Graduating this year... Looking towards preceptorship

[Little.Bird]

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?

[cardiacRN2006, ADN, RN]

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!

[Little.Bird]

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! :)

[BeccaznRN, RN]

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!

[Little.Bird]

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?