Clinicals Where You Work

[phantoness]

Do any of you have clinicals where you work? Or go to clinicals with someone who works there? Does it change clinicals for you?

I'm asking because this is my last semester and we're doing clinicals at the hospital where I've worked for the past 8 years (doing everything from dietary, EKG, CNA, transcriptionist and unit clerk). Sometimes I feel weird being there with the other students. I don't know how exactly to explain it but it's like I have some sort of advantage since I work there. I will admit I have an advantage when it comes to knowing my way around and knowing some people's names, I'm still learning how to be a RN and care for patients the same as everyone else.

I've never had anyone say anything directly to me so I may just be paranoid, but I feel weird if the instructor misstates hospital policy and I politely correct her. Should I just keep quiet? The instructor will sometimes look to me to be sure she is up to date on what is going on within the hospital so I can't always keep quiet, but I always wondered how the other students took it?

Anyone have experience with this?

As a side note, my school tends to be very against people working while in nursing school. They will work with people to make sure carpool groups go to the same clinical but do not want to hear anything about work schedules.

[dandk1997RN, MSN, RN]

My school doesn't allow this, so I won't be where I work, but I personally would refrain from overtly correcting the instructor if I were in your shoes. I'm not sure I'd even tell her hospital policy if she asked, simply because I wouldn't want the burden on my shoulders if I happen to be wrong. If I were another student and I saw you correcting the instructor, I probably wouldn't think that was too cool, either. Just my two cents, though.