Externship

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Specializes in ER, ICU, Medsurg.

Well, Monday I went and applied for an externship through "big" hospital here. I am in a bridge program so I will graduate with my PN in May and my RN next May. I debated back and forth whether to apply for LPN positions for the summer or this externship. I decided to go for the externship hoping that it would give me a leg up for next year's RN program. Well.......I got the job!!!!! woo hoooo! I'm so excited and scared at the same time. The thought of actually getting paid to do something I've gone to school for 2 years to do AND learn more at the same time is just so exciting. Just wanted to share my news with someone! Any advice from anyone? I'm not even exactly sure what I'll be doing. There were 4 of us hired for this satellite hospital and we are able to bounce around from Med-Surg, Emergency, surgery and Psych. Any ideas of what to expect?

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Specializes in Recovery Room.

I did an externship about half-way through my ABSN program and it was an invaluable experience. Although I did not necessarily like the specialty I had chosen to do my externship in, I got to learn more about what its like to carry a full patient load and to manage my time appropriately (of course under an RN's supervision). If nothing else, it also taught me where I don't want to work after I graduate. Since you get to "bounce around" to different areas, this sounds like a pretty cool externship! Good Luck!

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Specializes in OR.

Im jealous! I so wish I could have gotten in on a summer program like that, especially something that bounces you around. It gives you an idea of what you want and DON'T want to do.

I got a job as a nurse extern at Vanderbilt, and basically I'm just one of their care partners (basically a tech, but I get paid a little more). I mean its nice having something at least in the field I'm going to be doing, and I got more practice with basic procedures like blood drawing and catheters.

Grats on your externship! It's also a GREAT way to get to know managers on different units and get a foot in the door somewhere :p

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