Finishing Nursing School Quickly vs Summer Externship

[pure_serenity]

Hi. I recently applied to an Accelerated BSN nursing program and a traditional BSN program. Although i would be thrilled to get into either, i have to start preparing for one because the preqs I need to finish for each program is different. Thus is the additional semester of course work that is required by the traditional track worth more (for the lack of a better work) then the time I could spend in the summer getting hands on experience through an externships? Also, since so many hospital in Atlanta have a training program for new grads, would it be better to finish quickly or would the experience of the externships provide a edge of this already competitive market?

Any insight from anyone would be great

[elizanne]

I was speaking with one of the nursing recruiters from Shepherd at a career fair a couple of weeks ago, and I asked him a similar question about the benefit of an externship. I'm in an accelerated program already, and I was worried that not having an externship would be a setback when I was compared to other new grads with externships. He basically said that if you spend your summer doing something (so, taking classes OR an externship), that's what they want to see in their new grad applicants. The red flag is when a student doesn't take classes or complete an externship.

Of course, I still think that performing well in an externship or practicum in the hospital/unit you want to work in would give you a competitive edge because the people doing the hiring already know you. Maybe it would a be a good compromise to do the accelerated program and shoot for your senior practicum in an area you would like to work in upon graduation?

Anyone with other information, please help! My thinking is based on what that one recruiter said and what seems to be happening in my area, but it could be very different. Good luck!