UMB BSN Program

TakeTwoAspirin, MSN, RN, APRN · Jun 19, 2008

Are you asking about which elective you should pick once you are a NS at UMB, or which elective will get you noticed in order to get in to UMB? Sorry, but it's not clear to me what you are asking for.

Same for clinicals, are you asking which sites are best/worst, what the actual experience is like....?

If you give us more info, I am sure we can help you out.

Froggy_Jess · Jun 19, 2008

Sorry. I am a current student in the BSN program and just thought I might be able to get some advice from an upper level student about which electives are interesting, informative, and not rediculously work-intensive. As for clinicals, I would like to know if there are any sites or instructors that you would recommend for Adult Health. Any other tidbits of advice would be welcomed also. THANKS!!!

TakeTwoAspirin, MSN, RN, APRN · Jun 20, 2008

Froggy,

OK, this is my best advice but it may not be what you want to hear.

You don't normally do your elective at UMB until your senior year. By that time you will/might have a better idea of what you want to specialize in once you graduate. I suggest your elective be based on your career goals rather than the fact that one course might be easier than another. If you want to opt out, I hear that the "cultural" elective is somewhat easier. However, if you want to go into ICU, ER, etc., you had better take critical care and suck up the fact that it is a little harder! The recruiters will want to know why you didn't if that is where you want to practice.

As far as clinical locations go, I think you should consider looking at clinical experience as an opportunity to check out hospitals where you think you might want to work once you graduate. You will get a very good idea of how the place operates from a clinical rotation. Very many hospitals in Maryland are now looking for new grads to sign a 2-year deal where you owe them time - or money if you bail. I know of several people who hated where they work but couldn't get out because they couldn't buy out their contract. If you look at clinicals as an opportunity to check out prospective employers you may save yourself some problems down the line. Regardless of what you hear on the rumor mill, UMB has very good clinical sites, and very good CIs at all of them. Dont' get caught up in a 'I must go to X clinical site or I will be devastated' mindset. The system for registering for any of the clinical sites means that you may not get into where you want to. Just accept where you are placed, and make the best of it. The clinical experience will very much depend on what you make it. Some of the CIs may be tougher than others, but in the end you will probably learn more from them than the 'easy going' ones.

I guess what I am saying is, surrender to the system a little bit and go with the flow. You are attending a VERY good school, and you need to have the mind set that you are going to do what you have to do to get through.

Feel free to e-mail me if you have any other questions, and good luck.