Question for RN's

preceptsky · Aug 23, 2011

I have these posted in the nursing student forum, but I would like some perspective from those already in the nursing field. I copied and pasted my questions from two threads into this one.

Question 1:

Hello, I am starting my final semester of my ADN program. During my first rotation (5 weeks) I will be precepting. As an assignment we were asked to join a nursing network site and ask two questions. I have decided to ask two that I really want to know to help me improve and motivate me as a nursing student and hopefully transition into the role of a professional nurse. Our teacher has suggested we go to our preceptor with goals for the day. I know I will have goals such as time management, prioritization, working on skills, etc. I am looking for other ideas of goals that will help me show my preceptor that I am motivated and that nursing is something I am compassionate about. I want to keep good communication and professional relationship with my preceptor. I will be precepting at a hospital I am hoping to be hired at following the completion of my NCLEX exam.

In short my question is...

What type of goals can I set for myself so that I will be able to have an optimal learning experience during my preceptorship (working one-on-one with a nurse) of 108 hours?

Any suggestions will be appreciated. Thank you!

Question 2:

I am very involved in my student nurses association. I have been a class rep for 3 of my four semesters. I am also the the state chair for breakthrough to nursing. I focus first on my school work, but if I am not doing that, I am putting hours in planning, organizing, fundraising and volunteering at events. Myself and 3 others were co-authors of a resolution passed at the NSNA convention. Our instructors have started putting a weight on our involvement outside the classroom. In my first semester it was required to do at least one volunteer activity and attend one meeting. They dropped those requirements because they had heard employers were looking for what students did outside of their regular program requirements. I have gone beyond my school organization and am now working on becoming a member of the Red Cross DAT team. Over the summer I attended an ethics training and suicide preventions course where I recieved 6 CEU's and a certificate. Nursing is my passion and I enjoy all the activities I have been involved in. Our program has put a hype on what we do outside the classroom. Will volunteering my time and being involved with the community help to stand out to future employers? Are employers looking for people that will represent their hospital (or other agency) for professional organizations? Are there other organizations we can become a part of as students to help us stand out to future employers now that they are looking more toward BSN degrees and also hiring less often?

In general...

Are employers taking interest in the organizations nursing students are involved in when considering hiring new graduates?

Thank you for your response!