Nurse Apprenticeship counts as experience?

[Chelsea.K]

Hi everyone!

I am currently a Nurse Apprentice at a Children's Hospital and have been so since August of 2016. I will be graduating in June and will be relocating to the Los Angeles area.

On a lot of the postings online, I see requirements for 1 year of experience or the need to enter a residency program. CHLA is a hospital I am very interested in but from what I read online, they have a 22 week residency with pay under $25/hr.

I am wondering if my paid apprenticeship will count as nursing experience in instances such as this. I am not against a residency program at all but it would certainly be hard for me too afford for 22 weeks while being new to the city.

[HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD]

I'm not familiar with the role of Nurse Apprentice. Are you working as an unlicensed tech? You need to provide more information please, as this is not a commonly used job title.

[llg, PhD, RN]

I also don't know exactly what you mean by a "nurse apprentice," but as you have not graduated from school job ... I am betting that it is some kind of enhance Nursing Assistant position. You'll have to ask CHLA about their policies as to what counts as experience, but I am guessing that it probably will not count. Roles designed for students usually don't count the same as being an actual RN. But you won't know for sure until you ask the hospital.

[Chelsea.K]

Sorry about that, let me expand. The hospital I work at employs you while you are in school to practice clinical skills under the supervision of the charge nurse and other staff nurses. I essentially get 1 patient to focus on during my 12 hour shift. I can give daily meds (except for some) and assist with any procedures there may be.

[meanmaryjean, DNP, RN]

I seriously doubt this would count as experience. A 22-week residency is a blessing, take it of you can get it. Live frugally on that $25/ hour. I doubt the pay goes up too terribly much afterwards.