What Is a Nurse Extern?
How do student nurses go from classroom learning to professional practice? One way to ease this transition is through nurse extern programs. An extern is a nursing student who is gaining practical, hands-on experience via one of these programs. Closely supervised by nurse preceptors, these students build critical thinking, patient management skills, and more.
Nurse externships are typically offered to students in the final stages of their nursing education. For example, the summer between your final semesters is a good time to investigate this option. Externships are also paid, so this can be a good opportunity to start earning income before you have your license.
Some nurse externs are assigned a specific unit and specialty to work in, while others cycle through different units to gain exposure. Here are some examples of facilities that typically offer student nurse extern positions:
- Acute care hospitals
- Rehabilitation centers
- Health clinics
- Skilled nursing facilities
- Cancer centers
- Dialysis clinics
What Does a Nursing Extern Do?
Nurse externs are given opportunities to observe and assist experienced RNs with a variety of patient care tasks. Their duties vary depending on the healthcare facility and unit. For example, a nurse extern in med-surg units will see patients who are acutely sick, but if you pursue a position in a clinic, you’ll see more health promotion and maintenance.
Here are some of the tasks that an extern might do in a typical day:
- Assist nurses with daily patient care, such as helping with personal hygiene and mobility.
- Measure and record patients’ vital signs, like temperature, pulse, and blood pressure.
- Observe medical procedures to gain insights into patient care protocols.
- Perform basic medical tasks, such as administering medication under supervision.
- Communicate with patients and their families, providing emotional support and education about care plans.
- Help with documentation and maintaining patient records.
Understanding the Nursing Extern Scope of Practice
What is a nursing extern responsible for? Because nurse externs are unlicensed, their scope of practice is limited and they work under the supervision of licensed personnel. They’re not able to administer medications, perform invasive procedures, or make clinical decisions independently. Their role is supportive, with a focus on learning and developing the skills necessary to transition smoothly into the role of an RN after graduation.
The Benefits of a Nurse Externship
Pursuing an externship offers a range of benefits, including:
- Real-world experience: Nurse externs get hands-on experience in clinical settings, applying what they’ve learned in nursing school.
- Skill development: Externships help students improve their clinical skills and develop confidence in performing essential nursing tasks under supervision.
- Career exploration: By working in various units, nurse externs can make a more informed decision about the nursing specialty they want to pursue after graduation.
- Networking opportunities: Externships provide students with opportunities to build relationships with healthcare professionals, such as unit managers. It’s not uncommon for an extern to be offered a role after graduation.
- Smooth transition to practice: Nurse externs can have an easier time transitioning from school to practice since they’ve already experienced the clinical environment and workflow.
How to Become a Nurse Extern: 4 Steps
Interested in an externship program? If you’re already a student nurse with a few semesters under your belt, you can skip to step three in the list below.
Step 1: Enter Nursing School
Before you begin taking nursing classes, you’ll need to complete prerequisite courses from a community college or four-year university. These courses usually include:
- Microbiology
- Psychology
- Statistics
- English
Once you’ve completed these courses, you’ll apply and enroll in an accredited nursing program. This can be either an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program. This foundational education is essential for helping you learn basic nursing skills. Learn more about the requirements for nursing school.
Step 2: Complete Your First Few Semesters
Before you can apply for a nurse externship, you’ll need to complete a few semesters of nursing school. You’ll rotate through various clinical settings, which may include med-surg, psych nursing, obstetrics, and pediatrics. You’ll also take more specialized nursing school classes, like:
- Anatomy and physiology
- Health assessment
- Pharmacology
- Pathophysiology
Step 3: Apply for a Nurse Externship Position
Once you meet eligibility requirements, it’s time to start looking for student nurse positions. Many hospitals and healthcare facilities offer externship programs over summer breaks, but they can be available throughout the year as well. You can look for openings through your school’s career services, hospital websites, or job boards.
When applying, make sure your resume highlights your relevant coursework, clinical experience, and passion for nursing. In interviews, be prepared to discuss what you hope to learn during the externship and how the experience will help you transition into your future role as an RN. It’s also worth taking your time to review the job description so you’re prepared for the expectations of this role.
FAQs About Nurse Externs
Do nurse externs get paid?
Yes. Although this role is focused on experience, nurse externs still provide valuable services such as bathing, toileting, supervised medication administration, and more.
How much do nurse externs make?
In a full year, the average nurse extern salary is about $41,000. But most externs don’t work full time for a full year, so your hourly wage will vary based on your location and the area you choose to work.
If you’re a nursing student curious about the areas where nurses bring home the highest income, check out the highest-paying states for nurses:
What is a nurse extern vs. CNA?
Nurse externs and CNAs can both fill supportive roles for patients and clinicians, however their goals and trajectories are different. Nurse externs are in temporary positions, and will go on to complete school and become RNs. Their purpose is to gain experience so that they can start applying their nursing school training to practice.
CNAs go through different training and focus on assisting patients with basic needs like hygiene, feeding, and mobility. They can work on a contract, permanent, per-diem, or other work arrangement.
What is a nurse extern vs. intern?
The main difference between an extern and an intern is the timing and structure of their experiences. An extern typically refers to a nursing student who works in a clinical environment during nursing school, gaining hands-on experience under supervision.
An intern is typically a recent graduate who is completing a training program to further develop clinical skills before fully transitioning into a licensed RN role. They tend to be offered as training for specialized areas, such as the OR, PACU, or ICU. More commonly, these are referred to as nurse residency programs.
Want to Become a Nurse Extern?
When you’re ready to start applying your nursing skills, we hope you’ll think of us. IntelyCare has externship positions in facilities across the country. Learn more when you create a job seeker account.