Working as nurse extern help resume after graduation?

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I'm in my last year of nursing school and trying to decide whether or not to squeeze a job as a nurse extern into my already crazy schedule. In your experience, does working as an extern really give you an edge when it comes to interviewing for nursing jobs? I will most likely not get a job in the same state where I am currently going to school, so it isn't going to help me get my foot into the door in one particular hospital system. I am willing to look into doing it if it will help me in the future, but if it doesn't seem to make a difference in getting hired, it would just be another stressor on top of school and a family. Thanks for all your responses!

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Specializes in Nursing Professional Development.

It would definitely help at my hospital. That's one of the key screening criteria we use for new grad applicants -- even those from out of state. We like the fact that the new grad has experience in the real world of nursing and feel that those new grads have an easier time transitioning to the staff nurse role.

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Absolutely. It is def what got me my job (I start in a few weeks!) It gave me more clinical hours, and I got to care for 4 -5 patients on my own by the end of the summer. Def helped "sell myself" and put me ahead of others as far as resume, experience, and getting a job. Not only did it help me get a job, it also makde me feel more comfortable.

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It certainly will put you ahead of applicants who show no healthcare experience on their resumes. You will have something to refer to during interviews.

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Thanks everyone for your input. :) I appreciate your knowledge very much.

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Specializes in NICU, Pediatrics/PICU.

Where I live, it is pretty much THE reason that a lot of new grads get jobs. Hiring, especially for new grads, has been WAY down in the past several months and most units prefer to take an experienced RN (and seem to have many to choose from). We were told in nursing school that any sort of experience as an extern would be helpful, and that has been more than proven when seeing who's been getting jobs lately, what units they're hired to, and who has had more trouble finding something (I just graduated early this month).

In short, if you think you can fit it into your schedule, I think you should give it a shot! Good luck!!

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