{"id":6577,"date":"2023-03-14T21:13:04","date_gmt":"2023-03-14T21:13:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.vivian.com\/community\/?p=6577"},"modified":"2024-11-05T17:34:33","modified_gmt":"2024-11-05T17:34:33","slug":"kickstart-your-nursing-career-as-a-nurse-extern","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.vivian.com\/community\/career-resources\/kickstart-your-nursing-career-as-a-nurse-extern\/","title":{"rendered":"Kickstart Your Nursing Career as a Nurse Extern"},"content":{"rendered":"

Nursing careers allow you to answer a call to help others while earning a competitive salary. You can even enjoy adventure and travel if you land <\/span>work as a travel nurse<\/span><\/a>. Kickstarting your career before you even graduate nursing school helps you capitalize on all the benefits of a nursing degree, and a nurse externship is one way to do that. Discover more about nurse extern jobs, including how they can help you pave your <\/span>nursing career path<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

What Is a Nurse Extern and an Externship?<\/b><\/h3>\n

Nurse externs are students who shadow licensed registered nurses (RNs). Nurse externships are jobs or programs that offer hands-on experience in a clinical setting. These positions are typically temporary and let nursing students work alongside and under the supervision of RNs and other healthcare professionals to gain practical skills and knowledge.<\/span><\/p>\n

During an externship, a nurse extern may perform nursing assistant roles, such as taking vital signs, administering medications, dressing wounds and assisting patients with activities of daily living (ADLs). Externs can often perform other nursing tasks as long as a licensed RN is with them and directs the task. Nurse externs may also have opportunities to observe surgeries and other medical procedures and attend educational sessions.<\/span><\/p>\n

What’s the Difference Between Nurse Externs and Nurse Interns?<\/b><\/h4>\n

While they may sound similar, nurse externs and interns aren\u2019t the same things. While the exact parameters of each position depend somewhat on the employer or facility, here are a few common differences and similarities you can expect between nurse\u00a0externships and internships.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Nurse Externship<\/b><\/td>\nNurse Internship<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Usually paid but can be a work-study\/volunteer position<\/span><\/td>\nOften paid but can be a volunteer position<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Mostly applies to students currently enrolled in nursing school, but some employers may require candidates to have completed a certain level of school<\/span><\/td>\nUsually occur once someone has finished or is just about to finish nursing school<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Nurse externs typically only provide patient care as a nursing assistant under the direct supervision of an RN<\/span><\/td>\nNurse interns may be allowed to provide some patient care as a nurse<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Positions tend to be shorter and coincide with school semesters or lengths<\/span><\/td>\nPositions may be long-term<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Are Nursing Externs Paid?<\/b><\/h4>\n

Yes, in many cases, nursing externs are paid. According to Vivian Health’s salary data collected on March 11, 2023, the <\/span>average pay for nurse externs<\/span><\/a> was $37.24 per hour, though facilities in some geolocations or medical specialties may pay more.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

However, some nurse extern programs work more like work-study programs. These may or may not provide wages. These types of programs typically involve less nursing assistant-type work and more shadowing of clinicians. They may only last for a few hours or a few days.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

When applying for any nurse extern position, ensure you understand the details, including salary, associated with the program. <\/span>Succeeding in nursing interviews<\/span><\/a> involves answering questions and asking them to help you determine whether the job is a good match for you. Interviewing for nurse extern positions is an ideal time to practice your interview skills to help you land a great <\/span>graduate nurse job<\/span><\/a> after completing your nursing program.<\/span><\/p>\n

How Can a Nursing Externship Help Your Career?<\/b><\/h3>\n

\"Nurses\"<\/p>\n

A nursing externship can be a positive stepping stone in your nursing career, whether you opt for a permanent or <\/span>travel job as a new graduate<\/span><\/a>. Consider some of the benefits of nurse externships below.<\/span><\/p>\n

You Gain Real-World Clinical Experience<\/b><\/h4>\n

A nurse externship moves you out of the classroom and into a real-world, hands-on environment. Many nurse externs perform nursing assistant duties, which include taking vital signs, monitoring patient food intake, supporting patients with ADLs\u00a0and documenting health information. However, you’re still under the supervision of experienced RNs and won’t be allowed to make serious clinical decisions, providing some protection and confidence as you wade into these experiences.<\/span><\/p>\n

In some cases, nurse externs may perform duties such as drawing blood, operating certain types of equipment and caring for wounds. How much actual clinical experience you get depends on your employer and your extern role. It may also depend on how comfortable\u00a0RNs are in overseeing these experiences, as externships are teaching roles. For some duties, you may need an RN willing to directly oversee and teach you as you perform the task.<\/span><\/p>\n

You Work Directly with Patients<\/b><\/h4>\n

You have some direct contact with patients no matter what specifics are involved in your externship. This experience can be invaluable for up-and-coming nurses, as it lets you work on critical interpersonal skills. Nurse externs may be able to practice skills such as:<\/span><\/p>\n