Job shadowing?

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Specializes in ICU.

Did anyone job shadow a nurse before they became a nurse? I am trying to find a hospital that will let me do this. I am considering a career change and want to be absolutely sure that nursing is the right thing for me (or as close to sure as I can be:)

All of the hospitals I called said that they don't do job shadowing due to confidentiality reasons. That is understandable, but obviously I don't want to be halfway thru nursing school and decide that I won't be able to do it after all. I am from Michigan (and plan on coming back) but am currently working in Virginia, and all the hospitals I have called have been out here.

Before I became a dental hygienist, I job shadowed, and it was extremely helpful in my decision.

Thanks!

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Job shadowing is definitely a good idea. Here is Michigan, the University of Michigan hospitals offer job shadowing experiences. I'm not sure about other area hospitals. In general, the large, teaching hospitals with nursing schools usually offer it.

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Specializes in Critical Care.
Did anyone job shadow a nurse before they became a nurse? I am trying to find a hospital that will let me do this.

All of the hospitals I called said that they don't do job shadowing due to confidentiality reasons. That is understandable, but obviously I don't want to be halfway thru nursing school and decide that I won't be able to do it after all. I am from Michigan (and plan on coming back) but am currently working in Virginia, and all the hospitals I have called have been out here.

I job shadowed twice at Univ of MI. They make it really easy since they have a website set up to sign up and the HR person calls you in a couple of days to set up a date. I also shadowed at Oakwood in Dearborn. They don't advertise it but I met them at a job fair and asked and they said just call them to set up a day/time. I also think Detroit Medical Center does job shadowing too. I think I saw it on their literature somewhere. However, not all hospitals in MI do. I asked at Botsford in Farmington and was told they don't do shadows because it is a liability issue. If you have a hospital affiliated with a university in Virginia that may be a good place to ask. Or, if you could make a trip to MI, you can do one at U of M. If you explain that you are from MI, currently in Virginia, and will move back to MI, U of M may let you do several different areas the same day.

Here is U of M's website for Shadow a Nurse http://www.med.umich.edu/nursing/shadow.htm

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