Senior nursing major Michele Farina didn’t want to work just anywhere.

“When looking for a job as a nurse extern, I wanted to find work at a hospital that provided exceptional care to the patients,” Farina says.

She found that exact environment at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia—and, luckily, the schedule fit around her busy clinical hours.

Farina started working in Jefferson’s Kidney/Liver Transplant unit in September 2020. So far, her role’s responsibilities shift every day. “As a nurse extern, I work under the direction of a registered nurse, taking vital signs for patients, measuring intake and output, assisting with toileting and linen changes, personal care, performing EKGs and any other tasks assigned by the nurse within my scope of practice,” she says.

As expected, the pandemic took a toll on both the hospital and Farina’s life. “The most challenging aspect of the job has been worrying about getting COVID-19 and giving it to my loved ones,” she says. “I’ve been assigned to patients who have COVID-19 on top of their underlying diagnosis. Fortunately, I’ve been able to stay safe and healthy by wearing proper PPE at work.”

But working through a crisis has showed Farina how much her profession matters and the difference she can make in others’ lives. “I have learned the impact a great nurse can have on their patient,” she says. “I have such a greater appreciation for nurses and nurse assistants since starting in this role because they will do anything for their patients and endure through the many hardships and challenges that healthcare presents. The most rewarding part of my job is how thankful my patients are for my care and being able to help them through really difficult and uncomfortable times.”

After graduating, Farina hopes to work as a bedside nurse in Pennsylvania, preferably on a unit that cares for gastrointestinal and genitourinary patients. She advises other nursing students to seek help from professional career developers and other nurses with experience in job applications.

“I consulted with Jen Laird, who was amazing at helping me with my resume and gave me reassurance on the job application process,” Farina says. “I have also sought much help through Diane Rudolphi, a School of Nursing faculty member who has been fantastic at helping me pursue my career goals and develop myself as a professional.”

Farina says this position has taught her more than she could learn just by being in a classroom. “This externship supplemented my BSN education at UD by providing me with crucial care experience on top of my clinical,” she says. “This job is very busy and fast-paced and takes a great deal of prioritization and organization, but these are skills I’m getting better and better at mastering. You never stop learning and growing as a nurse.”