Successful without an Externship?

[maire]

Good morning all you happy people, I need some thoughts and opinions on this topic. How important do you think it is to do an externship while in nursing school? How do you feel about graduating without ever having worked in a hospital? This is a debate I've heard at school and thought I'd bring it here to see what you all thought.

*yawn* I'm so sleepy, little one is ill and I think I got 3 hours of sleep last night. Anyone have a pillow?

[EmeraldNYL, BSN, RN]

I did a one year accelerated BSN program, so I didn't have time to work, so no externship for me. I started in an ICU and am doing fine. I think an externship can only help you though, so if you have the time, it may really help you gain some valuable experience.

[maire, ASN, RN]

Thanks so much for the replies, everyone (even though no one ever did offer me that pillow *sniff*). I am still sitting on the application (and the fence, obviously). Your replies gave me some food for thought. :)