First off, I'm posting this under the general nursing discussion because I need advice from nurses, preferably ones familiar with the hiring process--not other students. If it's considered incorrect, feel free to move it.
I reached out to a professor to see about internships. What I got in return was far more than I expected--she wants me not only to assist her with teaching a nursing skills class (I'm in a BSN program in the Midwest, for reference), but she wants me to be the leader of a group of other student mentors. This is an unpaid position and I will be teaching about 8 hours a week in addition to my full time classes--not including grading or prepping for class. She also wants me to put together a panel discussion of top nursing students from my school and she wants me to be the host.
My tears are (mostly) not ones of joy; I am a 22-year-old single mom to a 3-year-old little boy and I'm just so afraid of spending time away from him. I feel scared and overwhelmed. My question:
Will this help me get a better job? I want to work in public health or clinics. Possibly long-term care.
My first priority is my son. Period. More than experience or pay, I want good hours. Don't lecture me on that.
I'm incredibly honored by my professor's decision to put me in charge of other people when it's only going to be my third semester in the five-semester program. She basically made it sound like she thinks I'm meant--MADE--to teach other people. Maybe she's right? Maybe this is a door that is supposed to be opening right now...? I don't know, but I want other people's opinions on whether this is something I should invest so much time in based on my goal to find a day job, be it a clinic, school, or otherwise.
Could you find a way to benefit from it, even if you're not getting paid? Does the college offer "independent study" courses where this professor could be your mentor? You could get college credit for the work - ideally free, if the professor has any pull - and be able to work closely with a faculty member (valuable access to knowledge as well as developing a professional reference). It would only be beneficial if you can use the credit toward your degree, but I think getting some experience facilitating education programs could be a valuable boost to your resume, especially as a new BSN grad. It would help set you apart from other new grads. If time is truly an issue then obviously turn it down, but if the professor really does see a potential talent and is genuinely interested in developing it, I'd at least look into your options for getting it on your transcript.
I have no doubt that you are nothing short of an amazing student, but I think flattery is getting the best of the situation. This is almost predatory in nature. Someone wants to show you that your valuable and talented? Then they should compensate you! End of story.
Nope, nope, nope. The experience will only help you uf you're interested in teaching/academia, or need a reference once you graduate. The only way I would consider it is if it came with tuition remission.
Honestly, the position would be hard to fill. She's dumping it on you...
I think some of you are misguided on what an internship is, and what might be included in an internship. I have a friend who just completed her MSW. She spent an entire year with an internship position, working more than 20+ hours a week for free and on top of her full time studies. So how is that internship any different than the one that was offered to you? It isn't, and her position was not considered a part time job like responses here are implying.
As for your son, yes he will only be young once; but you also need to consider what future holds for both of you. I would really do some soul searching and define what nursing you want to do. If teaching is it, this opportunity should be taken. If you want to floor nurse in a nursing home, I would respectfully decline this offer. Only you can decide what is best for yourself. If you decline, make sure you do it in a professional manner and thank your professor for this opportunity. Your professor might be seeing something in you that you do not see in yourself. It doesn't come off as dumping to me, but more of a a challenge.
I would say "Thank you, I'm flattered you thought of me but with my childcare and school responsibilities I am not able to accept the offer at this time." Honor or not, I agree w/some other posters..it sounds like she is looking to pass off some of her work and I personally don't see how it would help you land a job. I have never once been asked if I helped a Professor or volunteered my time while I was in nursing school. I would decline in a heartbeat.
I would say "Thank you, I'm flattered you thought of me but with my childcare and school responsibilities I am not able to accept the offer at this time." Honor or not, I agree w/some other posters..it sounds like she is looking to pass off some of her work and I personally don't see how it would help you land a job. I have never once been asked if I helped a Professor or volunteered my time while I was in nursing school. I would decline in a heartbeat.
