Testimonials
I thought the externship was one of the best experiences I've had since being in nursing school. I felt much more confident in patient skills and assessment after returning to school. I felt so blessed to be able to have an experience like this to solidify my thoughts as to go into Labor and Delivery. It also looks very good to put on a resume! I graduate in December and go to Mizzou. Thanks for all your help this summer! Eileen Luebbe The externship program was a great opportunity! The hands-on experience and being able to experience the nursing role settled my nerves before I have to be a nurse on my own. I learned a lot and how things flow within the unit and Emily Goebel- SIUE Seriously, it was the best possible experience I could have gotten in nursing school. The skills I learned and perfected were above and beyond anything I could have ever learned in clinical, and I am grateful I was able to have that opportunity. I also believe that it helped me figure out exactly what I want to do with my nursing degree (O.R.) when I get out of school. Having the opportunity to pick fields you're interested in allows you to experience what a real RN does in that specialty, so it really gives you an idea if that's something you want to do or not. Those three months were better than any clinical rotation I have ever had, bar none. Garret Gutting Participating in the summer externship program is a wise choice for anyone that is currently in nursing school. The externship allowed us to work one on one with nurses, and in our own desired location and floor. In this way we were exposed to the "real world" nursing field in our chosen locations/specialties. Patient Care Technicians (PCTs) in hospitals normally are limited in the variety of tasks they can perform independently. The externiship allowed us to perform close to all of the procedures that a nurse would, thereby enhancing our clinical knowledge and practical skills more so than if we were to work as PCTs. Being able to choose what type of setting you wanted to work in (that you might not be able to work in normally) for 10 weeks and being able to function almost completely as a nurse as an undergraduate are priceless advantages to the program. My mentor(s) and clinical coordinator in the BJH emergency department were encouraging, helpful, and friendly. I didn't meet anyone I didn't like. UMSL Being a student extern was a wonderful experience. It gave me hands on experience that you just can't get in a small town hospital. Trish Kreikemeier, Truman State University, Kirksville, MO The summer externship was an amazing opportunity. The hands on experience was more valuable than my nursing clinicals the past 3 semesters. This program prepared me for my senior year and really boosted my confidence in my clincial skills and as a graduate nurse. I wish I could have done it sooner. If this is what you are looking for than I hope it helps. If you have any questions let me know. Thanks! -Andrea Szerzinski This externship experience has open different doors of opportunities for me. This experience provided opportunities to advance my clinical skills. The program was well structured; we had clinical practice at the hospital with a preceptor and classroom discussion incorporated together.. The hospital (St. Louis Children̓s Hospital) atmosphere provides different learning experience and the staffs are always willing to teach. Through this externship, I was able to determine my career path. It was definitely one of the best summers of my college career!! Opi Kemiki I truly loved this externship experience. It taught me so much about myself as a person and as a nurse. I feel much more confident in my nursing skills and capable in my abilities. I am so looking forward graduating and beginning my practice. When I compare my experience with my classmates, I can certainly see that I got the best experience available for students. Thanks! I have learned more during this externship than I have in two years of nursing school. This externship gave me the confidence I need when making clinical decisions. After this externship, I feel confident that I could function as a competent and compassionate nurse, and I still have an entire year or nursing school to complete. Jake Shepard It helped me transition from a student role to a nurses role. It was better than my senior practicum. It was very well organized and the lectures were interesting and helpful, like the one on all the types of lines or when a someone from HR came to talk to us and answer our questions. This program also helped me get ahead of the game when it came to applying for a job this semester. The unit treated my like a real nurse vs. a nursing student and asked for my thoughts and opinions about the patients I was taking care of. Thanks! Jonna R. Meyer My name is JoAnn Rabe and I participated in the externship program this past summer 2008. I was at Barnes Jewish Hospital on 15500, the acute psychiatric floor. I was very impressed that I was able to choose the area of where I wanted to be which further helped me decide the career path that I will take after graduation. I learned an excessive amount from my mentor, the area I chose, and all the staff around me. Nursing is a wonderful field to be in and this program helped me refine skills learned and also showed me that this career choice is right for me. I recommend this program to any and all nursing students-if selected you will not be disappointed. –JoAnn Rabe/ UMSL It was the opportunity of a lifetime to get such good experience while being a student nurse still. Also, I would say omething about the great pay, good hands on experience, and how good of a relationship I made with my mentor. You can put any of that in your own words but those were definately the perks. Beth Messmore Southern Illinois University Edwardsville The Summer Nurse Externship is an opportunity to see what Nursing is really like. This program gave me the confidence I needed to be a better student and become a better nurse. I learned more than I ever imagined and fell in love with Nursing as a profession. I would recommend this program for every Nursing student! Katie Feldman |
