Internships are a rite of passage for nearly all professionals pursuing a degree, especially for those studying online. However, for nursing students, the traditional “internship” translates into clinical work placements, where the clinical experiences gained by nurses provide essential insights that may improve their work with patients in the future.
Clinical experience is an excellent way to learn about working in health and social care in both clinical and non-clinical settings. It can introduce you to the skills required for a wide range of roles and give you ideas for where to start your career or where to go next. This means clinical placements are meaningful for both students just starting in the world of healthcare as well as established nurses looking to further their careers.
You’re probably wondering why a registered nurse would need additional work experience. Nurses hoping to advance in their careers may pursue further education, such as a nurse educator online program, which will allow them to take on more responsibilities and have a long-term impact on the nursing profession. With an online MSN-NE from an institution such as the University of Indianapolis, you’ll be well-equipped to educate nurses, influence quality healthcare and improve patient outcomes and community well-being. During your studies, a clinical placement will help you gain the experience to lead, teach and nurture the future nurses of tomorrow.
Clinical placements
Working and studying at the same time can be extremely rewarding and can open up doors that would otherwise be closed. Students are able to balance their work and study lives thanks to part-time study, distance learning, and supportive managers. You can make it work with a little planning, preparation, and some simple tricks.
Placement is possibly the most exciting aspect of any nurse training program. It is your opportunity to put what you have learned in the classroom into practice and match theory to experience. Placements are typically distributed throughout the course, beginning in the first year. Each placement builds on the previous one and should also correspond to some of the theories you’ve been learning in lectures.
Work experience is essential for advancing in any career. It can help you stand out in applications for courses, training and jobs. Work experience can be beneficial to people of all ages and at all stages of their careers. You can use your work experience to hone your soft skills. These are common skills that are not specific to any one job but are useful for many.
Experience
Ideally, you should seek to gain experience in a health-related field that interests you. However, any experience can be beneficial because simply being in a healthcare environment can provide you with an understanding of the work. If you’re considering enrolling in a nursing program, find out what kind of experience will be part of the graduation requirements.
Placement opportunities can differ greatly depending on the context, and no two placements are easy to compare. It is essential to recognize the differences between mentors and students, as each has a preferred method of teaching and learning. The key aim of work experience is to give students experience comparable to that of someone who is qualified in that position. It allows them to immerse themselves within that setting and get a feel for the role. They can practice what they have learned in the program under the supervision and improve their skills in preparation for certification.
You might be able to find a local mentorship program based on your specialty and geographic location. These programs pair students with experienced healthcare professionals. The student may have the opportunity to interview or shadow the mentor. A mentor can help by offering guidance and answering any questions you may have about the position. They could also write you a letter of recommendation for a future role.
Conclusion
Placements are an essential component of training the future workforce. Having a positive placement experience can significantly contribute to the development of student nurse competence, making them an asset to any healthcare organization.
Here are a few more ways that clinical placements will benefit nursing students. They allow you to:
- Find out which sector suits your skills and interests best
- Hone your skills in a ‘live’ environment
- Network for the future
- Develop your soft skills, such as compassion, listening and communication
- Confirm if this is the career for you
Clinical placements can be a challenge for students at first because the learning environment is very different from the classroom. It is a setting that involves potential risks, as well as complicated interpersonal and professional relationships. In addition, you’ll be required to make a variety of decisions in a clinical setting that will affect your patients. However, it is also the perfect environment to showcase all the skills and knowledge that you have picked up in the classroom.