Has anyone had any luck finding a nurse extern position for Summer?

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I have not had any luck so far. It seems like there are very few positions out there. I heard the VA Hospital decided to put a freeze on hiring any externs.

You can also try calling the Nurse Recruiters at the hospitals that you are interested in. Keep trying. I have applied for every Nurse Tech position at a particular hospital since the end of February and I hadn't heard anything, so I finally decided to find out whom I should call about it. FINALLY, I got in touch with the nurse recruiter and -long story short- she is calling me today, hopefully to set up an interview.

Wish me luck!

~Hoot~

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I got into the extern program at mclaren in flint but their deadline was in feb. Most hospitals have these programs. Check around you might have to go out of your area. Good luck.

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You can also try calling the Nurse Recruiters at the hospitals that you are interested in. Keep trying. I have applied for every Nurse Tech position at a particular hospital since the end of February and I hadn't heard anything, so I finally decided to find out whom I should call about it. FINALLY, I got in touch with the nurse recruiter and -long story short- she is calling me today, hopefully to set up an interview.

Wish me luck!

~Hoot~

How did you get in touch with the recruiter? I am not having luck with that, either...

I mean, I know who to call, but I find they don't answer and don't return calls.

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How did you get in touch with the recruiter? I am not having luck with that, either...

I mean, I know who to call, but I find they don't answer and don't return calls.

Let me PM you :)

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Hoot- could you PM me too? Thanks! :)

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Specializes in Step-down/ICU.

any updates? i'm having no luck either. i've been applying for months...

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It took months for me to get calls, then finally did in late may/early June. I start tomorrow! All of the hiring managers said it was extremely difficult to get in and that the positions are really scarce right now.

Have you tried changing the format of your resume? I also know that it really helps when you know an employee and put their name on your application where it asks if you were referred. I know it is really frustrating but you have to just hang in there and keep applying!

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Specializes in Tele, Med-Surg, MICU.

From a RN in the Detroit area...

Nurse extern positions are extremely scarce, it's not you. A lot of these positions will go to nursing students already working as Nurse Assistants / CNA's in the hospital.

This year, most hospitals have made cutbacks due to the recession. Staff have no raises, positions are cut, vacation time is cut. It's a bad time to be a nursing student.

And I think the employers are feeling they don't need to offer nurse extern positions to entice grads, because they are getting more applicants for open RN jobs.

My only suggestion is, every time you are in a clinical, ask the manager of that floor about available extern positions, or even GN positions.

Good luck. Hang in there. It will all work out eventually.

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