Student Nurse Externship - What is it?

Published

Specializes in Medical-Oncology.

I've heard about an externship for nursing students who are about to enter their senior year. Who has experience with this? Where are some good programs? What does the work entail, and does it usually pay? Do they offer housing for the few months you are there, and how long do the programs run anyway? What are the qualifications?

These sound like great opportunities to get some hands-on experience. How can I make myself an attractive candidate while in school?

Thanks! ~Ashley

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Hello-- I had the opportunity to do a student nurse externship at a local medical center--where by the way I am now employed as a staff nurse on a med surg floor-- same floor that I did my externship on.

I HIGHLY recommend taking advantage of this type of program.

We were paid the same as the nursing assistants are paid, but different facilities have differing pay scales for student nurse internships. I understand that our local VA hospital was offering substantially more, but my plan was to be where I am.

This experience gives you an opportunity to "play" nurse under an RN preceptor. You learn time management, assessment skills, organization of data, lots of opportunity to practice skills (foleys, NG tubes, trachs, etc)

I am sure each facility has its own program.

Look into a medical center and type of nursing floor that you think you would be interested in. Then apply (early) because the openings usually are limited. They will ask for letters of recommendation from your clinical teachers.

Good luck

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in med/surg, telemetry, IV therapy, mgmt.

here are a couple of links for you to check out about internships. you can find specific information about nursing internships at internship.com.

http://www.collegeboard.com/student/plan/high-school/8382.html - finding internship programs

http://www.internship.com/

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in NICU, High-Risk L&D, IBCLC.

I am currently finishing up a 6-week externship with UCLA. The qualification for this program was being a senior in a BSN program - to apply I had to submit a resume, cover letter, application, college transcripts, and two references. The "work" entails mostly tech duties but the students are paired with a nurse preceptor so you get to see a lot (even if you can't do a lot). The best thing about this program is the variety...for the six weeks (3 12-hour shifts per week) you choose two patient care areas to focus on and work two days a week there, three weeks for each area. The third day each week you can choose any other area in the hospital for an observation day. There is a lot of opportunity in this program to go to many different nursing areas - ICU's abound, L & D, OR, ER, peds, home health, nurse educators, nurse practictioners, and probably anything else you could imagine. We get paid almost $17 an hour, including shift differentials, and they offer apartments within walking distance of the hospital. The hospital picks up half the tab for the apartment and the student is responsible for the rest (about $800).

UCLA's program is fabulous if you are unsure of what area you want to work in or are just interested in seeing a bunch of different units/areas. You can't beat the pay, not to mention spending a summer in Los Angeles! However, if you are more interested in getting a lot of hands-on experience then you will be disappointed. The best way to make yourself an attractive candidate for this program is to get good grades, prepare a good resume, and start contacting the program director very early on, like in November. Applications are due mid-December.

Let me know if you have any other questions and best of luck to you!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Medical-Oncology.

Thanks y'all for the good info! Look forward to hearing from others!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I am doing one with the VA Valor Program. I am in a psych unit, but a fellow classmate is in the ICU and she is getting to do a ton. We are paid well, too.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in NICU Level III.

I'm doing one at St Luke's in Houston - we can do basic CNA stuff, but also help out the RNs and observe lots of fun stuff.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Medical-Oncology.
I am doing one with the VA Valor Program. I am in a psych unit, but a fellow classmate is in the ICU and she is getting to do a ton. We are paid well, too.

Sounds like a good program. Where are you located? Is that your home base, or are you there for the summer? Do you have to commit to working with the VA during the next school year, and/or after graduation? Does it seem like the employees enjoy working for the gov't and at the VA?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

HI can you tell me more about the UCLA program? I applied but I still haven't heard back yet...do you know when you got news that you were accepted? Do you get an e-mail? I'm just really excited and impatient because I really want to be accepted into this program!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ER.

Could you give me advice on the interview process for the VALOR program?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

@ Journeyman

There interview process for the Valor Program entails a group interview then an individual interview right after. I cant remember the exact questions they asked but I do remember they were very general questions such as: Tell me about yourself, and why the VA. I don't remember the questions being too tough. Great program overall!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

i recently got accepted into a nursing program and iwas wondering if i am able to apply for interships. if i am not able to apply for interships at this time please info. me when i can do so

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion