Preceptorship debate!!

[J.L.Harper3]

Okay, so I have a debate regarding my preceptorship;

Here's the background-- At my school, senior nursing students must do 64 hours in a hospital shadowing a nurse and working independently as well. We have several hospitals to choose from. I am debating whether to go to a small on-campus hospital or travel to Pittsburgh to UPMC Magee.

The pro's of the on-campus hospital are;

1. It's convenient. A short drive means less money spent on gas.

2. Free parking.

3. Familiar environment.

4. Similar hospital to a hospital in my home-town I may very well apply to.

The con's:

1. Unlikely that I would learn as much than if I went to a large hospital (Magee's)

2. No desire to work there in the future

Pro's of Magee's

1. Likely that I would learn more

2. Small possibility that I may apply there in the future

3. Learn my way around that side of Pittsburgh

4. Stay with a close friend I don't get to see too often (lives in Pittsburgh)

Con's:

1. Unfamiliar environment that I will probably get lost in

2. About 2 hours away

3. Parking expenses

4. Inconvenient with scheduling

A bit more information; this is for an adult health II clinical rotation so I would probably choose emergency department as the unit. (There's also CCU, skilled care, telemetry, ICU). I work as a nurse's aide on a maternity unit and would absolutely love to be an RN in the same environment so acute care isn't exactly my preference.

So, should I go for the better learning experience (even though I don't want to be that type of nurse) or the convenient experience and get my hours done faster??

Thanks ahead for any suggestions!!! I would appreciate anything, even similar stories and what helped you choose.. or if anyone is familiar with Oakland Ave. and UPMC Magee.. advice??

[MissCharlieRN]

Hey there,

I actually work in Oakland about a block from Magee. On top of working in Oakland, I'm also doing my rotations at UPMC Presbyterian, which is about a block or two away from Magee. Going to Magee will probably be a great learning experience, however, money will become an issue. The UPMC parking garages charge $22 for 8 hours and above, and I have inquired about a parking discount for students and there is none. What will your hours be? Since I work in Oakland at a place that has a free parking lot, I may be able to help you park for free (but I will have to ask my boss first) if you are interested. My whole clinical group parks at my job because we're all broke students that can't afford the large parking fees.

As far as the environment being unfamiliar: I moved to Pittsburgh 2 years ago and had no knowledge of the city. Oakland isn't that hard to figure out, but I would avoid Downtown Pittsburgh like the plague. Yikes.

You can PM me or something if you wanted more info about the parking situation.

[J.L.Harper3]

Wow.. thanks!!!

That is so nice of you to offer the possibility of a free lot! I'll PM you if that's going to be my final decision.

We have to do a total of 64 hours. Once the nursing department tells us if we got our number one pick we'll receive a copy of the nurse's schedule we would follow so I'm not totally positive of the hours. But the possibility of paying $22 (minimum!) for an 8 hour shift and having eight 8 hour shifts.... $176!!! And that's not even taking into account the gas money to get there :/ No thanks! That pushes me a little more toward the smaller hospital.

[melmarie23, MSN, RN]

if its only 64 hours, I'd go for the better experience of the two.

My preceptorship is 400 clinical hours! If that were the same case for you, I'd stick closer to home. Luckily the hospital I am in for mine is literally a 5 min drive from my house.