doing patient care WITHOUT the help of any nurse and never did I get to work 1:1 with any nurse. Both units were toxic to begin with, so I didn't stick it out to see if it changed...I just moved on.

I work as a tech in the ER. I know my duties, I know what I'm qualified to do. The entire staff knows I'm in NS and they go out of their way to show me things and help me learn things. It has hands down beat any so called student position out there.

I hope you find your right "fit" during NS because I do know how frustrating it is.

Good luck!!!

Sheri257 · Jun 21, 2006

Unfortunately, this is not unusual. This is why people need to shop around and, also, ask around when doing externships. Some hospitals will call the job "extern" but it is nothing more than an aide position. Others will give you extern days but expect additional aide days in return.

I quit my first "externship" because of this and found another hospital where all I do is nursing duties, not aide work. They are out there, you just have to find them.

:typing

BeccaznRN, RN · Jun 21, 2006

I agree that it's important for a student nurse to shop around and to definitely talk to people (whether that be HR, nurse manager, or employees on the floor) regarding the position.

I worked as a student nurse tech at a large teaching hospital and was allowed to do almost everything as long as I was "checked off" by a nurse and the hospital had documentation on file that I had learned the skills, either through training at the hospital or through my school. I inserted and D/C'ed foleys, inserted and D/C'ed IV's, venipuncture, changed dressings, the whole bit (only thing I couldn't do was an NG). I was way busy but I learned more there than I ever did in clinical. :nuke:

sassyRN73, RN · Jun 22, 2006

Howdy-

I too was set to do an internship this year at the hospital where I worked - Not only was the pay appalling ($4.00/hr less!!!) but we had several family issues to be worked out so I decided against it. Boy am I glad - I work as a unit extender and all of the nurses on the two units I work on have been great with helping me with skills and including me in discussions. Our education department also will let me shadow in several other departments as long as I don't get paid (OR, L&D etc) Sometimes, working in a unit in a aide/secretary capacity is great experience and if you pay attention you will get alot of info out of your work experience.

Good luck in your future endeavors!!!

Mariann:lol2:

rpbear · Jun 22, 2006

That is too bad that you are not getting the experience that you want. My unit does pair up the externs with an RN it might not be the same RN each day though. They are basically the shadow, they have a list of skills they are alowed to do, it is up to the RN what they will let the extern do though. I work L&D so there isn't much that the externs could do without an RN anyway.

Good luck, try to make the best of it.

RN/BSN to beee · Jun 22, 2006

Thanks to everyone for responding!!! Ive only been there for a few months.... but I guess I was getting frustrated bc alot of my gfs who just started are doing more than me....You guys are right I just have to stick it out and get to know the nurses....I actually had a group of student nurses the other day so that helped to lighten the load and I got to do a few more things!!:monkeydance: I dont mind working for it....I just dont want to have a bad expereince the last yr that I can learn as much as possible.....thanks again.....i love this site...i wil keep you posted on what comes of it!!

tookewlandy · Jun 22, 2006

Do you have to work as a extern when you are in Nursing school???

Sheri257 · Jun 22, 2006

Do you have to work as a extern when you are in Nursing school???

Not in my program. It's purely optional. But, if you can find the right externship, it gives you a lot more experience than just school clinicals.

:typing