Should I take a semester off and do an externship?

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HI. I'm in my third semester for an RN program and I'm wondering if it would be wise to postpone my last semester and do an externship during that free time....

I really want to have an externship because I don't see myself being confident enough with my skills to jump into a job, and I also know an externship would raise the likelihood of even getting a job....

Also, a break before the last and most stressful semester would be very welcome...

My main concern is: Would an externship accept me in this situation? Or do they have some strict rules that they only take you right between semesters with no break? Also, my grades are B's so I dont know if that would make it hard for me to get an externship...

I guess it depends on the externship, but if anyone has specific knowledge of externships or general advice I'd really appreciate it...

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Most externships require you to be in school full-time WHILE you work as an extern.

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I have only heard of externships WHILE you are in nursing school. Also what is the difference if you go into an externship with poor skills and going into a nursing job with poor skills? Either way you are still responsible for your actions and will have to improve your skills.

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Specializes in OB/NICU.

I'm in an externship and it requires you being in your last year of RN school with a contract to work for them for 1 yr past graduation. They also pay for my school, pay while I work, pay for my books, and give me a monthly allowance for gas. It's totally worth it, but I'm sure you'll have to be active in school!

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Specializes in Cath Lab & Interventional Radiology.

I wouldn't postpone your LAST semester of nursing school for an externship. Knowledge wise it is easiest to keep going in nursing school consecutively without a break. Focus on the NCLEX, because that is based on knowledge verses performance on skills. When you are hired on at a job, they will have a training program to ensure you are up to par on your skills.

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.
I'm in an externship and it requires you being in your last year of RN school with a contract to work for them for 1 yr past graduation. They also pay for my school, pay while I work, pay for my books, and give me a monthly allowance for gas. It's totally worth it, but I'm sure you'll have to be active in school!

This is extraordinary and rare!!!!!!!!! Is this a hospital?

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Specializes in Hospital Education Coordinator.

I would not let anything interfere with your primary goal - get that license! No one feels confident. Why would you since you have not had enough real experience? If you are hired here as new grad (not extern) you are given your last year's tuition as a bonus. If you work here while attending school you can get part of that tuition while you are in school, then more after graduation. So NOT being in school is a drawback financially.

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Thanks for the feedback; I'm leaning more towards just finishing up school.

i would beg to differ concerning the comment about losing knowledge when you take a break. I took a semester off before this one and i studied on my own a little, and now i feel like i have more info in my long-term (rather than short-term) memory. But i'm sure that can differ from individual to individual.

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Specializes in OB/NICU.

This is extraordinary and rare!!!!!!!!! Is this a hospital?

Yes, this is a hospital :-) I feel very blessed! They only took 5 of us this year.

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