Need Some Insight on Clinical Experience

Nursing Students General Students

Published

Hello...I hope that some of you who have already graduated can give me some insight. I am in my 3rd semester of a 4 semester ADN program. Today, we were given sheets to fill out for our clinicals next semester (our last semester). We have a couple of choices that we can choose from.

We can do a preceptorship and have to work the shift of the nurse that we are precepting. That is fine. The departments that we have to choose from that we can do this are ICU, Med-Surge, PACU, OR, and ER.

OR

We can do a varied clinical experience. This experience we will be doing three 36-40 hour weeks of clinical in Med-Surge with an instructor from our school. We will also be doing a week long (36-40 hours) in either a long term facility or hospice (our choice) and another 3 weeks in either ER, Home Health, Public Health Agencies, Dialysis, Hospice, or Doctor's Office. **If we have a 3.0 GPA in just our nursing courses, we can also do what they call an Honor's Clinical anywhere we choose.

I have over a 3.0 GPA and could do the honor's clinicals . I really want to work in Labor and Delivery so if I choose the varied experience, I will do my Honor's Clinical in l&d. (otherwise, I will not get in L&D anymore before graduation since we cannot choose that area for preceptorship).

I was just wondering what everyone else's experience was with the preceptorship. Did everything work out alright with your preceptor? And did you enjoy the area that you decided to precept in? Or did you get in and decide that you hated it and was stuck? Has anyone did the variety clinical experience and how did that go?

I know that when I graduate that I want to work in labor and delivery eventually but figure I need to work in Med-Surge for a couple of years just to get my skills and everything down before venturing out.

Any advice or insight would be greatly appreciated...I have to turn everything in to my teacher by Monday, October 4th.

Thanks......

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Emergency & Trauma/Adult ICU.
I know that when I graduate that I want to work in labor and delivery eventually but figure I need to work in Med-Surge for a couple of years just to get my skills and everything down before venturing out.

Any advice or insight would be greatly appreciated...I have to turn everything in to my teacher by Monday, October 4th.

Thanks......

Just my 2 cents ... if you plan to spend a couple of years in a med-surg unit before pursuing L & D, then choosing to do your preceptorship in a med-surg unit may help tremendously with organization and skills that will make your transition as a new grad more smooth. You may also develop some good contacts for the future.

Congratulations on doing so well that you have some choices! :)

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Where I went to school we generally got one placement for our final preceptorship. My first choice placement could only give me half the hours I needed, thus I got the opportunity to have two working experiences. I spent my first half in palliative and did my second half in pediatric oncology. I think it is always good to get some med-surg experience, as those skills seem to be the most widely applicable across the nursing fields. L+D will give you opportunities to work with families and new borns, and will boost your assessment and critical thinking skills. It sounds like you have some great opportunities! You will need to look at your placement choices, your learning needs, and how the placements can best prepare you for your nursing career. I thought I really wanted to work peds oncology, but after my experience there I decided that it was too complex for this new grad; I wanted to build on my basic skills first. Other people enjoy a specialty right from the start and have no qualms about it! Follow your instincts, it sounds like you've done well so far!:)

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Thanks for the replies. I think that I am going to do a preceptroship in Med-Surge because of a couple of reasons. I will be able to do this at the hospital in my town so it will be more convenient...I am already stressed enough without having to drive an hour back and forth to a hospital. Plus, since is the hospital that I plan on going to work at when I get out of school, maybe I can learn how things work around there and get a good recommendation to be hired when I graduate. I know that I do want to go into L&D eventually but I know that I need all of my skills up to par before I ventrue out...this is what I feel is best for me. I may change my mind but I do not think so.

Again, Thanks So Much for Your Replies.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in School, Camp, Hospice, Critical Care.

I was just wondering what everyone else's experience was with the preceptorship. Did everything work out alright with your preceptor? And did you enjoy the area that you decided to precept in?

Hi, RN-to_be!

Just a note about preceptors. I did an externship this past summer which was essentially a preceptorship. Within a week (maybe less) you will KNOW if your preceptee-preceptor relationship is working out. If it is not, if the preceptor is not being generous with his/her time and knowledge, RUN to your advisor or the nursing manager and make a switch.

I had to chase my initial preceptor; she truly did not want me touching her patients and felt the best use of my skills was to clean up after her. When I could find her, she would explain nursing interventions and prioritizing to me only with great prompting, and often told me she was "too busy right now" to deal with me. Within a couple of days, one charge nurse pulled me aside and said you really might want to try to be reassigned--"She's a great nurse, but she doesn't know how to teach."

Reassignment meant I had to work a different shift, which wrecked havoc on my day care arrangements, but the difference was like night and day. The second preceptor treated me like we were a nursing team and sought out learning opportunities for me within the department.

Don't be shy about making a change! Better yet, if you can speak with the preceptor in advance of making the commitment (not an option for me), perhaps you can assess her concept of preceptorship in advance.

Sounds like your program offers great opportunities. Enjoy!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I'm completing a clinical now with a preceptor in the ER and I agree--you'll know right away if your preceptor is a good match for you. There should be plenty of time to request a different preceptor if need be. You may end up not liking the facility, but at least you'll know where NOT to work after graduation! :chuckle

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment