Whether you are already in nursing school or are considering applying, there is a wide variety of summer activities and opportunities to help you learn more about the profession, to grow your skills, and to help you prepare for the year ahead. (Remember to also take some time to recharge and take care of yourself during the summer months!)
Here is a list of potential summer opportunities that you might want to explore (however, remember that these are not the only options):
- Apply for summer externships or internships.
For current nursing students, there are a variety of extern and intern opportunities available. These are usually open to students who are entering their last year of nursing school. When looking for these positions, try a Google search like “nursing student externships near me” or look at specific hospital websites to see if they offer summer programs for nursing students. At times, these programs are also offered year-round. Researching these opportunities well in advance is also helpful so that you have enough time to prepare all of the required application materials (ex. resume, essays, recommendation letters, etc.) and so you are aware of important deadlines.
- Seek out summer job or research opportunities.
There are plenty of jobs that students can have throughout the summer. Some students work as CNAs, Techs, and EMTs. Research opportunities are also available. Oftentimes, students will receive emails from school faculty members looking for research assistants, so be sure to keep an eye out for those if this is something that you might be interested in.
- Get involved with your community.
Sometimes we are extremely busy throughout the school year, and this does not leave us much time to be involved in our communities. If you have some extra time in the summer and if this is something that you are interested in, take some time to volunteer. This could include volunteering at a local food pantry or at a hospital. Along with this, connect with other communities that you are a part of. These could include sports-related communities, communities that you are a part of with fellow students, etc.
- Prepare for the year ahead.
Think about your next steps for the year ahead. Will you be applying to nursing school, applying for jobs, or taking the NCLEX? You might want to update your resume or to create an outline of it for the upcoming year. This will make it much easier to add clinical hours to your resume as you participate in clinical experiences throughout the school year, for example. Practicing interview questions is also a good idea. Research common interview questions and think of how you might respond to them drawing on your past experiences and considering your future goals. The more you practice, the more comfortable you will be with answering interview questions.
- Take time to rest.
Be sure to listen to your body and your mind when it feels like you need a break, and take some time to participate in activities that bring you joy and help you feel rejuvenated.
