Shadowing?

Nurses General Nursing

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Hi everyone!

I recently finished my pre-reqs and hope to be starting nursing school in January (assuming that I get in! knock on wood!). I don't currently work in a hospital or patient care setting, but I am really interested in shadowing a nurse for a day or part of a day to see first hand the things that you do on a 'typical' day. Has anyone else out there done this? Is it encouraged, or would I just be annoying a busy nurse by tagging along with him/her all day? The school I want to go to didn't have good information on this, they told me to try local hospitals. What department of the hospital would handle this? I'm worried that since I'm not even a nursing student yet that they might be skeptical of me.

I'm in the Seattle area, so if any of you seasoned nurses in the Puget Sound area would be willing to have a shadow for the day, let me know! :D Feel free to send me a PM.

Any hints on this process would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks!

Rose

SandyLV

38 Posts

Hi Rose!

I am a nursing student and think shadowing a nurse is great. However if you really want to get hands-on experience you can volunteer as a CNA. I was a bit skeptical at first but after I started before my 1st semester, that was the best thing I had ever done. I only did one day every two weeks-you don't want to get overwhelmed-but it gives you experience on dealing with real people and handling personalities and emotions.

I did the shadowing for one week and what the nurses were doing was waaaayyy over my head. After your 2nd semester you'll feel better about shadowing because you'll know what they are talking about and will learn a lot about meds and procedures, but for right know, trust me, you will be very thankful when you start your first clinicals in first semester and realize that you already know how CNAs do everything they are supposed to do (God bless their great hearts).

Just my little 2 cents....Hope it helps...

jemb

693 Posts

Most employers I have had would not allow "shadowing" -- confidentiality problems, liability, and any number of other reasons they could site to prevent it.

sjoe

2,099 Posts

Specializes in Corrections, Psych, Med-Surg.

There is a forum for nursing students and their issues on this BB. Perhaps some fellow students can provide you with info on what worked, or didn't work, for them.

SmilingBluEyes

20,964 Posts

Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.

ask a NURSE at your local hospital about this. I would encourage it if you can do so. The idea of becoming a CNA is a good one, too. If you can find time in your schedule, I recommend it. And while Joe pointed out there is a student nursing forum here, you and other students are ALWAYS welcome to direct your questions to the General forum; we are always glad to help students. You are the future. Best of luck to you. Let us know what happens!

Brownms46

1 Article; 2,394 Posts

Specializes in Everything except surgery.

srose...hello..:)

Give the nursing office at the VA a call there in Seattle! I did a contract there, and there were several nursing students, and even though who were just considerisng nursing who came thru to shadow. Also I would give Group Health a call, especially their hospital in Redmond! Both are great for letting people shadow nurses. The VA even has a summer program for high school students, and the students and the staff loved it! I met some very sweet young people there, and loved seeing thrm come in on the weekends. In fact one student is now in nursing school, and was hired directly in, as a tech, and given a schedule that worked around his school hours. Before I left, and he graduated from high school...we all gave him a party on the unit, and purchased his first stetoscope...gold plated..along with new scrubs...to keep him looking sharp..:)! If you need some names to contact...just let me know..:cool:

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