Has anyone been part of a DEU clinical?

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I'm entering my 2nd semester of the nursing program and have MedSurg this semester. My university if researching a DEU clinical model and has invited a very few of us to participate this semester and to offer our feedback. I'm excited about the model, but have limited information and expectations -- has anyone participated in such a model and have any insight?

Thanks

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What is DEU?

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DEU is a dedicated education unit. My university participates and I feel it is a great clinical model. It is usually 1 to 1 so one student to one nurse on the unit who has been trained by the university to be a preceptor. Whereas on a regular unit we would have 1 clinical instructor with 6 or 7 students. The DEU saves time and gives the students more opportunities for patient care.

C Smith

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that's correct -- we are assigned to one preceptor that we will be working with the entire semester instead of going to the floors in groups of 10.

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Wow that sounds amazing!

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Specializes in orthopedic/trauma, Informatics, diabetes.

That sounds like a great idea. That is how I was oriented to my current position. It was great. I guess the only downside would be if there was a personality conflict. Good Luck!!!

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I was lucky enough to be chosen to participate in DEU clinicals 3 times: Med/Surg, Pediatrics, and Mother and Child. It was an incredible experience. The level of autonomy I was given (with support from my preceptor when I needed it, of course) as a DEU student increased my self-confidence exponentially, and that's something I've carried over into even my non-DEU clinicals. I truly feel like I got a much better clinical experience than those in my class who were not chosen.

Long story short, I can't say enough good things about the DEU.

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All of my clinicals have been DEU experiences and I wouldn't change it for the world! We are the ones who do 12 hr shifts (vs 6-8) so we REALLY get involved with the patients. I also love the one-on-one interaction which allows for so much more autonomy. I literally get to feel like a "real nurse" every day because once you build trust with your preceptor you get a lot more room to act individually. The teaching is a hit or miss because depending what you value more (what happens in the real world VS what happens in the examples on your test) you're definitely going to get more of an "out of experience" approach vs pure academic. Also if it's a hospital you'd be interested in working at come graduation, the DEU is an excellent foot in the door and your preceptors will prove to be invaluable in recommendations!

Needless to say, I'm very pro-DEU hahaha :)

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