Wanting to Shadow in the Dallas Area

[jenna.holbert]

Hello all! I am currently a pre-nursing student and would like to get some shadowing experience under my belt this summer before applying to nursing school in the Fall. I want to go into pediatrics so I have been looking into shadowing at Children's Medical Center in Dallas or Plano. However, they will not match me up with any nurses. If anyone knows any nurses there that would be happy to let me shadow, please let me know! Or if anyone knows any tips on finding nurses at Children's to shadow that would be great too! I have a particular interest in the oncology department.

[raidergirl95]

It's really difficult to shadow someone unless you know a nurse that will give you the ok and access. That's the most difficult part is finding someone.

[Nurse SMS, MSN, RN]

You will not be allowed to shadow anywhere. HIPAA laws make shadowing without being licensed or an active student in clinicals or a volunteer who has undergone training and background checks an impossibility. Additionally, there is huge liability for security issues, especially in pediatrics. Huge risk for the hospital, violation of patient privacy and the only one to benefit would be you. No hospital will allow it.

[raidergirl95]

The hospital where I shadow made me go through an orientation, written test, background check ect. They usually don't allow shadowing in the OR or LD Floor but I know the nurses so that's how I gained access in those areas.