Are Virtual Clinicals A Detriment to Future RN Hirability?

[ALittleNightMusic]

Hi all! I am looking for a bit of guidance and perhaps a little space to vent. I am a student who is half-way through the completion of an Accelerated BSN program (recently finished our Med-Surg II course) and I am happy to report I have loved every moment. However, with the need for substitute clinical experiences (I.e. virtual simulations) I am beginning to worry about my readiness as a future nurse. I have always been interested in working with the Peds/OB population, but with the current situation I will be unable to ever experience the hands-on skills that are unique to caring for infants and children. I am worried that without any valuable hands-on experiences as a student, I will be far less hirable for a position in the field than others who have stepped foot on that floor... it seems to me that a new hire like myself would take longer to orient and I could understand many hospitals seeing that as undesirable/not wanting to commit their resources in that way.

Does anyone else have similar concerns or maybe some insight on what this could look like for future applicants in similar situations? Any and all opinions are welcome!

In the big picture: I realize that all over the country, students are being effected by these same issues. We are in this together, and the most important thing we can do is to protect ourselves, be alert, and finish school so we can do our part on the frontlines in the coming months and years. Keep yourselves safe and be well!❤️

[203bravo, MSN, APRN]

42 minutes ago, stroylm said:

I have always been interested in working with the Peds/OB population, but with the current situation I will be unable to ever experience the hands-on skills that are unique to caring for infants and children

Honestly in most programs there are very limited hours in these departments... The biggest thing that you will miss is making actual contacts in these departments with the nurses and nurse managers that can alert you to potential and actual job openings.

[NICU Guy, BSN, RN]

On 4/9/2020 at 12:30 PM, stroylm said:

I have always been interested in working with the Peds/OB population, but with the current situation I will be unable to ever experience the hands-on skills that are unique to caring for infants and children. I am worried that without any valuable hands-on experiences as a student, I will be far less hirable for a position in the field than others who have stepped foot on that floor... it seems to me that a new hire like myself would take longer to orient and I could understand many hospitals seeing that as undesirable/not wanting to commit their resources in that way.

Most community hospitals have a very small Peds dept. Having in person clinicals at those types of hospitals will not give you an advantage for a new grad Peds job vs online simulation clinicals. The only graduates that have an advantage are those that had a Capstone placement/Externship in a Pediatric unit at a children's hospital or those that were employed in a Pediatric unit (children's hospital) prior to graduation.

[caliotter3]

I certainly would not point out any details, especially "negative", of your clinical experience at an interview for employment. For what it is worth, employers are well aware that clinical placements have very little to do with a new graduate's readiness for the job. They expect to orient you to the specialty at the same time you are learning about the policies and routines of their specific facility. If anything, the people who should be concerned about employment after this all settles down are those who are being allowed to practice without taking and passing NCLEX first.