Nurse Extern questions

[han630]

Hi,

I was wandering in general, what is the job description for a nurse extern? I've several job postings but they are very vague.

Also, if you get hired as a nurse extern, can you use your time working as "experience" when applying for RN positions after graduating? I was looking up job postings for RNs in my area because I was curious if the 2 large hospitals in my area were hiring (I live in a small town) and all the RN positions required or "desired" at least 6 months of experience and so I was wandering if I worked as an extern, I could use that as part of my experience.

Thank you for your replies!

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[llg, PhD, RN]

The job descriptions for externs vary greatly depending upon the particular facility. It some facilities, the externs function pretty much like a nursing assistant -- with few differences between the two roles in terms of their direct patient care responsibilities. At the other extreme are programs that are more educationally focused -- pairing an extern with a staff RN with the 2 of them joining forces to care for an assignment no bigger than the RN would handle herself. Such extern jobs are more like senior-year nursing school preceptorships.

There are many programs that fall "in between" the 2 extreme models described above. You have to look closely at an individual program to know where it fits on that continuum. So, be sure to ask lots of questions as you look and apply for an extern position.

As for "counting as experience," it counts as extern experience, but not RN experience. It's valuable experience and my very well help you land a job -- but it is not equal to RN experience. Just be sure to label it correctly in future job applications and on your resume. Make it clear and it can help you. Make it unclear, and it may look like you are exaggerating your experience and that can hurt you because it makes you look untrustworthy.