Washington Externships and Internships

[hearts895, RN BSN]

Hi everyone!

I have a question I've been dying to know the answer to. The question is this: are there hospitals or medical centers here in WA that have Internships or Externships, esp. ones that would have a "do an internship/externship as long as you agree to work for us after graduation" type arrangements. I'm going to a school in Michigan for Nursing School, but Washington is my home state. I really, really want to come back here once I'm done. But as I look at available jobs in WA, I notice that they all want at least a year of experience. In MI they have alot of "do an internship/externship as long as you agree to work for us after graduation." I haven't seen that type of thing in WA. I'm worried that I'll have work in MI for a while to get a year or 2 of experience before I can come back here. Please advise! :) I really, really want my 1st job to be here in WA (getting my BSN and I'm sick of being homesick lol) so I wonder if there is any options for me. Thanks!

[lindarn]

Hi everyone!

I have a question I've been dying to know the answer to. The question is this: are there hospitals or medical centers here in WA that have Internships or Externships, esp. ones that would have a "do an internship/externship as long as you agree to work for us after graduation" type arrangements. I'm going to a school in Michigan for Nursing School, but Washington is my home state. I really, really want to come back here once I'm done. But as I look at available jobs in WA, I notice that they all want at least a year of experience. In MI they have alot of "do an internship/externship as long as you agree to work for us after graduation." I haven't seen that type of thing in WA. I'm worried that I'll have work in MI for a while to get a year or 2 of experience before I can come back here. Please advise! :) I really, really want my 1st job to be here in WA (getting my BSN and I'm sick of being homesick lol) so I wonder if there is any options for me. Thanks!

Evergreen Hospital on the coast offers internships. I think that the Franciscan network in Tacoma offers internships. In Idaho, Kootenai Medical offers them, and recently had four openings listed in the Spokesman Review.

You might contact these hospital in advance of graduation, and speak to a recruiter.

Lindarn, RN, BSN, CCRN

Spokane, Washington

[hearts895, RN BSN]

Thank you so, so much for the info! I have heard wonderful things about both these hospitals. I looked both up and you are correct about both. Thanks :)

[TristanT]

The only hospitals in the Seattle/Tacoma area that offer residencies are Providence-Everett; Northwest (they offered 4 places in the past year--just to give you an idea about numbers); Tacoma General; and Overlake.

Despite what the Web site says, Evergreen hasn't offered their residency in at least a year and many students who did clinicals there are waiting with bated breath to apply when they do. These are extremely competitive and much coveted spots, so ... definitely be a nurse tech and start networking now. Good luck!

[hearts895, RN BSN]

Thank you for the honest info TristanT. That is some sobering info to think about. As usual, WA is a difficult, competitive situation for future nurses. Thank you for the info though. :)