How many of you did an Externship?

Lurksalot, BSN, RN · Mar 15, 2006

I strongly recommend doing an externship if you can. I found it gave me real-world nursing experience, and saved me from a lot of heartache I would have gone through in my first position. If you can find a good externship program where they let you do RN duties, it will be worth its weight in gold, and you will feel that much more prepared and confident for the rest of your schooling. Honestely, I was re-considering nursing altogether until I did the externship, I think if I only had school experience to go by I may have decided it wasn't for me.

Also, if you do an externship, they may offer for you to stay on as a tech, and that way you keep your foot in the door if you like the facility. Good luck!

HHW2006 · Mar 16, 2006

Absolutely do an externship if you can. Think of it as an extended job interview. It really gives you a chance to shine without the pressures of being there for clinical!!!

stressgal, RN · Mar 16, 2006

On the other hand, I opted not to do an externship this past summer and have had no problems securing a job. I graduate in June and have an offer already. I think you just need to begin looking to see what is available. Externships can be great, if you get the right place and person. But they are not the only way to get your self placed. Good luck whatever you decide is best for you.

christvs, DNP, RN, NP · Mar 16, 2006

I worked as a PCA (patient care assistant) in a hospital during nursing school. It gave me valuable experience, confidence, money, a great addition to my resume, & I am now working as an RN in the same hospital on a med/surg unit I really like a lot. :)

AgentR · Mar 17, 2006

Do an externship if you have the chance. You will learn so much more than in nursing school. I think they are particularly helpful if you would like to go into a specialty area after school. You will have a big head start over other new grads.

krobi78527 · Mar 17, 2006

I highly recommend it. I did a summer externship in 2005. Employers LOVE to hire their externs. I would advise applying where you want to work. I graduate in May but interviewed and got a job offer from them in early January. Obviously it is not a requirement to get a job but I was able to get a position in L&D as a new grad which I am so very excited about and I believe the externship helped me in that respect.

suzanne4, RN · Mar 17, 2006

It also depends on where you are located, and the amount of new grad orientations that are actually available in that area. The hospital will usually pick someone that they are familiar with, if they have the choice.

Plus the experience that you receive, you cannot put a price on it.

I was in a Diploma program, and also worked as what we called a nurse tech back then and it was the best experience ever. Never, ever would have thought not to do it. It only increased my skills much quicker than someone starting out with me.

sacrdhazel · Mar 17, 2006

Hiya! I just got accepted in to an extern program and one of the contigincies is that you work for them after.. its a type of recruitment service for the hospital. They have the added benefit of paying your tuition as well. I know alot of programs in my area do that. I am in the NYC area. But I absolutely can not wait to do the extern program. Its paid as well!

Katydidit34 · Mar 18, 2006

Thanks so much for all of your replies and encouragement. It is really appreciated. What semester did you start an externship if you did one??

penny07 · Mar 22, 2006

I'm in my 2nd semester of 5 and started an externship this semester and will work there until graduation. I really like it (much better than clinicals) and am learning so much. What I can offer to this thread is, my nurse manager asks me nearly every shift when I'm going to graduate so she can hire me on already! Thats good to hear. Its not a guaranteed job but I know I have a definite leg up on outside candidates.

mom2michael, MSN, RN, NP · Mar 27, 2006

Right now I'm a tech in an ER which that experience has by leaps and bounds probably been the most benefical to me in school. I have learned so much there in the last year and in basic skills I have to say I'm way ahead of other students in my class because I practice basic skills for 24 hours a week. I've also got to see almost every injury and disease known to man kind walk through the door in the last year. It's helped me put it all together.

Now I will start my final 6 months of school with an externship in CCU, MICU and SICU in May. This position will differ because I'm going to be under an RN and able to perform RN duties with their assistance rather than just basic care.

It's my hope that both experiences help me become a more rounded nurse when I graduate.