Shadowing a nurse is a great way to gain insight into the profession of nursing and decide if it is the right career path for you. It provides an opportunity to observe and learn first-hand what being a nurse is truly like, and assess if this is the right career for you. Being a nurse is an incredibly demanding job, but one that is also incredibly rewarding. By shadowing a nurse, you can gain an appreciation of the skills, knowledge, and mindset needed to be successful in the profession. It will also give you a better understanding of the challenges and rewards that you can expect to face when pursuing a career in nursing. Additionally, you will get to experience the personal satisfaction of knowing you are making a difference in the lives of those you care for. It is important to take the time to properly research the role of a nurse, and understand what it takes to succeed in this line of work. By shadowing a nurse, you can learn firsthand the skills and mindset needed
Benefits of nurse shadowing
Being a student and following a nurse has many advantages. Here are a few of the most well-liked justifications for thinking about nurse shadowing:
Find your career path
A lot of students use shadowing to determine their career path, whether it be in nursing or another field. The experience of shadowing can support your decision to pursue a nursing degree if you enjoy the process and feel you have the necessary skills. However, shadowing can still help offer insightful advice and point you in the direction of a career that is more appropriate for your goals if you decide nursing isn’t the best path for your future.
Determine your specialty
Additionally, shadowing can assist nursing students in choosing a nursing specialty to pursue after graduation. You could train to be a family nurse practitioner or a neonatal nurse, for example. You have the chance to focus your niche through the shadowing process.
Create future opportunities
Ideally, you will develop a close bond with the nurse you shadow, which will open up networking opportunities for you. You can request a letter of recommendation to use for future employment opportunities if you carry out your responsibilities well and establish a positive working relationship with the nurse.
What is nurse shadowing?
The practice of a student observing a nurse as they go about their daily duties is known as “nurse shadowing.” When a nursing student works in a nurse’s shadowing, they usually do so while the nurse gives them direction and instructions. The student may inquire about the nurse’s daily schedule, job responsibilities, professional background, and other pertinent details.
How to shadow a nurse successfully
The following 13 steps will help you have a fruitful nurse shadowing experience:
1. Consider different nursing specialties
Make a list of your top nursing specialties if you want to observe nurses in action. Your objective is to find a nurse in a specialty area that interests you out of the many different nursing specialties available.
Common nursing specialties include:
2. Find a nurse to shadow
Find a nurse to shadow once you’ve narrowed down your list of preferred specialties. Initially, this task might seem difficult, but you probably already have a number of resources at your disposal:
3. Dress for the job
You should probably prepare for the experience once you find a nurse to shadow. However, the specialty determines your daily attire, so seek advice. In the nursing industry, comfortable shoes and scrubs are standard, but sometimes business casual attire is more appropriate.
4. Follow instructions
Its important to remember that youre a shadow. Your responsibility is to adhere to instructions so as not to obstruct the work of the nurses. Depending on the task, some instructions may be straightforward while others may be more complicated. By following these instructions, you can make the most of the experience while also enabling the nurse to do their job successfully.
5. Be polite and professional
It’s best to be courteous and professional when interacting with patients, nurses, doctors, and other members of the medical team. Although the healthcare industry can be stressful at times, professionalism is still crucial, and having a good attitude helps a lot in this line of work.
6. Follow regulations regarding patient contact
Since you lack medical credentials, you’ll probably need to abide by special rules regarding patient contact as a shadow. But if the nurse instructs you to, you can run quick errands like getting supplies or other simple tasks. You’ll probably be able to greet clients and strike up a conversation as well.
7. Adhere to safety guidelines
It’s crucial to abide by safety precautions because you’ll be working with the public. These could be as easy as washing your hands thoroughly, using hand sanitizer as necessary, and donning a face mask or other protective gear.
8. Ask questions
To better prepare yourself for the job, it’s important to ask questions throughout the shadowing experience. The majority of nurses are eager to share advice, describe their daily activities, and discuss the advantages and disadvantages of their line of work.
9. Offer help
Although you probably won’t be able to do any medical work, you might be able to help the nurse. They may ask you to get supplies, for example. With this, you ought to feel at ease asking permission to assist when it seems appropriate.
10. Shadow as much as possible
Ideally, you will spend more than one day observing a nurse. The majority of nurse shadowing programs last a week or longer. When possible, shadow as much as you can. Gaining insight is the aim, and the longer you shadow, the more you will discover.
11. Try different specialties
Once you’ve finished one program, look for a different specialty nurse to shadow so you can compare the two experiences. You can also watch other nurses as you work. You might watch the neonatal nurse if you’re shadowing a labor and delivery nurse, for instance. This can assist you in determining the best career path for you.
12. Express your gratitude
Consider sending a straightforward card of thanks once your shadowing experience is over to show your appreciation. A small gift may also be appropriate. Although many nurses offer to assist students, the additional work that comes with shadowing adds to their already heavy workload.
13. Stay connected
Through social media, email, or text messages, you can stay in touch with the nurse you are shadowing. Ask if theyre open to communication, then exchange contact information. Additionally, you can request a letter of recommendation, which can be helpful when applying for nursing jobs after graduation.
Day in the life of a DOCTOR SHADOWING an ICU NURSE for 12 hours
FAQ
What is shadowing in nursing?
The practice of a student observing a nurse as they go about their daily duties is known as “nurse shadowing.” When a nursing student works in a nurse’s shadowing, they usually do so while the nurse gives them direction and instructions.
What to do when you shadow a nurse?
…
Here are some steps you can use to find an opportunity to job shadow a nurse:
- Reach out to nurses you know. …
- Call local healthcare facilities. …
- Volunteer at a healthcare facility.
Is shadowing a nurse good for med school?
The benefit of observing a nurse is that you can use it to determine for yourself why you want to become a doctor rather than a nurse.
Can I shadow an ER nurse?
You might want to consider observing a nurse on a medical/surgical, critical care, or emergency unit. You’ll get to see a variety of medical cases and procedures in this way.
