Shadowed an NP and was let go

Nursing Students Post Graduate

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I'm a pre-nursing student taking pre-req's for GEPN and second degree nursing programs. I asked the hospital/volunteer coordinator if I could shadow an NP and they said that I could. I went through the whole volunteer process. I took TB tests, watched videos, signed patient confidentiality forms etc. THis is what the hospital does before they take on any volunteeers and anyone that want to do externships, shadowing etc. I shadowed a Women's Health NP for 2 hours and once they found out that I was not in nursing school, but was taking prerequisites, they immediately let me go because they said they take on students that is are in school or in a nursing program. I was so hurt and discouraged. Even though I had the opportunity to see her interact with 2 patients and to be let go because im not in a nursing program as of yet, saddened my day:o Maybe they felt that since I was just a volunteer, they were concerned about their patients confidentiality, but we signed that in the volunteer orientation. Well, on a positive note I got to see her interact with patients and I learned quited a bit about women care. This could be something I could write about in my personal statement. Everything happens for a reason.

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Specializes in Education, FP, LNC, Forensics, ED, OB.
Maybe they felt that since I was just a volunteer, they were concerned about their patients confidentiality,

they immediately let me go because they said they take on students that is are in school or in a nursing program.

You answered your own question.;) Your being let go had nothing to do with patient confidentiality; it was strictly because you were not in a nursing program.

I'm sorry you did not get to complete the process. Once in school, try again. Good luck.

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Specializes in ED, Pedi Vasc access, Paramedic serving 6 towns.

I am guessing this was about patient confidentiality and the fact that at this point there is no real reason for you to shadow an NP since you are not an RN yet. You should really be shadowing an RN first since that is your next step, as NP is a few years away for you it seems. Don't take there reaction personally as it was part miscommunication on their part as well it would seem. Good luck.

Swtooth

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Specializes in SRNA.
I am guessing this was about patient confidentiality and the fact that at this point there is no real reason for you to shadow an NP since you are not an RN yet. You should really be shadowing an RN first since that is your next step, as NP is a few years away for you it seems. Don't take there reaction personally as it was part miscommunication on their part as well it would seem. Good luck.

Swtooth

I disagree with the idea that there is "no real reason to shadow an NP yet." Anyone should have and can have the opportunity to shadow a variety of medical professionals, its just a matter of finding the right program to do so. This is the only way you can decide if your potential career is a good fit for you. The program I am in here in Southern California will let you shadow anyone (time permitting), RNs, NPs, CRNAs, and MDs.

I can only guess that perhaps the demand for your volunteer program is high and therefore they would like the students enrolled in programs the first chance to be able to do shadowing before non-students.

Don't get discouraged, keep it up, and in your next attempt be sure to understand all of their requirements. If their rules aren't stated explicitly, be sure to ask! :)

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I am sorry that happened to you. It should have been more clear in the begining so you did not have to spend all of that time preparing. Can you at least volunteer there?

I agree that you should be able to shadow NPs as well as RNs, and whether it is the "next step" is not a reason, as you are applying to a direct-entry program to be an NP. In fact the opposite is true--direct-entry programs want to see students that are familiar with the specialty and know why they are picking that specialty, not students that are interested in nursing in general.

Before applying to the direct-entry FNP program that I will be starting in the fall, I shadowed 2 FNPs, each for a full day, but in very different clinical settings. There was no problem with it, and all of the patients knew why I was there and were fine with it. Maybe if you can find NPs that work for a smaller organization you may have an easier time finding someone.

Best of luck!

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Wow, this situation really stinks.

I know Direct-Entry programs put a lot of emphasis on shadowing NPs and I guess this facility didn't get how important this opportunity was for you to get into a program!!!

As a Direct-Entry NP student I would recommend you seek out as many other volunteer opportunities in Women's Health as you can. Health fairs, Breast Cancer awareness, intimate partner violence events/groups, etc. If you are still in school see if there is a social work program near you that might be helpful in getting exposure to a group like Nurses for Newborns, or Postpartum support groups. A CNA job on a Med-Surg floor would also be an awesome exposure to nursing.

Turns this situation into lemondade by building a diverse portfolio of experiences so you can say in your application that you: "Shadowed an NP briefly, Worked on a women's health event, and was a student leader in such and such different ways."

This particular situation is frustrating, but your frustration/motivation could really work out in your favor in a lot of other really nice opportunities.

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