Nurse Extern Vs. Tech

llg, PhD, RN · Jun 16, 2011

You have to look at the specifics of each opportunity to make that decision. The titles of those positions and their job descriptions are not written in stone. Each hospital designs its own opportunities and makes its own job descriptions, etc.

So ... at one hospital, the nurse tech position might be fantastic ... while at another hospital, the nurse tech position stinks. At some hospitals, nurse extern positions are just another name for a nursing assistant position that nursing students are allowed to take without having an actual CNA certificate. At other hospital, nurse externs programs are well-designed, highly structured programs that offer students special learning opportunities that are not available to nurse techs, nursing assistants, etc.

So ... you have to look at the specifics of each program to decide which one is best for you. Look at the role responsibilities of each opportunity, the amount of education you will get as part of the job, the scheduling, etc. of each program. Then you can begin to compare the specific opportunities available in your area.

NurseB_, BSN, RN · Jun 16, 2011

Ok that makes sense. Thanks for your input. :)

classicdame, MSN, EdD · Jun 17, 2011

In Texas the names are synonymous. Each means the individual is unlicensed assistive personnel. Considering you will not have the legal scope of practice till you are licensed, I would recommend you pursue the job that has the best hours relating to your school schedule. Notice I did not mention pay. Even the higher paying job would be a pain if your job obligations interfere with school. Keep your eye on your goal!

33762FL · Jun 17, 2011

Being an extern is far more preferable to being a tech. You'll get a wider scope of practice than a tech, and it's prestigious and competitive to be selected for an externship. Honestly, even if the extern and tech job do turn out to have similar responsibilities, look at it this way:

Extern = few spots available, you were selected out of thousands of student nurse applicants for a selective externship program

Tech = minimum wage job that requires only a GED or high school diploma.

So it's far better to have "extern" on your resume.

Spikey9001, BSN, RN · Jun 17, 2011

Being an extern is far more preferable to being a tech. You'll get a wider scope of practice than a tech, and it's prestigious and competitive to be selected for an externship. Honestly, even if the extern and tech job do turn out to have similar responsibilities, look at it this way:
Extern = few spots available, you were selected out of thousands of student nurse applicants for a selective externship program
Tech = minimum wage job that requires only a GED or high school diploma.
So it's far better to have "extern" on your resume.

Where I'm from the difference between a tech/aide and extern is literally less than 75 cents (externs at this hospital start around $12.50 an hour). Also, although the externship is highly competitive, it's still only six weeks and you may be let go. But most students try and stay retained to work as an aide or something like that so they can be hired onto the unit as RNs.

Also, I just got a job as an aide at a hospital and on the application, they specifically state that they prefer nursing students who have completed at least a semester of an RN program.

But this brings me to a dilemma... I also applied for the externship at this SAME hospital, got an interview (way back in February) but didn't get it... BUT I did get a full time job as an aide on a surgical step down unit... which makes me question the same thing as the OP.

JOJOba · Jun 18, 2011

Hello,
I would like to get people's options on which one (Nurse extern or tech) would be the best for me to presue during my last year of nursing school. I would really like to get some additional experience in L&D and also getting paid some extra money would be nice too. Also what's the main difference between the two and which one would provide me with more opportunities to learn?
Thanks!!

In my school in Baltimore, nurse externs and techs are paid roughly the same. However, the learning opportunity is different imo. Nurse externs have preceptors on their respective floors; 1:1. Obviously this experience can vary, depending on factors such as the willingness of the preceptor to teach and the policies of the hospital regarding the scope of practice for externs. The latter also applies to techs.