No Senior Practicum?

Students General Students

Published

Hello! The nursing program I am in does not offer a "senior practicum" to its student during their final semester. We will just have a regular didactic/clinical schedule like past semesters. The question existing is will this hinder me in my job searches/applications after graduation? I am currently working as a PNA in an Emergency Department so I am gaining experience, but the hospitals I am looking into wants mentioning of where your practicum was, etc., so I will have to put N/A. If there's anything I can do in its place that would be just as fulfilling as a practicum, please let me know. Thanks a million!!

Xlorgguss

203 Posts

Some programs just don't have them. I am currently in one that doesn't offer a senior practicum. The hospital system I work for has a nursing intern program independent of any school that they do during the summer. Unfortunately I didn't know this until applications were already due for this year's cycle. There is no point in doing it for next year because I should be graduated by then. I am assuming that a PNA is like a PCT/PCA/Tech/Nursing Assistant? That alone is great PAID experience and should open doors at your current facility if not elsewhere.

phiaflyy

119 Posts

Okay, good to know I'm not alone in this (: & yes PNA is a "professional nursing assistant". Thanks so much for your advice!!

TheCommuter, BSN, RN

102 Articles; 27,612 Posts

Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.

Senior practicum? I've never completed one, nor did I need the experience. Keep in mind I've completed three different nursing programs (LVN, ASN, and BSN).

phiaflyy

119 Posts

Senior practicum? I've never completed one, nor did I need the experience. Keep in mind I've completed three different nursing programs (LVN, ASN, and BSN).

Okay! It's something nursing schools are doing now to help students get experience on a floor of their choosing/interests. Hopefully, I'm just panicking for no reason :whistling: Thanks for responding!

Specializes in Ambulatory Care-Family Medicine.

The local program where I live stopped doing theirs. Our two local hospitals didn't want to do it anymore, I'm betting a student screwed up somewhere and it became too much of a liability because they pulled the plug on it out of nowhere. A practicum is not required (at least in my state) to sit for boards.

pixiestudent2

993 Posts

Really? That's a shame. That's where I feel I learned the most in nursing school.

I think your experience as an aide will help you to find a position after graduation.

phiaflyy

119 Posts

Really? That's a shame. That's where I feel I learned the most in nursing school.

I think your experience as an aide will help you to find a position after graduation.

Yes, that's what I'm hoping. :saint:

Specializes in Allergy/ENT, Occ Health, LTC/Skilled.

We do 40 hrs one on one with a med surg nurse but that's the extent of it and I got to one of the top programs in my geographical area. I know the other school in the area does the same as us as well.

My program didn't offer a senior practicum either. None of us who graduated were hindered by our lack of a senior practicum.

+ Add a Comment