Hi everyone,I'm very interested in switching careers to eventually become a NP. This will be a long road ahead for me, as I current hold only a non-nursing BA. I would really love the opportunity to shadow a current NP for anywhere from 1 hour to a few days. When I contacted our local hospital to inquire about such a possibility, they told me that due to privacy laws that I would not be able to do this. The irony is that I was currently volunteering for that hospital (which they knew), and regularly filed patient charts. I was endlessly amused (and frustrated) by this hypocritical policy.So, having said all that, I was very much hoping that there is a current NP in the San Francisco bay area who would graciously allow me to shadow them. I know it's a lot to ask, but I'm hoping something will come through. I promise I'm a really nice person! :)If anyone has further advice beyond this request, I would very much appreciate that as well!Best wishes,K
Trauma Columnist traumaRUs, MSN, APRN 153 Articles; 21,231 Posts Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU. Has 31 years experience. Nov 19, 2006 You might not be able to shadow an NP for just that reason - privacy. Perhaps talking in depth with an NP would give you a general idea of what goes one. Another option is to contact a school in your area that you might like to attend and ask them to put you in contact with someone.
BSNtobe2009 946 Posts Specializes in Looking for a career in NICU. Nov 19, 2006 One of the schools I looked at offers this, but you have to be a currently enrolled student to set up this arrangement and enrolled in the pre-nursing major.
romie 387 Posts Specializes in Not specified. Has 3 years experience. Nov 20, 2006 When I wanted to shadow an NP, I simply went to npcentral.com to locate an NP in my area. I contacted one of them with my request and recieved a yes reply the next day. Don't go try to shadow someone by contacting some receptionist at a big hospital and expect that receptionist to even begin to know how to process your request. You should narrow down your NP shadow request to a specialty and work setting that you are interested. The more specific you are and the personal you make your request, the more likely you will get a favorable reply.And most of all, don't believe anyone who says that it will be impossible to shadow an NP for a day. NPs are professionals who are usually eager to spread the awareness of their work and to help out future colleges. Good luck.
Kensington 324 Posts Nov 20, 2006 Thank you for your advice, that's a great idea. It's worth a shot! :)You might not be able to shadow an NP for just that reason - privacy. Perhaps talking in depth with an NP would give you a general idea of what goes one. Another option is to contact a school in your area that you might like to attend and ask them to put you in contact with someone.
Kensington 324 Posts Nov 20, 2006 Also a wonderful idea and I'm going to do as you say, and make my request more personal to what I'm looking for. Thank you for the encouragement, I needed it! :)When I wanted to shadow an NP, I simply went to npcentral.com to locate an NP in my area. I contacted one of them with my request and recieved a yes reply the next day. Don't go try to shadow someone by contacting some receptionist at a big hospital and expect that receptionist to even begin to know how to process your request. You should narrow down your NP shadow request to a specialty and work setting that you are interested. The more specific you are and the personal you make your request, the more likely you will get a favorable reply.And most of all, don't believe anyone who says that it will be impossible to shadow an NP for a day. NPs are professionals who are usually eager to spread the awareness of their work and to help out future colleges. Good luck.
