Student Extern Advice

[bulldoggurlie]

Hi guys, next week I start my first medical related job as a student extern. I'm super excited and nervous. I'll be working in the step-down unit of a level 1 trauma center. I was wondering if anyone could give me any words of advice about a stepdown unit or just advice in general. Thanks so much

[classicdame, MSN, EdD]

Good for you. There is a wealth of information in this area. Generally, they have patients on various types of monitoring, so you will get to learn ECG's and other valuable information. Probably have post-ops so you can learn dressing changes and IV management. Don't know what your state allows externs to do, but in my state they are unlicensed assistive personnel and cannot do IV's or various other nursing tasks. But tasks are the easiest part of nursing - what is difficult is learning to manage your time and to prioritize. Watch, learn and ASK QUESTIONS.

[bulldoggurlie]

Good for you. There is a wealth of information in this area. Generally, they have patients on various types of monitoring, so you will get to learn ECG's and other valuable information. Probably have post-ops so you can learn dressing changes and IV management. Don't know what your state allows externs to do, but in my state they are unlicensed assistive personnel and cannot do IV's or various other nursing tasks. But tasks are the easiest part of nursing - what is difficult is learning to manage your time and to prioritize. Watch, learn and ASK QUESTIONS.

Thanks for replying. I'm super stoked for it...I'm not sure what I'll be able to do. The schools in our area in conjunction with the local hospitals have a skills booklet and supposedly everything that we have been signed off on in our booklets we can do...but I agree that learning to priotize would be the greatest thing to learn. Thanks again