Nurse Extern vs. Intern: What Are the Differences?

Nursing externships and internships are vital for the transition from student to nurse. Explore the differences between the two and discover ways to land opportunities.

Nursing externships and internships are great ways for you to prepare for your nursing career. Uncover the differences between the two and what makes each one unique.

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.

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).

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.

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.

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.

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. According to ZipRecruiter, as of April 2023 the average pay for a nurse intern in the U.S. is $47,360 in comparison to $64,110 for an entry-level registered nurse.

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. Regardless of which path you choose, both programs are great ways to gain professional nursing experience.

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.

Here are three ways to find programs.

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.

Here are four more ways to prepare.