summer internship vs. summer travel

Pinkster · Jul 1, 2008

wow If I had the chance to travel to Europe with good friends, i would SO take it!!

But that is just me

and other than my opinion, I'm still a pre-nursing student so I have no further advice lol sry.

Quidam · Jul 1, 2008

I would go. I would network and find what I could if you wanted to work...but carve out those dates. You may not be able to get an externship due to the trip...but personally I would never pass up that opportunity. Good luck with your decision.

runningchk · Jul 1, 2008

Although the internship may be a good opportunity, when are you ever going to get the chance to travel Europe with friends for nearly 2 weeks?? I'd take Europe...you'll work the rest of your life.:chuckle

just my :twocents: , good luck with whichever decision you make!

ankagor · Jul 1, 2008

remember- your work will last for life, traveling - take every chance!

take your time, think, don't be impulsive :)

good luck!:heartbeat

floatRN · Jul 1, 2008

I would definitely travel. You might never get that opportunity again. Enjoy the summer. There will still be plenty of nursing jobs.

TexasPediRN · Jul 1, 2008

I'm with everyone else - go to Europe!

I've never heard of a hospital that will hire you before graduation unless its as a CNA, which, in that case, would be completely different then an internship. They can only hire you as a graduate nurse (in some states), or a nurse.

Another reason to take the travel, is to celebrate being done with school (or almost done!).

Have fun!

CT Pixie, BSN, RN · Jul 1, 2008

I would do the European vacation! You are 23 years old, you've spent a few in nursing school and I'm sure you've had no real vacation in quite a while. As the other poster said, you'll be working for the rest of your life but traveling isn't as easy to do.

Once you are in the working force as a nurse it will be very difficult to take 10 days off and go visit another country. Add to that in the next few years you could be married and having children. Once children come into the picture travel like that is very very difficult. Money gets tighter, schedules less flexible etc.

I'd say if you have the funds to travel to Europe, go for it! I do not regret my life choices or how my life has turned out thus far, but if given the opportunity to relive my younger years pre-children I would probably only do one thing differently, I'd travel much much more!

Go to Europe and make a life time of memories!!

SecondGenRN · Jul 1, 2008

Take the trip!... you'll be able to work for the next 30 or so odd years!

llg, PhD, RN · Jul 1, 2008

Will taking the trip ruin your chances of getting a decent job when you return? Find that out before making any committments.

In some cities, if you miss the start date of the new grad orientation programs (i.e. internships), you will have a hard time finding a decent job when you return. That will get your career off on a bad start, which may have long-term negative consequences for your professional future. Europe is not going anywhere. You can always go later if it is that important to you. However, you will have 1 and only 1 start to your career. Don't blow it unecessarily.

However ... if your local job market is not that tight ... and your local hospitals hire new grads throughout the summer (after you get back) ... then go to Europe. Enjoy a little fun before you settle down. You need to talk with some people who know the hiring schedule of the hospitals that interest you. That should be the determining factor. At my hospital, we hire most of our new grads in July and August -- leaving the month of June wide open for someone to take a trip such as the one you are considering. But if your local hospitals only hire new grads right after graduation, then you need to consider that in your decision.

Don't forget to also plan on taking your NCLEX exam in there somewhere.

cruel shoes · Jul 1, 2008

I agree with llg. I graduated Dec 07, and spent the breaks during my senior year working. My Jan winter break was spent in an unpaid rural hospital preceptorship, and was the experienced which helped me learn I wanted to be an ICU RN. I spent the summer in a paid externship program at a major research facility's ICU, another learning experience that prepared me for life after nursing school. These two experiences allowed me to see a range of nursing practices, resources, equipment, ICU environments, patient Dxs... the list goes on. These jobs helped me get my first choice for my final semester's senior preceptorship, which helped me get job offers during interviews in the country's tightest job market. I am working while some of my classmates who enjoyed their time off from school are still looking for work. These jobs helped solidify my choice of specialty, allowed me to gain experience while still a pre-RN, which alleviated the stress of trying to learn on the job while protecting my license... I was as prepared to start working as a new grad as I could possibly be because I worked on my "vacations." Nothing can completely prepare you for the stress of being a new grad, but my advice is to get as much and as varied experience(s) as you can before you are licensed. You will thank yourself in the long run. Europe will always be there (and right now the exchange rate is dismal). Best wishes.

bsunurse23 · Jul 1, 2008

I say that you take the trip. I started working as a graduate nurse the day after I graduated from college. I worked 2-3 weeks and then went on a cruise with my family which was prescheduled, came back worked another week and then went to Florida for a week for a family wedding. My new manager was okay with this as I told her these plans before accepting the job and she just made sure that I had the time off. We also recently had a new grad who worked for a month or so and then took some time off to go to Italy. The manager was fine with this as well as she was up front with her and she knew about it when she was hired. I really think that you can do both if you are honest with the managers! If not, I still say travel as you are only young once and like others said- work will always be there! Don't pass this opportunity up!