How to shadow??

Published

I was wondering if I were to make my application slightly more competitive by shadowing a nurse, could I do this? I can't imagine them just letting someone into a hospital to follow its staff around? If I could do this, how do I go about doing it (e.g. do I go to the hospital directly?)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in PCA.

Im not really sure if it would make your application more competitive, but it would give you a good idea of what its like to be a nurse so that you're sure its what you want to do.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in no specialty! (have to graduate first!).

It can't hurt. Even if it doesn't make you any more competitive, why not do it anyway? I think it kind of depends on what school you're planning on going to. At my school, they didn't do any interviews. They took your application, reviewed your grades and NET scores and you either got accepted or you didn't. The application consisted of our name, address, and what schools we attended in the past. There were no essay questions. But, if you're going to a school that does conduct interviews, I would say that you should definitely do some shadowing. Because they will ask you about your experience with health care and you can add shadowing to your list. At the hospital in my town, you just go to Human Resources and they will get you started. I shadowed in the OR and delivery room. It was awesome! I learned quite a bit about the roles the nurses have in different situations. Which is why I recommend you doing it whether or not it will help your acceptance.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Tell me more about this shadowing. What exactly do you do? When do you work, etc. I would interested in this.

Thanks:)

It can't hurt. Even if it doesn't make you any more competitive, why not do it anyway? I think it kind of depends on what school you're planning on going to. At my school, they didn't do any interviews. They took your application, reviewed your grades and NET scores and you either got accepted or you didn't. The application consisted of our name, address, and what schools we attended in the past. There were no essay questions. But, if you're going to a school that does conduct interviews, I would say that you should definitely do some shadowing. Because they will ask you about your experience with health care and you can add shadowing to your list. At the hospital in my town, you just go to Human Resources and they will get you started. I shadowed in the OR and delivery room. It was awesome! I learned quite a bit about the roles the nurses have in different situations. Which is why I recommend you doing it whether or not it will help your acceptance.
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med-Surg, Geriatrics, Wound Care.

I didn't shadow a nurse, but I decided to volunteer in a hospital ward for a few months. I wanted to make sure the position really interested me. Although I didn't shadow, but I did watch the nurses to see what they were doing. The hospital I was at had a few different volunteer programs, so I went through one of those.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion