Nursing Externship vs. Internship: Understanding the Key Differences
In nursing school, the terms "nursing externship" and "nursing internship" are often heard, representing valuable experiential learning opportunities. These experiences play a vital role in bridging the gap between classroom knowledge and real-world practice. While both offer unique benefits, understanding their differences is crucial for nursing students and new graduates seeking to enhance their skills and career prospects.
It is important to note that the definitions of these terms can vary depending on the institution, program level (associate's, bachelor's, master's, or doctorate), and healthcare facility. Therefore, it is essential to carefully review the specific details of each program before applying.
Defining Nursing Externships and Internships
Nursing Externship: An externship is an experience that takes place outside a formal institution like nursing school. A nursing externship is a program between nursing school and professional employment that can help bridge the gap of going from full-time student to full-time nurse. The term “externship” is sometimes used interchangeably with “preceptorship”. Externships may occur between graduation and licensure, or they sometimes can be completed while you’re still in nursing school.
Nursing Internship: Internships are completed during nursing school as part of graduation requirements. Most often, nursing internships are part of your college course work. Successful completion would be required for graduation.
Key Differences Between Nursing Externships and Internships
While both externships and internships offer valuable learning opportunities, several key differences distinguish them:
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Program Length
Externships tend to be shorter in duration than internships. Externships can last weeks, while internships can last months, up to an entire school year. The goal of an externship is to introduce you to the real world of nursing independent of your school training. The program generally lasts a few weeks - enough time to familiarize you with the role of a nurse in a particular setting.The goal of an internship is to provide you with an extended opportunity to sharpen your clinical skills. As a nurse intern, you will practice under the direct supervision of a nurse. The program can last for several months and up to an entire school year.
Eligibility Requirements
Nursing externships are usually available to nursing students who have completed at least one or two years of a nursing program. Often, prospective externs must apply to the hospital they would like to work at, like any other job opening. Student nurses and nurse graduates who have yet to be licensed are eligible for externships. Facilities may require that you have been a nursing student for at least one or two semesters/quarters (some require up to two years). Nursing internships are typically completed as part of nursing school, towards the end of the program, and are set up by the nursing department. For nurse internships, your student nurse enrollment status gives you eligibility. Student nurses who are enrolled in the last year of a nursing program are most eligible for nurse internships.
Job Responsibilities
Nursing externs typically have a lower level of responsibility than nursing interns. They may assist with basic tasks such as taking vital signs. Often, externs have the functional capacity of a nursing assistant but are able to shadow RNs to learn and observe. As a nurse extern, your primary role is to shadow a nurse. Some basic tasks include assisting the nurse with bedside skills, taking vital signs, collecting specimens, and performing clerical duties, essentially fulfilling the role of a nursing assistant. Nurse interns are often completing hours for nursing school, which would enable them to function more in line with RN responsibilities under the direct supervision or another nurse. Nurse interns can often given meds and perform basic procedures with an RN, much like they can in a normal clinical situation. As a nurse intern, you perform nursing tasks similar to those you did during your clinical rotations. Some tasks include physical assessments, medication passes, patient education, bedside skills, and overall management of care.
Pay Potential
While some nursing externships are unpaid, others may offer a stipend or hourly wage. Additionally, some externships may offer other benefits such as housing, transportation, or professional development opportunities. Nurse externships may be paid or unpaid. The pay may be comparable to a nursing assistant since your responsibilities do not require extensive clinical training. Earning potential for a nurse intern can depend on how the internship was arranged. If arranged by a nursing school, you will likely not receive pay as the internship is part of the curriculum and a prerequisite for graduation. If you arrange the internship yourself, you may or may not receive pay depending on the facility.
The Role of Externships and Internships in Nursing Education
Nursing externships and internships are vital for the transition from student to nurse. They offer a chance to apply knowledge in a real-world setting.
Read also: Externship Requirements
Experiential Learning and Skill Development
Externships and internships provide an opportunity for nursing students to apply what they have learned in the classroom to real-world healthcare settings. During a nursing externship, college students can expect to gain hands-on experience working in a healthcare setting under the guidance of a registered nurse (RN) or other healthcare professional. Throughout the nursing externship, college students can expect to receive feedback and guidance from their preceptor or other nursing staff, and to have the opportunity to reflect on their experiences and learning.
Easing the Transition to Professional Practice
Externships give you a period of time in which you’re working as a nurse but are not entirely on your own yet. Externships help new nurses understand more about what their role will be, including their limitations and the basics of delegation. These can be helpful to ease the learning curve from school to practice by familiarizing the new graduate with how more basic tasks are performed, and allowing them to get acclimated to the new hospital prior to working as registered nurse for the first time.
