Is it possible to arrange shadowing a nurse...

[Kashia, ASN, LVN]

Is it possible to arrange shadowing a nurse when you are not on staff of hospital or facility?

Has anyone here done this? I am thinking my re-entry would go much smoother if I could just be

in setting and shadow another nurse for shift or two. I am not returning to an on staff position rather through

an agency I've been associated with on and off for nine years. So agency staff relief you pretty much just go

and hit the floor running and there is no one to coddle you. You are expected to function at highest level of your scope

or license.

I am thinking I will just call around and see, but wonder if anyone has ever done this? thanks...

[MissIt]

I know at UNC there is a place on their website to request a shadowing. I think it's for people who are trying to decide between one floor and another. Not sure.

[classicdame, MSN, EdD]

we do not allow it due to HIPPA. Also, the hospital would have a risk exposure if you get sick/hurt. Tours and classroom situations only are allowed.

[Marshall1]

The hospitals in our area allow it. I suggest calling the nursing administration office and asking -

[bbracklein]

I tried to set up a deal like that with the VA, and it fell flat, due to all the reasons cited.

[Mukfay]

You might be able to do it through a volunteer program. I know it would probably take more time than you want to spend for just a couple of shifts, but it would address the HIPAA concern, and you might get more information that way.

Regards,

Mukfay

[srobb11]

I think it probably depends on where you live. I was able to do it, shadowed an OR nurse (loved it by the way!), but it may have helped that I have a family member that works there. I had to sign confidentiality documents and my immunizations had to be verified and documented. It was a great experience and I'm glad I was able to do it.

[erwigg]

There is the HIPAA concern but there are waviers that can be either gotten or drawn up and signed. then a confidental form as well. the confidental form dealt with company processes and their ways of doing things

When I did it in couple of differnt places it was a page for each one. bascily saying I won't talk about anything I learned about a person and their info.

Really comes down to the thought process of the uppers

I say go ahead try to find place to that's willing but fe ready to sign some forms

[elkpark]

I see various people here talking all the time about doing it, so, apparently it's possible in plenty of places, but I can't imagine why any hospital or other healthcare facility would permit such a thing -- too many HIPAA and liability concerns.

[Otessa, BSN, RN]

The healthcare system where I work let people shadow health professionals (not just nurses). There is a limit of less than 50 hours in 2 years and there is a TON of paperwork plus proof of vaccinations, education regarding confidentiality, etc. and signing papers to attest that you understand you will NOT be providing pt. care-prior to the shadowing experience.

otessa

[Kashia, ASN, LVN]

thanks for all the replies! guess I will just give it a try and call some hospitals in area and see.

[Cul2]

In all these posts, although HIPAA requirements are mentioned, I read nothing about obtaining patient permission for a shadow. Now, you're response might be, Of course we get patient permission-- I wonder how it's done. Is patient permission embedded in one of those confusing forms patients sign -- so do you assume the patient has "general" informed consent if they've signed that form -- or do you asked each individual patient each individual time if that patient would mind someone shadowing the nurse -- letting that patient know the shadow may be anything from a high school student to a student nurse or doctor? And what do you do about patients in an ER -- when do they get to give their consent -- or with patients who are not conscious? In other words, is there a standard protocol for this, or is it done differently form hospital to hospital?How specifically do you define informed consent when dealing with shadows?