I see a lot of posters (not just this thread) saying "I've never been asked about this". Internships, transcripts, volunteer work. Etc. Things like this are unusual. You're not going to be asked - you need to bring it up on a resume, cover letter, etc. If you don't mention your accomplishments, you're going to be viewed as just another new grad with nothing special to offer. If the interviewer doesn't care, they'll just ignore it - but I think there could be a time when you say the right thing that sets you apart and everything will fall into place.
Specializes in Cardiology, Cardiothoracic Surgical.
Where's the money?? I don't, and you shouldn't, work for free. You have school and a kid to worry about; the very least this professor could do is offer some monetary compensation for your time.
I think this would only help you if you were planning a career in academia. If you are hoping to end up in public health, clinics or long-term care, you should seek out internships in those areas. It also does sound like A LOT of work on top of your classes and being a single mom. Maybe you are a great student, but this amount of work sounds stressful and not necessarily helpful. At a minimum, it won't give you the hands-on patient experience an internship in the other areas would give.
Turn it down and be prepared for her to hold it against you. People tend to forget that students need something from their professors, not the other way around. I hope it works out well for you.
You should be paid for being in a "teaching/assisting" position, it only benefits her as it stands now. YOU are losing valuable time with your son and studies.
True! I was a teaching assistant for three semesters, I taught labs for Microbiology and Human Anatomy, held weekly office hours to help students, made exam questions, proctored and corrected exams and was in charge of a weekly review session.
I put in quite a bit of time and effort into making sure I was presenting the material and teaching effectively. But heres the big thing....... I earned something from it.
I was either paid or I received college credits for the class. (the were upper division electives that I needed towards my degree). I was not asked or expected to do this without any benefit. I was also given a wonderful and detailed letter of reference when I went job hunting.. and was told I could have one any time I needed it. This professor is well known in my community for being tough and exacting, his reference can carry a lot of weight.. (and I believed played a part of my getting into a tough nursing program with my first application) so for that alone it was worth it. I'd also like to teach someday, so this was good experience.
I would not have TA's for just any class... I took a lot into consideration, if the benefits do not outweigh the demand, I would turn it down. I would explain that being a single mom and internship you do needs to either be paid or lead to a paid position.
I think some of you are misguided on what an internship is, and what might be included in an internship. I have a friend who just completed her MSW. She spent an entire year with an internship position, working more than 20+ hours a week for free and on top of her full time studies. So how is that internship any different than the one that was offered to you? It isn't, and her position was not considered a part time job like responses here are implying.
and she most likely fought for that internship against other applicants. OP here was asked. which probably meant the position was neither officially sanctioned nor an internship in nature. in fact, it seems quite predatory in nature. Further, your friend's internship for her MSW worked with her professional goals - OP doesn't intend to teach (at least not how I read it). This position offered nothing to further her professional career or goals.
And I think I speak for all when I say we know what an internship is...and what is isn't. And this ain't it.
and she most likely fought for that internship against other applicants. OP here was asked. which probably meant the position was neither officially sanctioned nor an internship in nature. in fact, it seems quite predatory in nature. Further, your friend's internship for her MSW worked with her professional goals - OP doesn't intend to teach (at least not how I read it). This position offered nothing to further her professional career or goals.
And I think I speak for all when I say we know what an internship is...and what is isn't. And this ain't it.
She indicated she asked about internships, which then she was offered this. Stop playing semantics here. This more than qualifies as an internship.
logank622
88 Posts
Could you find a way to benefit from it, even if you're not getting paid? Does the college offer "independent study" courses where this professor could be your mentor? You could get college credit for the work - ideally free, if the professor has any pull - and be able to work closely with a faculty member (valuable access to knowledge as well as developing a professional reference). It would only be beneficial if you can use the credit toward your degree, but I think getting some experience facilitating education programs could be a valuable boost to your resume, especially as a new BSN grad. It would help set you apart from other new grads. If time is truly an issue then obviously turn it down, but if the professor really does see a potential talent and is genuinely interested in developing it, I'd at least look into your options for getting it on your transcript.