Building Confidence and Reducing Anxiety
Anxiety, insecurity, and fear of failure are associated with the transition from student to practicing nurse. These are all important and challenging aspects of becoming an RN. Confidence takes time to build, and the only way to become more confident as a nurse is to gain actual experience. Deciding what needs to be done for a given patient feels like a lot of pressure when you’re just starting out. Getting used to the role and responsibilities of being an RN takes time as well, and early exposure is hugely beneficial.
Networking and Future Employment Opportunities
Externships and internships can be an effective way for healthcare organizations to identify and recruit top talent for future employment. They provide students with opportunities to build relationships with healthcare professionals, such as unit managers. Completing a nurse externship not only strengthens your clinical readiness but also positions you for future opportunities. Many externs are invited to apply for nurse residency programs or hired directly into full-time roles based on their performance and familiarity with hospital protocols.
How to Find Nursing Internship and Externship Opportunities
Finding nursing internship and externship opportunities does not have to be hard. A combination of determination and the willingness to put yourself out there can make all the difference.
Read also: Your Guide to Nursing Internships
Utilizing Online Resources and Job Boards
You can find many of these programs through a basic internet search. Job boards (like Indeed.com, ZipRecruiter.com, and Glassdoor.com) post opportunities too. Consider these internships and volunteer opportunities for pre-nursing students available in your state. You can also search for local job fairs and recruiting events for nurses.
Networking and Direct Outreach
Sometimes finding the right opportunity is simply a matter of asking for a chance. Try reaching out to local nursing homes, hospitals, and clinics for opportunities.Show that you are prepared by doing your research about the facility. Bring your resume, transcripts, and recommendation letters.
Starting with an Externship
If your goal is to find an internship, start out as a nurse extern first to get your foot in the door. A facility may choose to offer you an externship over an internship to reduce costs and legal risks.If permitted, introduce yourself to managers in various departments and offer help as needed. Make yourself memorable. You may be invited back as an intern one day.
Preparing for a Nursing Internship or Externship
Not ready to take the plunge yet? There are simple things you can do now to prepare for a nurse internship or externship. Start by learning what to expect, like common nursing internship dos and don’ts.
Maintaining Academic Excellence
Keeping your grades up. Maintaining a good grade point average will show that you are a dedicated hard worker. Once you are ready to apply for these opportunities, you can show that you are a capable candidate for the position.
Building Professional Connections
Start networking with other nursing professionals. Professional networking in nursing is a great way to start preparing for these opportunities. Find a nurse mentor who can help you find opportunities in the future. Get close to your nursing instructors. While nursing instructors primarily teach, they can also connect you with the right person who may offer you an opportunity in the future. Ask them for recommendation letters and, if possible, keep in contact with them. If you have already graduated, try reaching out to your most recent instructors.
Volunteering
Start basic volunteering. Volunteering shows that you can be committed to something for a cause. If facilities see that you have volunteered in the past, they may be more likely to offer you a volunteer nurse extern/intern position.
Making the Right Choice: Externship or Internship?
When determining which path you will take, consider what you want to achieve from the experience. If you want to gain more confidence in your nursing skills, an internship may be best because you can practice and perfect your skills. If you simply want to see what it would be like to work in a particular setting, an externship may be a great option, as you can get a feel for the environment without having to complete clinical tasks. If you want to get your foot in the door at a particular facility, an internship may be a great way to showcase your skills.
Additional Considerations
Nurse Residency Programs
Nurse residencies are similar to internships and externships but they are specifically designed to be completed after licensure. Usually, a residency will require you to sign a contract to work at the hospital after you’ve completed it. Nursing residencies are usually structured programs with a defined curriculum, specific learning objectives, and formal evaluations. Residency programs are different than nursing internships and externships. These programs are designed to support new graduate nurse hires as they transition to practice (often in acute care). Residency programs start when a fully licensed nurse begins orientation on their department. These programs are not for nursing students, or nursing school graduates who have yet to receive their license. These programs are also for any RN who has not worked in a specific area before (hospital or outpatient) but has been hired into that area to help the transition to the fast-paced environment and improve retention rates. They last anywhere from a few months to a full year, and these programs can receive accreditation.
The Value of Both Experiences
Regardless of which path you choose, both programs are great ways to gain professional nursing experience. The good news is, you don’t have to choose between an externship vs. internship - you can do both. Each offers something different, and participating in both during college will increase your chances of securing employment or admission to graduate school.
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