I am a third year nursing student. I am finishing up finals for the current semester. Today we received our clinical placement for next semester. My clinical site is in an extremely dangerous area. I do not want to disclose location for privacy reasons but it is extremely bad and I am terrified to even drive through this area yet alone have a clinical at this place. I have been signed up for two 8 hour shifts and I feel completely helpless. I'm too scared to even ask my school if I could switch. An e-mail was sent out that there is a no switch policy unless another student can switch with you and absolutely no one will take this. I'm already sick to my stomach and it is not even the next semester.
True story: Worked 3-11 on New Year's Eve at Gary Methodist. Was late getting out and it was right at midnight. You'd have thought it was the shootout at the OK corral! Security wouldn't let me leave. Good times in the 'hood!
Im just going to add to the fray here and say that you sound a little prejudiced. "bad areas" often get a bad wrap because the people are either poor or brown and the media and others who dont live in those areas love to demonize people like that. Go to you clinicals, dont act like you're scared of people because thats rude and dehumanizing, be open minded and just use common sense. If its dark walk with someone, dont leave your car unlocked and dont leave any bags visible in the vehicle. Youll be fine. Believe me.
When I was student teaching, I requested one of the most challenging schools around my area. It was in a "bad area" but I chose it for a few reasons. I thought that if I could learn to teach there, I could teach anywhere. I also thought that I could gain a lot of experience that I wouldn't be able to gain anywhere else. I had one of the best terms while my classmates who requested the "better" schools were miserable. At first my classmates laughed at my decision but I learned more than I could have if I took an easier case load as a student teacher. I'm stilling finding that that experience I gained has helped in my nursing career with the patients I work with now.
My point is if you are open to the experience you will gain more than you ever thought possible and it will be a life lesson that you can carry with you wherever your career path takes you. Be open to it and take in as much as you can.
meanmaryjean, DNP, RN
7,899 Posts
Two shifts? You park in the parking lot, enter the building - do your thing- exit and leave.
And Esme- I worked at both Gary Methodist (agency) and Michael Reese (southside Chicago). I'm still around!