Mature student trying to decide where to do my final practicum

turnforthenurse, MSN, NP · Jan 18, 2011

I would say do what you are interested in.

I understand you for not wanting to do med-surg but honestly that is a great practicum placement because you get a little bit of everything in med-surg.

I know a few students who wanted to do public health and they absolutely HATED their practicum placements. One student followed an oncology home health nurse who couldn't do anything because as a nurse, you have to have special training on administering chemo...so this student basically just observed :/ I also know that they do not hire new grads into public health positions - you need to have experience under your belt. I would advise not choosing public health as a placement.

I think they hire new grads into mental health, but I'm not sure. I know some students who did mental health for their practicums and they loved it. Then again, they are really interested in that field of nursing. Me, not so much. If I got placed on a psych ward I probably would have been miserable :lol2:

The ER is a fast-paced environment...once again I know students who were placed in the ER for practicum and they absolutely loved it, but working in critical care/the ER is something that they want to do.

Besides, if you're applying for say, a job in the ER and the recruiter sees that you precepted in the ER, that really helps when it comes to finding a job. If you're a good student and make a great impression at your clinical site, you might even land a job at that site. I've seen it happen.

I wanted to precept in the MICU/SICU sooooo badly but I got placed on a cardiovascular surgery/vascular ICU unit. It was critical care, with telemetry and a little med-surg mixed in. I really enjoyed it and learned a lot. I even got a job offer on the unit, but unfortunately I am moving in May and the hospital will not hire someone who will only be here for a few more months. I had to be honest, even though it would have been a great opportunity.

Good luck!

catwoman413 · Jan 18, 2011

melosaur,

Thanks for your thoughtful reply. You know how you said you would've been Sooo miserable if you'd been placed in Mental Health? That's how I feel about med-surg or basically anywhere in a hospital, to be honest. Those of us who want to be in community are very rare and kinda odd, I guess. I hear what you're saying about needing experience to work in public health, and that is probably true. As for the ER - I'm too old, basically. They like to hire really fast young things for that environment. And I'm told you won't get hired there without 2 years experience. Plus you have to take additional training. Urgent Care is a step down from ER, and it is outside the hospital.

I wish I was 20 years younger and had time to scout out the different areas, but I don't have that luxury. I need to figure out the best route to take. Thanks for your input!

turnforthenurse, MSN, NP · Jan 19, 2011

As for the ER - I'm too old, basically. They like to hire really fast young things for that environment. And I'm told you won't get hired there without 2 years experience.

Not true! One of my good nursing school friends is in her 50's and she precepted in the ER and LOVED it and did a great job! Everyone loved her including the nurse managers and they pretty much asked her to come work for them once she graduated and passed her NCLEX and everything! And she'll an entry-level RN.

catwoman413 · Jan 19, 2011

No kidding! Wow. That's very interesting. You've given me something to think about because I've always been interested in ER. Very cool. Thanks!

turnforthenurse, MSN, NP · Jan 21, 2011

No kidding! Wow. That's very interesting. You've given me something to think about because I've always been interested in ER. Very cool. Thanks!

Best of luck to you! :nurse: :redbeathe

Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN · Jan 21, 2011

I think they hire new grads into mental health but I'm not sure. I know some students who did mental health for their practicums and they loved it. Then again, they are really interested in that field of nursing. Me, not so much. If I got placed on a psych ward I probably would have been miserable ![/quote']
They do hire new grads into psych/mental health--that's where I started (and happily remain!). I'm not sure what job opportunities for community health exist for new grads.
I also agree that if you are interested in the ER and have a chance to go there for your practicum, then go for it! It definitely could help you get hired into an ER. Likewise for the mental health/psych practicum. Otherwise, med-surg will give you a lot of everything and a good base for entering many areas.

catwoman413 · Jan 21, 2011

Meriwhen,

Thanks for the advice. ER is sexy and I like to imagine having those skills, and be a hero in an emergency!! But, I am leaning toward Mental Health, and maybe Community Mental Health - best of both!

catwoman413 · Jan 21, 2011

Meriwhen,

What do you love about it? Do you miss not using your medical skills?

turnforthenurse, MSN, NP · Jan 22, 2011

But, I am leaning toward Mental Health, and maybe Community Mental Health - best of both!

If you have the opportunity to precept in mental health and that's what you want to go for, then by all means do so! Do whatever makes you happy :) As for community health, I highly advise precepting in it because of what I mentioned in one of my previous posts...and I do know for a fact that new grads cannot be hired into a community health position, except for maybe a clinic...my school has this "Center for Nursing" clinic available for patients who are uninsured. The same friend who precepted in the ER also has an interest in public health and also got offered a job at the Center for Nursing, but she doesn't want to work there lol. So in that sense, yes, you could probably get hired as a new grad but if you want to do something like hospice or home health (like a visiting nurse) you need experience.