Why can't I shadow a nurse...

Hey! First of all, some nursing programs require that you have some sort of healthcare/volunteer experience to ensure that you've been exposed to what it's really like. It's basically to weed out people who think they want to be in healthcare, but have never actually seen what it's really like. A lot of people say they want to, and then after being exposed to it, change their mind. As far as shadowing, I had a hellavu time doing it. It took MONTHS. My local hospital requires that you be sponsored by your school, they won't let you just walk off the street and shadow their nurses. There also usually has to be a specified purpose, for me, I had to have it for a course requirement (Biology internship of your choice). And b/c I wasn't a nursing student, I had to go through tons of paperwork and have them in constant contact with my advisor from school. Most of the same requirements are needed to volunteer as to shadow, Neg TB screening, training videos and test, orientation, etc. It's not an easy or quick process, but if you want/need the experience, it's totally worth it. I actually wish more schools required it, around here they don't. If they did, they would have already weeded out the people who are unsure, rather than after a semester or two, at which time their spot can't be replaced. What you need to do first and foremost is call the volunteer office where you'd like to volunteer and fill out an application, find out what needs to be done. Also, ask them if they know (or know who would know) how to go about shadowing. It takes a lot of running around, but be persistent. Hope that helps! Good luck!

What kind of responses have you gotten when inquiring about shadowing a nurse or PA?

Anyhow, best wishes to you.

If you're a student and could possibly take a class that allows you to do an independent study/internship, the hospital will more than likely work with you. I'd call the hospital directly. Either way you would have to sign a confidentiality agreement. Volunteers have to do this as well.

Here at my institution we allow observational experiences all the time. We just have the person sign a form regarding confidentiality etc.

Forget the school and contact a local hospital - ask for the Education Department and explain you want to observe a nurse/PA, etc. They will get you hooked up.

I volunteer in the ICU at the local hospital..

Everyone there has been really great about letting me see things--I even helped prepare a patient for the morgue on my first day (wow, if that wasn't a jump into the deep end, I don't know what is! )

The only place I was told I was not allowed is where there were sedated patients...hope that helps!