What's better: Nurse Extern or LPN???

RunnerRN, BSN, RN · Nov 14, 2006

I didn't do either, but some in my class became nurse externs, and had great experiences. I think (given the choice) I would choose the externship....your duties and scope will be somewhat closer to what they will be after graduation. Plus, if you extern in your chosen department you will get a very personal view of how that dept works.

Curious1alwys, BSN, RN · Nov 14, 2006

Extern, all the way!!!

As an extern, you get to see the job, get experience, without the stress of having full responsibility. Plus, as an LPN you will only do things in the scope of LPNS. You are training to be an RN! Plus, as an extern, you only make a bit less than what an LPN makes in a hospital setting. The only disadvantage to externing is you can't rely on it as your sole income if you need to make a certain amt of money. There is a limit to how much you can work.

Speaking of externing....I go to two interviews for just that today at 2:30 so gotta go!!!!:wink2:

TazziRN, RN · Nov 14, 2006

My school didn't offer either option, but I think I would have liked being an extern. My hospital hires externs during the summers and this summer we had 4 of them. The one we had last summer was so awesome we hired her on graduation.

suzanne4, RN · Nov 14, 2006

Schools usually do not offer the externships, they are offered directly by the facilities that hire them. I vote for the externship 100%. Especially if the student is interested in a specialty area, they usually pair up with an RN and can get some of the best experiences.

destiny5 · Nov 14, 2006

I'm not sure where you're from but in my area being an LPN is a more excellent choice for several reasons. LPN's make more than externs in the local hospital. The LPN's scope of practice is very close to that of an RN nowadays in hospitals. Some even hang blood and give IV push medicines. An LPN is a licensed nurse. God forbid something should happen and you can't continue immediately pursuing your RN goal. You would at least be able to work as a nurse and be earning a decent income while doing it.--You could even get your LPN license and continue to RN or BSN online. Pay the $250 and get a license. It is barely the cost of 2 books and will open up other options for you.

Externs scope of practice in our hospital is that of a CNA with a little more pay. At our hospital if you are a licensed LPN who is currently in an RN program you get paid $22 an hour. If you aren't in an RN program you make around $15 hr. LTC pays about $18-20 hr. but you may not want to go that route. Granted it is harder to get into a hospital with an LPN license, but they would be more likely to hire you if they knew you were in an RN program.

I guess what I am trying to say is that "extern" means different things in different hospitals. I would check out all the local hospitals and ask around before I made a decision.---

An LPN licence v/s no license wins hands down in my book....

Curious1alwys, BSN, RN · Nov 15, 2006

Well, I won't have to choose....I am officially an Extern! :balloons: :yeah:

cardiacRN2006, ADN, RN · Nov 15, 2006

Yeah! Congrats. I learned a ton from my externship!

slou! · Nov 15, 2006

I'm sorry, I don't mean to hijack your thread, but can someone tell me exactly what an externship is? Sorry again :)

CrazyPremed, MSN, RN, NP · Nov 15, 2006

Thanks for the replies, everyone!!!

I'm considering ER after graduation and debating which would be a better choice, extern in the ER, or get the med-surg floor experience (as an LPN), then start in the ER as a new grad. It seems - based on everyone's advice - that I should research the scope of practice of the two options and see what is the best fit. Thanks!

Anyone else?

CrazyPremed

cardiacRN2006, ADN, RN · Nov 15, 2006

Thanks for the replies, everyone!!!
I'm considering ER after graduation and debating which would be a better choice, extern in the ER, or get the med-surg floor experience (as an LPN), then start in the ER as a new grad. It seems - based on everyone's advice - that I should research the scope of practice of the two options and see what is the best fit. Thanks!
Anyone else?
CrazyPremed

Hey crazy, I just thought of another thing...When I applied at ICUs before graduation, they all had some sort of requirement of working in an ICU. The said for new grads, they would consider either an externship or final preceptorship as the experience. So the students that did not do either could not get hired directly into the ICU. I wonder if ED is the same way? So that is another vote for externship!

meandragonbrett · Nov 15, 2006

Check with the hospital that you are considering being an intern at. Where I am, I make more than the LPNs and can do physical assessments, dressing changes, and draw labs via straight stick (and do appropriate doccumentation of actions). So check and see what would be better for you. Good luck!