N4455 - Shadowing advice

commonsense · Sep 27, 2012

I started 4455 this week and have already made arrangements to shadow a nurse leader. I'm lucky: mine is one of those nurses who loves mentoring, and was very happy to take on the task of mentoring me.
Now my question is: is there anything specific that I should be looking to do in the shadowing experience? The assignment stated it should be three separate events, but the assignment is also wonderfully vague. Any guidance would be helpful.
Thank you in advance.

I'm in NURS 4455 along with you Meriwhen, I have the same concerns as well. I have already found the nurse leader I'm planning on following, but not really sure what I should do. From what I can tell we need to find three specific tasks which we can experience. I'm thinking delegating should be one of the tasks, then possibly finding a room for admission/discharge, not really to sure. Let me know if you find anything out or come up with anything.

LVNKrisRN2009 · Sep 27, 2012

I observed my nurse leader in communication, decision making, and delegation. I chose those three because you can observe all three in one day. Before my scheduled interview I reviewed the week#2 and week#4 assignments, so I could be well prepared for my interview.

Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN · Sep 27, 2012

I observed my nurse leader in communication, decision making, and delegation. I chose those three because you can observe all three in one day. Before my scheduled interview I reviewed the week#2 and week#4 assignments, so I could be well prepared for my interview.

I actually approached the assignment looking at the three events as events (e.g., planning meeting, P&P rewrite meeting, etc.) so you've given me a new perspective--thank you. Especially since my shadowing was cancelled since my nurse leader had to call out of work for personal reasons. I've also looked at the assignments before the interview so I think that went well--I ended up doing it over the phone.

The only thing we couldn't beat down was a set schedule (days and times) for observation, since the nurse leader called me from home to talk and didn't have access to their calendar, nor will they be in before the first assignment is due. Oh well, not much I can do about that but explain it the best I can.

2BlessedRN · Oct 1, 2012

Hey Meriwhen, I'm in the class too. Hopefully everything goes okay. I'm taking this class along with Hist 1312 and that class is driving me crazy.

Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN · Oct 2, 2012

I'm in HIST 1311 so I feel your pain :/

So far, so good in 4455. I'm doing well on the assignments right now, hopefully that will keep up.

2BlessedRN · Oct 14, 2012

I'm in HIST 1311 so I feel your pain :/
So far, so good in 4455. I'm doing well on the assignments right now, hopefully that will keep up.

How you coming along with week 3 assignment?

Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN · Oct 14, 2012

How you coming along with week 3 assignment?

Honestly...I haven't really started it. I read the book, did some preliminary research in my workplace's journal collection...but that's all I've gotten to do. I had a more than full week at work, then family was in town, then I had to wrap up everything in 1311 (thank God that's over today!).

2BlessedRN · Oct 14, 2012

Honestly...I haven't really started it. I read the book, did some preliminary research in my workplace's journal collection...but that's all I've gotten to do. I had a more than full week at work, then family was in town, then I had to wrap up everything in 1311 (thank God that's over today!).

I understand, 1312 finished today and I'll be happy with a "C". That class is crazy, I feel like an elephant has gotten off my chest. My manager and I worked on mines today. I just need to work on my PowerPoint.

Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN · Oct 14, 2012

I understand, 1312 finished today and I'll be happy with a "C". That class is crazy, I feel like an elephant has gotten off my chest. My manager and I worked on mines today. I just need to work on my PowerPoint.

So much for my hoping that 1312 is going to be better than 1311. Oh well.

Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN · Oct 14, 2012

The powerpoint is a beast: don't wait until today to start it. No wonder why they tell you about it in week 1 so you can start preparing. I should have started it earlier myself but I can't undo that...oh well. At least I got out the bulk of my draft yesterday so today is mostly improving and beautifying.

And these rubrics can get VERY redundant...but I remember more than one person at AN who took 4455 stating to follow the rubric exactly even if it seems like you're repeating yourself. Even the academic coaches (not all of which are good at answering questions--thank God I got the one who is!) state to work with the rubric alongside to make sure everything is addressed.

2BlessedRN · Oct 14, 2012

The powerpoint is a beast: don't wait until today to start it. No wonder why they tell you about it in week 1 so you can start preparing. I should have started it earlier myself but I can't undo that...oh well. At least I got out the bulk of my draft yesterday so today is mostly improving and beautifying.
And these rubrics can get VERY redundant...but I remember more than one person at AN who took 4455 stating to follow the rubric exactly even if it seems like you're repeating yourself. Even the academic coaches (not all of which are good at answering questions--thank God I got the one who is!) state to work with the rubric alongside to make sure everything is addressed.

I have no other choice but to start today. It doesn't seem like it will be that bad from looking at everyone else power points. I ripe something together real quick and I already have a little draft. Hopefully I want be up all night.