Published Jan 28, 2011
TheCareerStudent
235 Posts
Hi Everyone,
I hear some debate among upperclassmen about their Preceptorships.
I have been told that you should go to Med/Surg for your Preceptorship because that is where nurses should start out to get a good foundation and a lot of student nurses land their first jobs from Preceptorships.
Then I heard that you should go to a unit you are interested in, even if it is not a unit you would necessarily get hired in as an entry level nurse, for the experience.
I have awhile until I get to this decision, but I would still love to hear how and why you chose, what you chose for your preceptorship and what you think about your decision?
I hope this thread helps out some other nursing students like myself too! :)
TheSquire, DNP, APRN, NP
1,290 Posts
You don't have to start out in med-surg. If that's not what you want to do, don't sign up for it for your preceptorship. While I didn't get a job out of my preceptorship, I did get a job elsewhere in the same field - having done a preceptorship/clinical internship/role experience/whatever your school calls it in a specialty field looks really good on a resume/cover letter when you're selling yourself as a new grad.
Thank you for the feedback. My ultimate goal is Oncology and I would really like to go there for my preceptorship but I am not sure if it was a good idea.
turnforthenurse, MSN, NP
3,364 Posts
I wanted the ICU and unfortunately I didn't get it, so I precepted in a cardiovascular surgery/vascular care unit/telemetry unit instead - basically an ICU stepdown, but all cardiac (along with other comorbidities). Overall I loved it and learned a lot!