senior placement/soon to be new grad advice!

[erindalhousie]

Hi everyone! I'm a 4th year nursing student set to graduate this May. I've been reading posts on allnurses since I was an itty bitty 1st year lol! Anyways, I was wondering if you lovelies might help me out with some questions about senior clinical placement...

at my school, 4th year course work finishes up mid-late February, and is followed by a 10 week clinical preceptorship. In 4th year, students are able to request anywhere they'd like to complete this rotation at. I asked the course professor/academic advisor what she thought would be best (i.e., choosing placements based on the probability of being offered a job, choosing based on skills acquisition, or going with what you like). She said that since this is your last clinical placement, many students often choose a placement they know they will like, or haven't had the opportunity to experience before. I chose (and recently found out I've been approved for) my 10 weeks at a correctional facility near me. I did a 10 co-op at the same facility last summer (mental health last summer, this year will be medical), and absolutely loved it.

Just wondering if you guys can offer any advice to make this rotation as rich as possible... I chose this placement because I knew I'd like it/am interested in this kind of nursing. I was torn between this and a med/surg setting, as I'd really like to polish my skills. I won't get to practice as many of the skills in the jail, but I know I'll really enjoy my time there, just wondering if anyone out there chose a setting other than acute care/med surg for final rotation.

As well, any of you new grads or seasoned nurses who can offer me any advice as I'm about to step out into the real world would be SOOOO appreciated.

xoxoxo erin

[AZMOMO2]

Haha.. "really enjoy my time there".

Ok sorry, it does appear that the preceptorship there will be a bit limiting, but as long as you jump in and do what they allow you too, and look for any and all learning opportunities you can. The correctional nursing site on here is a great source of information for you to look over. They might be able to give you some pointers. You should do well with your placement.

[erindalhousie]

LOL "enjoy my time there" I actually laughed out loud... should have chosen my words more carefully haha. Thanks so much for your two cents.. it's great to hear from others about this kind of stuff. Will definitely look for all the opportunities I can while there. Thanks for pointing me in the direction of the correction boards, will ask around over there too. Thanks again for writing to me.. if you have any other advice you'd like to pass on, just let me know :)))))))