Graduating this year... Looking towards preceptorship

1. I'm new here, and don't know if this question has been asked before.... please bear with me.
   
   I don't know if there are any other students in their final year of their nursing program who are experienceing this as well. I am looking forward to graduation and being done school, but am overwhelmed when trying to decide on my preceptorship.
   
   I know that different schools call it different things... our preceptorship is our last clinical experience before graduating. 8 weeks working one on one with a nurse, putting everything we have learned together.
   
   Anyways, I am overwhelmed with all the decisions to make. What hosptial do I want to preceptor at, what area? I like peds, but wonder if I should do some med-surg nursing before specializing...
   
   Is anyone else having trouble with all the options and decisions out there? Has anyone given you suggestions or advice on getting through to graduation?
2. 

   About Little.Bird

   Joined: Sep '06; Posts: 9
   RN on General Medicine floor
   Specialty: 1 year(s) of experience

   4 Comments

   Topic Closed
3. 
   Sep 24, '06

   I had a kinda hard time choosing where to go also. I really wanted ICU, so I had to choose an ICU otherwise I'd have a hard time getting in to one after I graduated. The best advice I got was to pick the place that you wish to work at when you're done.
   That being said, I choose one place, hated it, and went someplace else once I graduated, so don't feel trapped at wherever you go. Choose the place that you feel will give you the best experience.
   
   Good Luck!
4. 
   Sep 24, '06

   See, that is part of my problem... I am not entirely sure where I want to work when I am done. I have always leaned towards peds, but I have enjoyed most of my clinical experiences (except psyc, no offence! ) So I am trying to decide if I should continue towards peds, or keep all of my options open and see where I end up.... AAAK!
5. 
   Sep 24, '06

   If you are already leaning towards peds, then I would go with that. Maybe try an area that you did not experience in peds clinical. There were a few different areas in peds that our class got to choose from (NICU, PICU, oncology, OR, and PACU). I ended up getting the OR spot, and I am loving it!
6. 
   Sep 24, '06

   Unfortunately, my peds experience was incredibly short. 8 shifts. Really not enough to help me decide if that is where I want to go. But, the short time I had there I really enjoyed and was a wonderful learning experience. It was very tough and draining at the same time (a little palliative girl, and a little boy who was just diagnosed with cancer).
   
   Do folks find it difficult to change to a different area once you start working?

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