Two questions for those getting ready to graduate

*PICURN* · Feb 10, 2005

#1 YES we have a preceptorship program where we get to pick the specialty we want, and if we are lucky, we get it. I also chose peds and it was WONDERFUL! I had a great preceptor, and I am sure that had a lot to do with it! Don't be nervous. Just be friendly to your preceptor, ASK LOTS OF QUESTIONS, and take every opportunity that is handed to you (or go find one!) We had to work 102 hours of precepting and it was great honestly. It was the first time when I realized I can ACTUALLY do this! It really brought it all together for me.

#2 I am not a May grad, but a December grad (of last year) and yes I do have a job lined up (starts monday!) Do not be worried THERE IS A SHORTAGE! The jobs will not all be filled, however I definately suggest you get out there and start looking because the area you want, at the hospital you want, may be filling up. Start calling/emailing recruiters at various hospitals that you are interested in. Start figuring out what areas of nursing you like and which ones you know you DON'T want to work in. Tour some hospitals, talk to nurses who work there. Don't freak out, some of my friends who graduated in Dec still don't have jobs yet. If you know a unit you want that is a specialty area, start looking now

GOOD LUCK!

HappyNurse2005, RN · Feb 10, 2005

Preceptorship-yes. it's only 24 hours though (why so little? i dont know) and I'm doing mine this weekend in Labor & Delivery :)

Job-i've applied, and have heard that interviews start in late february. I plan on having a job lined up before i graduate. I figure everyone and their brother will graduate this May, so i want to secure the job i want as early as i can.

Ayvah, RN · Feb 10, 2005

For the hospital that I work in, we have already hired several nurses who will be starting work in June, after they graduate. You can feel free to send applications for nursing positions when you begin your last semester of school before you graduate.

lmcnabbkv · Feb 10, 2005

In our program you could apply for the preceptored clinical in the area you desired to work in. I applied and had my final semester in the NICU and I loved it. At first I was a little apprehensive but my preceptor was great and even though it was her first time precepting a student so did wonderful and I learned so much. Preceptors should not expect you to know everything (especially in a specialty area) but they do expect you have a foundation to build upon. Just take time to review before your clinicals and every night go home and read about something interesting that you saw. My preceptor would "assign" me an interesting case or disease process to further research and present on the next time I went back (if of course we weren't too busy!) Be honest with your preceptor if you do not understand something and remember the main reason you are there is because you want to learn!! As long as you feel comfortable take every chance you get to practice your skills and to learn, don't be afraid to step up to a challenge! Your preceptor will be there with you the whole way.

To answer your other question, because I knew what area I wanted to go into, about two months befroe graduation I began applying to new-grad programs and lo and behold I will be starting in the NICU at Lucile Packard Children's Hospital at Stanford at the end of this month!! Don't stress out about anything right now, just focus on your studies and remember that your preceptorship is a great experience and will definately give you an edge when you apply for jobs! You will get as much out of it as you put effort into it!! GOOD LUCK!

Altra, BSN, RN · Feb 10, 2005

Our preceptorship is 135 hours crammed into 3-1/2 weeks. We follow the schedule of our assigned preceptor(s). It's the clinical component of our final nursing leadership/trends course. Despite the fact that that 3 weeks will be a logistical nightmare for my family, I feel fortunate that we have that concentrated time to "put it all together."

We were asked for our preferences as far was which hospital (choice of 2) and unit (all med-surg, cardiac and/or telemetry units), but there's no guarantee as it will be a struggle to accomodate this year's class which has nearly double the number of students from the last few years.

I should find out in the next couple of weeks where I'll be assigned -- looking forward to it. :)

As far as jobs ... most people in my class are looking now. A few already have job offers. Personally, I wouldn't wait until after graduation but that's JMO.

Just when I really feel like I've hit my stride in school -- like I'm really doing well -- it's about time to go ... :rolleyes:

jenrninmi, MSN, RN · Feb 11, 2005

Hi!

Preceptorship: Yes. It's 110 hours withing 6 weeks. We work the schedule our preceptor works. Mine is in OB.

Job: Yes. Postpartum unit. Start end of May.

jzprple · Feb 12, 2005

We're lucky...we get 7 weeks but have to do more than 250 hours for our preceptorship. I'm in an accelerated BSN program though so we're pretty used to random over the top hours by now.