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Hi there so I thought I might kinda fill you in on picking a specialty! I am currently in my 3rd semester (doing L&D as a matter a fact) of 4 for my RN. Basically you do your clinicals wherever the school assisgns you...So you will get a taste of almost everything that nurses do. It usually consists mostly of med/surg which I am beginning to see that many students dont like and plan on doing a specialty (peds, icu, etc.) You could try to get a job or something at a women's center if you think that is what you want to do? In school you will probably figure out if it is really for you or not! Goodluck!
A lot of programs, especially BSN programs, are creating expanded clinical experiences for seniors in a given specialty. I'm familiar with one school that sends students to our NICU (and several other critical care units around town) for a 132 hour preceptorship as part of a high acuity course.
Many hospitals around here also hire nursing students (usually with a semester of clinicals behind them) as patient care assistants or nurse techs.
If you're in the pre-nursing stage, you might look at hospital volunteer opportunities to get some ideas of what is out there.
While it's true that nursing school does not train you as a specialty-prepared nurse, there are definitely options to experience a specialty before graduating and going out into the real world.
Ditto to the last two posters. I don't know how many ADN programs offer preceptorships, but seems like all of the BSN programs in my area do.
Research different programs, find out if they offer a preceptorship, what specialities it can be in, how many hours they require, and if you have an option to exceed that amount.
My program required a 240 hour senior preceptorship during our last semester, and I logged 300 hours during mine (in neuro/trauma/surgical ICU). It's a great opportunity to network and set yourself up for a possible job.
Good luck!
tampamomma
4 Posts
Hi everyone I am new. I am 33 and starting college for the first time in August. I really want to go into labor and delivery nursing. Please educate me on how I need to go about this. I know I need to go to nursing school but, how do you specify what area you want or can you even do that? I was thinking maybe doing my clinicals at a womens center to help get my foot in the door. I am feeling so overwhelmed at times it seems some guidance of would be great thanks!!