Where are some areas you worked for your final senior yr semester clincal experience?

[rainbowbright11]

(that you really liked)

I just don't like adult care med. surgery. I know it's a good experience (I did it last semsester, and hated it.) I knew the meds, am able to make connections and critically think, so it's not that I didn't know the stuff (and not that I don't always have more to learn...I know I do), I just HATED the run from room to room. Any suggestions for acute care experience for my final clinicals? I'm very much a people person and compassionate. I like time spent with patients and teaching them. I'm too scared for the ICU, though I think that might be a great experience (I 'm not nearly experienced enough for that). Suggestions/input greatly appreciated.

[LibraSunCNM, BSN, MSN, CNM]

My experience was probably a little unique, but for my final clinical (Leadership!) I was placed on an epilepsy unit, and it was one of the coolest experiences I ever had. Our school was sending all the Fundamentals and Med/Surg students to the regular floors, so for our final clinical we were in weird specialty areas like rehab, ED, and in my case, epilepsy. I learned a ton and saw even more, although the hospital I was at happened to be one of the best epilepsy units in the country, so people came from all over to be seen there. If you can find a specialty that interests you, find out if you can do your clinical there. Med/surg isn't for everyone.

[marilynmom, LPN, NP]

I did ICU for my last semester of nursing school (Leadership class/clinical) and I loved it and learned sooooo much. I went into ICU as a new grad and freakin love it. Yes there is a lot to learn and the learning curve is steep but it's well worth it.

For your last semester I would go with ICU if I were you. Even if you decide your not going to work ICU as a new grad. IN the ICU you will get really good with your assessment schools, seeing codes, seeing procedures at the bedside, all sorts of drugs, etc. so it's just good experience.

[NurseLay]

Dont be scared of the ICU setting. Like you, I hate med surg. I did my internship on a progressive care unit because I was scared of ICU and it gave me good experience, but ICU would have been better. So I worked as a tech on an adult ICU and loved it and since I was in my last year the nurses showed me and taught me a lot and I was able to get familiar with the ICU settings that way. Now I work in PICU as a new grad and I love it, although for me, floor was never an option. I like to learn and treat my patients, not just give them meds. I believe that certain people are ICU nurses and others are floor nurses, follow your heart and don't settle for what you know you aren't going to like or be happy with.

[beepeadoo]

This is THE time for you to do ICU! If you think you're scared of it, what better way to see what it's REALLY like than to be there for clinical... you'll still have the safety net of your instructor/preceptor and you can get totally immersed in what it's like to be in an ICU. I will tell you from experience (both Med/Surg and ICU clinicals) it has a lot in common, but it really is totally different!

Good luck, hope this advice isn't too late.

[MB37]

I spent all of my MS II in two different ICUs (we could rank choices, including various units, ER, and stepdown/tele). That got me exposed to it before I had to choose a preceptorship, which was nice - cut down on the fear aspect. At our school, you only got to choose a preceptorship outside of med-surg if you scored over a certain percentage on our med-surg HESI. I got my first choice, which was neuro ICU - not for everyone, but I loved it and learned SO much! Some people still chose med-surg, at least partially because what you learn there is more applicable to the NCLEX. Did you not get to spend any time in the units already? While in school you'll have the chance to learn, so it might not be a bad move. Otherwise though, what rotations did you like? L&D/PP? Peds? Psych? ER? OR (they wouldn't let us go there - you might be able to)? You could also try a stepdown or progressive care type of floor, where you'd only have maybe 4 pts (hopefully) instead of 6-8+ on med-surg - that can leave more time for teaching and talking without being quite as intimidating as the units.

[MikeyJ, RN]

I did PICU during my final semester and I absolutely loved it -- I learned so much.

[locolorenzo22, BSN, RN]

I wish I would have done some kind of clinic nursing...with educating patients...that would be different

[Bortaz, MSN, RN]

I've already starting brownnosing at my clinical site, trying to get into the PICU or NICU for my preceptorship. I haven't yet asked my wife to use her influence, but I'm not above doing it. :)