Internships

[Jay2daq]

I am applying for nurse internship...im a junior in nursing school. with it being so competative, i feel i wont get in. Currently, im working as a CNA in the hospital im applying to (im also applying to a few others, but this is the one that would be my first pick).

...Okay so, i've been working there for about a year and a half. I've had a good record with my manager, i'm a good worker, and people like working with me! So i feel im pretty good in that area.

I also work in a dementia unit at a nursing home. I became a dementia specialist from the alzhiemers association in 2008.

I have done volunteer work for a therapy program for handi-capped children and adults. I've worked with therapy programs for at risk youth, abused and battered women/children, cancer survivors and academically challanged. This past summer i've volunteered for special olympics 1 week summer day camp...(they come spend a day with us doing abunch of games/activites and events all over the community). it was great fun!

anyway, so there is more on my resume than that...obviously.! but thats basically the jist of it.

What are my chances??? better if i work at this hospital and im in good standings already??? my manager is on the hiring committee for interns, i think she likes me anyway! never had a problem with me.

and most importantly....if anyone has ANY suggestions in anything i could do to really help my resume stand out?? I dont have the best GPA, compared to everyone else applying. im worried they are going to really look at that and not give me a chance. What are some other things i can do, that they might look for?? or like??

[SummerGarden, BSN, MSN, RN]

the best thing to do is to make sure your manager knows you want the internship. i had a friend with an impressive cna resume too who almost lost out on becoming an extern because she never even bothered to tell her manager she was in nursing school!!! after gentle prodding from me, she told them and requested to be considered for one of their floor's externships. she was immediately considered for the position (in fact guaranteed it) and went through the application process without having to worry about if she was going to get the job.

[classicdame, MSN, EdD]

If I understand you correctly, you are applying in the same hospital where you work and where people know you. I think your chances would be good to get a placement as nurse extern. Grades are important, but the hospital may not inquire about grades. I say go for it! If asked, be sure to talk about your knowledge of the culture and policies/procedures already which means your time can be focused on learning about nursing. Also, you know the chain of command (even knowing there is one is a plus in my book). You know the patient population and have an understanding of how to meet their needs and those of the patient's family & friends (think customer service). Good luck

[Jay2daq]

Yea, im applying at the same place i work. i really like it there....i work in cardiology. So i am aware of temeletry, i can read some EKG's...it really isnt my job to do it but after a while you kind of just teach yourself and learn...I know my manager knows im in nursing school because shes talked to me about a nusre tech position before. However; the hospital cut nurse tech positions so sadly i did not get it. I'll run it by her and just tell her i'm interested in doing it in that unit (although i really dont care what unit at this point)...

Hopefully having a job there already kind of gets me in the "in" besides....we recently went to a new EMR about 1 year ago and it took everyone a long long time to figure out....i've been doing it for a year, so they really wouldnt have to spend alot of time training me for it....it will work to their advantage!

[CABG patch kid, BSN, RN]

I think it would definitely be to their advantage! Especially after you graduate, I think you're almost guaranteed to get an RN position, unless there is a hiring freeze going on, or absolutely NO positions available. I'd almost be inclined to think a good manager would press upper management a bit to see if there was an opening for you, if she really wanted to keep you on as an RN. I know you're interested in the extern position now but obviously you'll be an RN soon enough and you'll be thinking about that. Do you know how senority works in your hospital? There's a chance that you may have enough senority as a CNA to be favored for a future position, over someone from the "outside", at least that's how it works at my hospital; current employees are considered first before outside hires for postions they are qualified for.

Anyway, sounds like you have a great resume and a solid start! Good luck to you!!

[rbyrdrn]

Who puts their GPA on a resume? I agree with MBARN08, inform your director, HR, and whoever else wants to know. And thank them, thank them for their time, consideration, and for any additional information they may have given you. Smile and nod, a lot.