Can I shadow my parents?

[EoHeal]

My parents are both nurses and I was wondering if I'm even allowed to shadow them on my own time. My mom doesn't want me to because she thinks it's not allowed and I have to be in a shadowing program or be a nursing student. (I'm a senior in high school But is it really against the rules to shadow my parents? Of course I'm going to shadow other health workers in the future and I've been in a shadowing program before but I just want to see my parents in action for once lol.

[Simplistic]

You would have to get permission from the hospital, but I dont see why not.

[EternalFeather]

Lol. I personally wouldn't. Even if it is allowed. I don't want to get in their way and it might be kinda awkward, as someone who isn't a medical professional yet. Also, I don't want to witness them in a stressful situation that i can't help. But its dependent on you and your parents' dynamics. This is just my opinion though.

[Extra Pickles]

Check with your guidance counselor on what options you might have that don't put you in the situation of shadowing your own parents, maybe your school has a program you can enroll in. You can also contact HR in a hospital, any hospital, and ask if there are shadowing opportunities for high school students. My opinion is that even if you are allowed to shadow your own parents you probably should opt for a stranger, someone who you wouldn't be tempted to be too casual with and can keep it to more of a professional situation than Take your Daughter to Work Day. There's a place for that, and a place for what you're looking for now. Good luck.

[mrszab90]

I shadowed my mom in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit but this was about 13 or so years ago, so I don't know if rules have changed. I am willing to bet each hospital has different policies for shadowing but it never hurts to ask. Good luck

[Elizabeth777, BSN, RN]

Even if it is allowed, I don't think it's a good idea. Not only for you, but also for your parents. It's hard for them to remain professional when they have their child with them.

I think, however, that shadowing a stranger would be a fantastic idea. Contact your local hospital and inquire about theopportunities for high school seniors.

[Wiggly Litchi]

Also going to chime in and say that I don't think it's a good idea - in healthcare especially, it's very important to maintain a professional demeanor, which can be hard when you're essentially mixing business with family life. I work in the same hospital as my fiance and it's pretty much an unwritten rule that as soon as we're on hospital grounds, it's business only (heck, very few of our colleagues know we're together because we don't display it at all in the workplace).

By all means, find someone to shadow if you can, but honestly I think it would be a much better idea to shadow someone that isn't related.