[hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Does it ever feel like you spent more time on your care plan for nursing clinicals than actual patient care? It’s common for nursing students to walk away from clinicals wishing to have seen and done more.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]By engaging in a nursing internship, you can get more hands-on experiences on a schedule that works for you. We cover what you will gain in a nursing internship and how to make the most of the opportunity.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″ class=”text-secondary”]What to Expect From a Nursing Internship[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Many nursing students pursue an [hen-ui-link href=”/resources//internships-and-volunteer-opportunities/”]internship[/hen-ui-link] to get more clinical experience during school. Throughout a [hen-ui-link href=”/resources//nursing-internships-and-practicums/”]nursing internship[/hen-ui-link], you will shadow a nurse in a patient-care setting (like a hospital) for about 10 weeks.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Under the supervision of a registered nurse (RN), interns perform basic patient care like hygiene, mobility, and other activities of daily living. Depending on the supervising nurse’s comfort level, you may perform more advanced nursing skills as you progress through the internship.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Unlike a nurse externship, which is usually shorter in duration (think summer break), an internship may last a few months. The hours are often set up as “per diem,” allowing a nursing student to schedule shifts around school.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]A nurse internship is coordinated independent of a nursing school and does not count toward clinical hours. Whereas a nurse extern is viewed as a nursing school affiliate, an intern is treated like a hospital employee. Get ready to work![/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The best place to find a nursing internship is an online job board, but the career center at your college of nursing may have information too. Because you’ll be performing patient care, you’ll need to have basic life support certification and be enrolled in either an associate or a bachelor’s prelicensure nursing program.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″ class=”text-secondary”]The Dos: How to Make the Most of Your Internship[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]When you get started in a nursing internship, you want to take advantage of all the learning opportunities available.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-list variant=”unordered” bullet-style=”bullet”] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-flex direction=”column” gap=”xxs”] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h4″]Set & Share Goals and Expectations[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text-stack gap=”xs”] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]From the beginning, set goals and expectations for what you want to get out of the internship. For example, if you were hoping to improve your intravenous (IV) skills ahead of graduation, share that goal with your supervising nurse. You could say something like, “I’d like to improve my IV skills during this internship since I haven’t inserted any in clinicals. If you’re comfortable, please keep me in mind when a patient needs an IV placed.”[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Remember that you’ll be working under another nurse’s license, so patient-care opportunities will need to be approved first. By openly communicating your goals from the beginning, the nursing staff will be more likely to help you achieve a meaningful experience.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-text-stack] [/hen-ui-flex][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-flex direction=”column” gap=”xxs”] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h4″]Keep Notes to Revisit[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text-stack gap=”xs”] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]While you’re getting all those exciting experiences, remember to keep notes of the types of patients you care for. You never know when you’ll see those interesting diagnoses and treatments again! When the internship is over, you can connect the experiences with future lessons.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Most important, you’ll be able to reflect on all the skills you gained throughout the internship.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-text-stack] [/hen-ui-flex][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-flex direction=”column” gap=”xxs”] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h4″]Say Yes to Opportunities of All Kinds[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text-stack gap=”xs”] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Every day of a [hen-ui-link href=”/resources//nursing-internships-and-practicums/”]nurse internship[/hen-ui-link] can present a new learning opportunity, so remember to be open to new experiences and willing to jump into different situations. It’s OK to stray from your preceptor for a day — ask to observe bedside procedures for other patients or even visit another unit to see their workflow.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Joining a nursing unit outside of your school environment may be a little intimidating at first, so remember to:[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-text-stack] [/hen-ui-flex][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Seek and accept feedback from the nurses, managers, and patient-care assistants.[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Practice self-care to address your own needs throughout the internship (for example, don’t sign up for an extra shift if you need to study for an exam).[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-flex direction=”column” gap=”xxs”] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h4″]Treat Every Day Like a Job Interview[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]A nursing internship is also a great way to begin [hen-ui-link href=”/resources//networking-in-nursing/”]professional networking in nursing[/hen-ui-link] as you consider your career options after graduation. Treat every day as if you’re on an RN job interview: Ask lots of questions, get to know the staff, and determine if this type of unit would be a good fit for you.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-flex][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-flex direction=”column” gap=”xxs”] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h4″]Seek Connections and Potential Mentors[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Even if you don’t decide to work there after graduation, you may connect with a nurse who can be a future career nurse mentor. Always remember to show interest and gratitude toward the nurses who are helping you learn.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-flex][/hen-ui-list-item][/hen-ui-list][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″ class=”text-secondary”]The Don’ts: What to Avoid Doing in Your Nursing Internship[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]While a nursing internship is all about your experience, remember to be respectful of all the nurses and staff you are working with. To maintain a professional presence, be sure to avoid:[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-list variant=”unordered” bullet-style=”bullet”] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Being late[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Calling out at the last minute[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Showing up out of uniform (when in doubt, refer to the dress code guidelines from your nursing school handbook)[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item][/hen-ui-list][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Showing respect for your coworkers also means demonstrating professional behavior.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-list variant=”unordered” bullet-style=”bullet”] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-flex direction=”column” gap=”xxs”] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h4″]Don’t Be Afraid to Ask Questions or Share Needs[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text-stack gap=”xs”] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]As an intern, you are not expected to know everything, so be honest about the skills you aren’t comfortable performing. It can be easy to become flustered with a heavy task list, so always be upfront about your needs.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]By advocating for yourself, you’ll avoid taking on too much of a commitment and losing track of your responsibilities, which could impact patient care.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-text-stack] [/hen-ui-flex][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-flex direction=”column” gap=”xxs”] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h4″]Don’t Hide Mistakes[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]There may be times that you make a mistake. Always be honest with your supervising nurse about an error and use it as a learning opportunity.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-flex][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-flex direction=”column” gap=”xxs”] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h4″]Don’t Be Defensive When Receiving Feedback[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]When you receive constructive feedback from nursing staff, take the time to self-reflect instead of becoming defensive.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-flex][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-flex direction=”column” gap=”xxs”] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h4″]Don’t Be Too Hard on Yourself[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]As a nursing student, it can feel like you have so much to learn in a short amount of time. Remember that skills and clinical judgment will come with experience, so be patient with yourself until then. In the meantime, consider applying for a nursing internship to gain confidence-building experiences.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-flex][/hen-ui-list-item][/hen-ui-list]