Dear Nurse Beth Advice Column - The following letter submitted anonymously in search for answers. Join the conversation!
While I am unfamiliar with nursing outside of the States, your last clinical rotation as a nursing student should not determine your nursing career.
"Consolidation" is primarily used in the UK and other countries with similar healthcare education systems, like Australia and New Zealand. In these countries, consolidation refers to the final phase of a nursing student's clinical education, where they transition from being a learner to a professional by applying all they've learned in a real-world setting under supervision.
In the United States, the term isn't as commonly used, but the concept of final clinical placements or internships that allow students to consolidate their learning before graduation is similar. In the U.S., these are often referred to as "clinical rotations," "preceptorships," or "senior practicum."
Consolidation aims to ensure that students are ready to practice independently and safely, similar to how clinical rotations function in other countries.
It's understandable to be concerned about becoming specialized in one population, especially in a niche area like pediatric hospice. However, there are a few important points to consider:
In short, while your consolidation in pediatric hospice will give you valuable experience, it won't necessarily limit your future options. You'll likely have ample opportunities to develop adult nursing skills after graduation. If adult nursing is something you're passionate about, be proactive about seeking opportunities to learn and practice those skills once you're in the workforce.
Best wishes,
Nurse Beth
Published
I am a nursing student in my last semester of school. I am about to start my consolidation at a niche nursing area. I will be working at a pediatric hospice, and I am worried that I will be pigeonholed into one population, when I would like to also work in the adult population. There are skills that I haven't even attempted during my adult clinical practice for example IV placement or Foley insertion, PICC lines, chest tubes. Will I have to opportunity to learn and practice this skills once I graduate and I am in the workforce, or should I forget about working in the adult population.
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