Externships

Just treat it like any other job application. Just make it clear in the cover letter you're still in the program. I did an externship in 2007. The hospital was Good Samaritan in Downers Grove, IL. The students busted their asses for the hospital working as pretty much nurse aides, running like mad around the unit answering call lights. At the end of the externship very few people got job offers. My classmates got float nurse offers after graduation, which was disappointing. You really need a permanent assignment to a floor that will be your home-this is critically important to a new grad nurse. Float nurses at my hospital are highly experienced and self-confident as they should be, because if you float to various units acting like you don't know what you are doing, this won't end well.

I thought that employer was disappointing; I never spoke to them again; I had another job at the time that was reasonable and familiar to me, so I stayed there.

Before you do anything for the employer, ask what the odds of getting a job offer are, so you have realistic expectations...