Capstone on a Transplant Unit

Students Student Assist

Published

Hello everyone! 

I have a couple of questions.  I was just told that I will be completing my capstone on a liver and kidney transplant unit. Is there anything anyone can suggest for me to brush up on? I am definitely going to review post-transplant medications as well as go through the renal and hepatic systems. 

Additionally, I was wondering if transplant units usually qualify as critical care units? I am hoping to possibly work in the ICU as a new grad and I know that most employers are looking for students who have had some critical care experience. 

Thank you everyone for your help! Stay safe ❤️ 

Specializes in Physiology, CM, consulting, nsg edu, LNC, COB.

This is a nursing school capstone, so besides becoming familiar c the medical and pharmacological aspects of care, do some good reading on the nursing and psychosocial aspects of being a transplant candidate, family member, donor, and recipient. This will give you a broader perspective on what these people go through on their journey, which will make you a more perceptive nurse.  
Whether or not this is a critical care unit, these patients need really excellent critical-care level assessment skills from you. You’ll be able to share your accomplishments and enthusiasm for that with any potential employer. No learning is ever wasted! 

The transplant units I have been on were PCU units. So definitely some critical care experience. I have plenty of friends who had a Med Surg capstone and still got an ICU job including me so it’s not everything. Take advantage of the networking and learning opportunity. Take advantage of your schools career center if they have one to proof your resume and cover letter and if you land the ICU interview be ready with the behavioral questions. I took 10-15 most common nursing interview questions I found on Google and prepared a specific scenario from my work as a PCT to answer each question. I wasnt asked the exact questions always but I had prepared those scenarios so well that I was able to use one for every questions asked and was told later that I stood out in interviews and I’m sure it was because of that. 

+ Add a Comment