6 answers
Jessica
Student
Grundy Center, Iowa
3
Questions
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Should I work in a hospital in high school to see what it is like?
#nursing #hospital #highschool
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6 answers
Doc Frick
Career Coach and Mentor
1384
Answers
California, CA
Updated
Doc’s Answer
SHADOW A NURSE
Jessica you will get to work side-by-side a nurse and observe what they do daily on the job. This will help you decide if nursing is for you. If you are interested in this, I would contact your local hospitals human resource department and see if they have these opportunities available. These types of programs are usually offered to high school students during their senior year. Most hospitals are happy to oblige, since nurses are always needed and will be in more demand as years go by. A Shadow a Nurse Program may be for only a day or it may be for a week or longer. The length of program depends on the institution and availability of nurses they have to participate. If you want to shadow a nurse for a certain amount of days, make sure to discuss it with human resources before making a commitment to the program.
There are many benefits to a shadow a nurse program. You’ll have the opportunity to see nurses interact with patients and perform certain types of medical procedures such as administering medications, starting IV’s and changing surgical dressings. Many staff members will gladly answer questions and explain reasons for why certain procedures are performed. During the program, you’ll be required to wear scrubs or a lab coat which may be provided. You may even have to wear face shields depending on the type of unit you’ll be on. A day in the life of a nurse is a busy one. Shadow a nurse programs allow prospective nursing students to really see what nursing is all about. Hollywood tends to glamourize nursing as women and men with hair and makeup in place, as they’re portrayed taking care of the most challenging medical cases. Nursing is far from that. It’ hard work. You’re on your feet for many hours and will have to multitask different activities throughout your shift and then some more. Depending on the type of medial unit you’ll be assigned to, you may have to arrive anywhere between 6 am to 7 am. Nursing shifts are mostly 12 hours long, where nurses work three days a week. Some shifts are 10 hours and nurses work four days a week and very few are 8 hour shifts where nurses work five days a week.
Hope this is helpful Jessica
Jessica you will get to work side-by-side a nurse and observe what they do daily on the job. This will help you decide if nursing is for you. If you are interested in this, I would contact your local hospitals human resource department and see if they have these opportunities available. These types of programs are usually offered to high school students during their senior year. Most hospitals are happy to oblige, since nurses are always needed and will be in more demand as years go by. A Shadow a Nurse Program may be for only a day or it may be for a week or longer. The length of program depends on the institution and availability of nurses they have to participate. If you want to shadow a nurse for a certain amount of days, make sure to discuss it with human resources before making a commitment to the program.
There are many benefits to a shadow a nurse program. You’ll have the opportunity to see nurses interact with patients and perform certain types of medical procedures such as administering medications, starting IV’s and changing surgical dressings. Many staff members will gladly answer questions and explain reasons for why certain procedures are performed. During the program, you’ll be required to wear scrubs or a lab coat which may be provided. You may even have to wear face shields depending on the type of unit you’ll be on. A day in the life of a nurse is a busy one. Shadow a nurse programs allow prospective nursing students to really see what nursing is all about. Hollywood tends to glamourize nursing as women and men with hair and makeup in place, as they’re portrayed taking care of the most challenging medical cases. Nursing is far from that. It’ hard work. You’re on your feet for many hours and will have to multitask different activities throughout your shift and then some more. Depending on the type of medial unit you’ll be assigned to, you may have to arrive anywhere between 6 am to 7 am. Nursing shifts are mostly 12 hours long, where nurses work three days a week. Some shifts are 10 hours and nurses work four days a week and very few are 8 hour shifts where nurses work five days a week.
Hope this is helpful Jessica
Thank you Dexter for your continued support. When we change our thinking, we change actions, when we change our action we change our future.
Doc Frick
Sarah Hill
College Student at Wake Forest University
1
Answer
Winston-Salem, North Carolina
Updated
Sarah’s Answer
Hey Jessica! I know, because of the pandemic, it is really difficult to actually work in a hospital right now, but I think that exposure like that would be really valuable if you think you want a career within the hospital! Also, at a young age, it is more likely that you would only be able to get a volunteer position in a hospital or shadow people there on a more independent basis. I think that you should first try and talk to adults you know, who are in the field, about their experience and what it is like. After that you could ask to shadow them, if they know of any volunteer programs, or internship positions- they would have very valuable insight! Good luck!
Gregg Tiven
Manager - eDiscovery
26
Answers
New York, New York
Updated
Gregg’s Answer
Hi Jessica,
With any potential career, getting a feel for what it is like before you begin your education can only be a positive. You may find that working in a hospital inspires you to go into medicine. It could also give you ideas on medical professions you were unaware existed. On the other hand, maybe by working in a hospital you decide that that sort of life is not for you.
Long story short - take advantage of any opportunity to learn and experience. It is cliche, but the only things I regret in life are the things I did not do.
Good Luck!
Gregg
With any potential career, getting a feel for what it is like before you begin your education can only be a positive. You may find that working in a hospital inspires you to go into medicine. It could also give you ideas on medical professions you were unaware existed. On the other hand, maybe by working in a hospital you decide that that sort of life is not for you.
Long story short - take advantage of any opportunity to learn and experience. It is cliche, but the only things I regret in life are the things I did not do.
Good Luck!
Gregg
Cameron Diep
Clinical Research Assistant
56
Answers
Palo Alto, California
Updated
Cameron’s Answer
Yes! No matter what you are interested in pursuing in the future, I think it is extremely helpful to get first-hand experience in that industry. You will learn more about the tasks and environment of the job, and this will help you determine whether you actually enjoy and want to pursue that career.
Lindsay Kim
Dental Assistant
37
Answers
Seattle, Washington
Updated
Lindsay’s Answer
If you want to just see what it's like, shadow. You can see what the job is like as well as ask any questions. Typically when I shadow, the doctors tell me what they do, why they do it, their journey, and the defeats and triumphs of the job. They tell me everything and it helps me determine if it's something I want to do! If you do end up enjoying nursing, you can start working as a CNA at a hospital to get experience and improve your chances of getting into a nursing program.
If you just want a chance to see if the job is even right for you, contact nurses in the area and shadow. That'll give you the best exposure as a high school student.
If you just want a chance to see if the job is even right for you, contact nurses in the area and shadow. That'll give you the best exposure as a high school student.
Kei Mercado
53
Answers
Updated
Kei’s Answer
Hi Jessica,
During this pandemic, it might be a little challenging to observe because our medical frontliners are overwhelmed. My advice is, you can researching using online resources to get the information you can use initially. Second, you can also attend "talks" or forums where medical practitioners also talk about "a day in the life of a nurse or doctor" so you can see a glimpse of what they do on a daily basis. You can also reach out to people you and your family know who are in the same industry and interview them online.
Hope that helps! :)
During this pandemic, it might be a little challenging to observe because our medical frontliners are overwhelmed. My advice is, you can researching using online resources to get the information you can use initially. Second, you can also attend "talks" or forums where medical practitioners also talk about "a day in the life of a nurse or doctor" so you can see a glimpse of what they do on a daily basis. You can also reach out to people you and your family know who are in the same industry and interview them online.
Hope that helps! :)