Working as a nurse extern

mattsmom64 · Sep 12, 2007

It depends on which hospitals you apply to. The Banner hospitals will accept applications for externship after you complete your second Block. The CHW hospitals will accept applications after completion of one Block. You can go to the hospital's websites and search under "careers" or "students." St Joe's and Banner post specific information about the requirements of their programs.

Externs basically shadow a nurse preceptor. They are allowed to do any skill that they have been signed off on to do in school. The only acception is that externs cannot pass meds and they cannot touch anything related IV administration. I hope this helps....

cardiacRN2006, ADN, RN · Sep 13, 2007

Same here. Could extern for the summer after 2nd semester. Wasn't allowed to pass meds or start IVs. But the experience was invaluable. I highly recommend it.

After the summer was over, you could stay on as a 'student nurse' or 'nurse tech'. Which basically meant you were a tech. But you made more money than the average tech. I made squat as a nurse extern, but it was about $3 more than the average PCTs. But you don't stay paired up with a nurse after the externship ends-they want you on the floor working, not taking up a nurses time. So you can't shadow forever.

Glina · Sep 15, 2007

Thanks a lot!

**RosesrReder, BSN, MSN, RN** · Sep 16, 2007

I'm working as an extern II now-pay is 2 dollars less than RN. My position is only for 90 days in which I must sit for NCLEX.

I just moved to AZ a few days ago, graduated a few weeks ago and testing dates are too far out so I am going to make the drive to San Diego to test sooner.

As mentioned above, you are paired with a preceptor. I started RN orientation but obviously don't do meds until I become licensed.

I think the experience is definitely invaluable and worth it. Back east, I had never heard of such position other than Graduate Nurse.

There are extern I positions as well-it's for nursing students. I highly recommend it to anyone!

Jess

Calzonan RN · Sep 16, 2007

After the summer was over, you could stay on as a 'student nurse' or 'nurse tech'. Which basically meant you were a tech. But you made more money than the average tech. I made squat as a nurse extern, but it was about $3 more than the average PCTs. But you don't stay paired up with a nurse after the externship ends-they want you on the floor working, not taking up a nurses time. So you can't shadow forever.

It works a little different here in AZ. I'm working as an extern right now. During the summer you can work full-time through CHW (St. Joes, Ch-Reg, Mercy-Gil) and then when you get back to school you can work one day a week, with a minimum of one day a pay period. Banner only allows you to work one day a pay period, even during the summer. Once summer is over you still shadow a nurse preceptor and work as an extern. The program is invaluable!! I've learned so much and have really enjoyed it. The pay isn't great, but I'd almost pay for this experience anyway so getting paid is a nice bonus. It also allows you to see if the area you want to go into is really the right fit for you. If you have the chance to become an extern, take it!!

Keli

Nurse Extern L&D, block 4 Nursing student....50 days until finals!!!! But who's counting??? :lol2:

Glina · Sep 17, 2007

Are you allowed to work as an extern only after block 2? I would like to go through LPN route first, and I wanted to know if I can work in the field somehow while in LPN school, just for the experience. Can you work as CNA while in LPN program and how does that go? Do you have to be certified as CNA or what?

Calzonan RN · Sep 17, 2007

Are you allowed to work as an extern only after block 2? I would like to go through LPN route first, and I wanted to know if I can work in the field somehow while in LPN school, just for the experience. Can you work as CNA while in LPN program and how does that go? Do you have to be certified as CNA or what?

CHW hires students to work as externs after block 1. From what I understand you work in an area that you've already covered in clinicals, which means no peds and no OB, but you can work med/surg and tele. While you're in LPN school you can work as an extern (after block 1) and a CNA. Most places require you to be certified though. Some of my classmates have worked as techs in the ER and in OB as well, and some have worked as HUS/HUC's. There are lots of opportunities but it really helps if you know someone. I can PM you with the name of a place that doesn't require you to have your CNA to work there, if you want. If I were you, though, I'd try and get on with one of the larger hospitals in some area so that you can start networking.

Keli

Glina · Sep 17, 2007

CHW hires students to work as externs after block 1. From what I understand you work in an area that you've already covered in clinicals, which means no peds and no OB, but you can work med/surg and tele. While you're in LPN school you can work as an extern (after block 1) and a CNA. Most places require you to be certified though. Some of my classmates have worked as techs in the ER and in OB as well, and some have worked as HUS/HUC's. There are lots of opportunities but it really helps if you know someone. I can PM you with the name of a place that doesn't require you to have your CNA to work there, if you want. If I were you, though, I'd try and get on with one of the larger hospitals in some area so that you can start networking.
Keli

Thank you so much, Keli. You sure can PM me. However, I did not start my LPN program yet, I just wanted to know what my options are for the future and how can I gain some experience while still in school. What do you think, what would be better, to work as an extern or CNA?

Knorremeisje · Sep 20, 2007

Honestly, I would work as a nurse extern instead of as a CNA. As a nurse extern you get to shadow a nurse and follow her while she does meds, charting, IV pumps, assessments, etc. You get to see none of that stuff as a CNA (at least not from that close), as a CNA you spend your day showering, walking, taking vital signs, etc. I'd really recommend being a nurse extern when you get a choice!

jamonit · Sep 29, 2007

I totally recommend working as an extern prior to graduating. If I could have changed one thing about my nursing career, that would be what I would have done. I work on a tele floor at Mayo--and I've been a nurse for 6 months. Nurses that externed have a better chance at picking the shift they want, perfecting skills, and getting comfortable with the floor (and the expectations). Go to an education hospital (like here) and extern for at least a semester, even if it's one or two days a week. I think the pay pre-NCLEX is $19/hr, new grads $25. At 6 months they increase pay to $26/hr and then another dollar more after you have had your license for a year. (oh, and noc shift--$6 diff).