Nursing Student PICU Externship Advice Please!

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Hi everyone!

I'm a nursing student who is about to finish my first semester of nursing school and was just offered an externship in a PICU and I'm SO excited to start in June after receiving my CNA license. It's a full-time externship during the summer and winter breaks, but during school, it's part time, which is great but I want to work as much as possible even when I'm in school. Does anyone have any advice about working in a PICU (for someone with no medical experience) or tips for juggling school and work? How many hours would you suggest working while in school? Really, any advice would be great and very much appreciated!! :)

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Specializes in TICU.

Congratulations! Working as a aid is not hard at all. You'll be completing very basic tasks like temps and maybe some finger sticks. Where I'm from the nurses are always with you when give baths. (Most likely they will have family there who will want to help things like that) Just remember to always do a great job and network so you will have a job waiting for you when you graduate!

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Specializes in TICU.

Also during the semester don't try to work too much. Keep school/studying a priority! ;)

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I will definitely keep that all in mind! And I'm hoping that I can still keep school and my grades a priority but get in about 20 hours of work a week, maybe less if there's an exam coming up, but thankfully, the hospital is very flexible about hours. Thank you so much for your advice!

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