Clinic training and practical experience of working in healthcare are essential for student nurses. These activities allow students to put their newly acquired skills and knowledge into practice in a safe, secure way. Although they will often be working with real patients, they are practicing under the leadership and guidance of licensed nurses and physicians. These early tastes of clinical work are also useful when it comes to shaping a nurse’s future in the profession, as they may discover a talent or a passion for a certain field of medicine that they go on to pursue later in their career.
University nursing education courses are vital when it comes to preparing students for their licensing exam, and the challenges they will encounter once they start work on a ward. In previous years, qualifying as a health worker was difficult for working people who wanted to switch jobs and follow a career in nursing. However, today, good academic providers have developed programs that are more flexible and cater to the needs of a wider range of students.
Why is practical training essential for student nurses?
Practical training is an educational opportunity for student nurses, in much the same way as their classroom learning and coursework. It is an essential part of the curriculum, not just because they get to practice their skills alongside medical experts, but also because they meet patients. They observe how people behave and how procedures are carried out in the busy, sometimes chaotic environment of an ER department or standard ward. These experiences teach them what they will be facing and how they might react when it is their turn.
Furthermore, practical experiences nurture the critical thinking skills that every nurse needs. Nurses are working at a time when the healthcare system is changing rapidly, in terms of the roll-out of new technology and the number of patients who have access to care through Medicaid. As a result, nurses must hit the ground running, to a certain extent, and be ready to adapt to new situations and workloads. At university, reading through case studies, taking part in problem-solving activities, and experiencing simulations, means nurses develop a range of crucial skills. These include the ability to respond appropriately, even in a high-stress scenario, to prioritize their workload, and to think critically when tackling a problem.
People with a degree in another discipline and considering the benefits of ADN vs BSN might want to explore the online accelerated BSN program at Holy Family University. Students are taught how to implement interventions and evaluate nursing technologies through a blend of clinical experiences and classroom learning and can graduate within 14 months. At this point, they will be ready to apply the practical training they have received to diverse real-world situations.
Gaining a fully rounded education
Practical experience ensures that trainees meet the requirements of the course, as well as cover all the competencies and learning outcomes that are expected of them. This is useful when it comes to taking their licensing examination and ensures they can move smoothly from training to employment once their studies are complete.
In a real hospital ward, student nurses also learn about the US medical system, the diverse range of roles that are on offer within it, and the learning opportunities they might consider. They will also gain insight into the unpredictable nature of real-world clinical settings and how collaborative approaches ensure professionals can support each other across disciplines. This, in turn, will teach student nurses that their colleagues will value and support them when necessary, and that they should be ready to do the same for others.
Working alongside professional clinicians on the ward
Working alongside mentors in this way is not just about learning the ins and outs of medical care; it is also a valuable lesson in building partnerships and working as part of a team. Furthermore, with the help of their more proficient colleagues, student nurses can start to look at the learning opportunities that will serve them best. They can seek out experiences that allow them to fill gaps in their knowledge and explore these in a practical context.
Finally, practical training allows nurses to work on their personal, as well as professional development. They can improve their interpersonal skills, reflect on what went well and what they need to practice, and request feedback to get a second opinion on their performance.
Gaining experience in the field through internships
Internships can be completed in many different areas of the healthcare system and are an essential aspect of a nurse’s education. Unlike other forms of work experience, an internship can be completed while a student is working towards their nursing degree or after they have graduated. They are available in various medical environments, from clinics to hospitals and research institutes, as well as pharmaceutical companies and nonprofits. They allow student nurses to demonstrate their skills and meet professionals who are already working in their field of interest. Moreover, an internship that is completed in the nurse’s area of interest looks impressive on a CV, as it shows they already have practical experience in the role they are applying for.
Like any other practical experience, internships allow students to learn more about medicine in a real-world setting and improve their skills. These programs are offered to students in hospitals, research labs, and clinics. The idea is for the student to observe a range of different procedures and events that contribute to their learning. As well as watching, the students will have the opportunity to ask questions and carry out tasks appropriate to their level of expertise — although these will always be completed under the watchful eye of a qualified professional.
Practical skills are some of the hardest to master and they cannot be refined from reading a book or attending a lecture. An internship provides the ideal chance for students to learn more about completing a type of treatment and build their confidence. Moreover, these skills will help a nurse stand out from other applicants when they apply for a scholarship if they move into a higher qualification. They can add these experiences to their resume and will be ready to speak about them if they are invited to an interview.
Learning the importance of cultural competency
Hospitals welcome patients from across social, economic, and ethnic spectrums. This means nurses need to understand and practice cultural competency. On an internship, students will start to learn more about the different people who seek help in hospitals, so they can eventually provide quality care for all. They can work on improving their communication skills with people from different backgrounds, help improve each patient’s health outcomes, and contribute to a better, more inclusive healthcare industry.
Some internships will be based in facilities within underserved communities. Working for these hospitals or clinics will show students how certain patients and communities are struggling to obtain quality care. When student nurses understand these challenges, they will be better placed to suggest or develop strategies that foster a more fair, inclusive, and equal system in the future.
Forming connections and networking with colleagues
During internships, student nurses are exposed to many new experiences and situations. These can take them by surprise, or even feel overwhelming at times, but they will always be supported by their colleagues. The qualified professionals that students work alongside are experts in their field and this means they are useful people to connect with.
Students who work on building a network while training could find it easier to get a mentor or track down the most attractive job opportunities once they graduate. Moreover, they will also establish a valuable network of friends, many of whom will remain close throughout their careers. Some students will be lucky enough to be on an internship with a nurse on their course, and that means they can support each other through months of study and preparing for the licensure exam.
Understanding the importance of self-care
By spending time in a busy ward, listening to patients, and collaborating with colleagues, student nurses will find their communication skills soon improve. However, these interactions can also lead to a better understanding of themselves and a degree of introspection. This can help student nurses appreciate the importance of managing their mental health, practicing self-care, and ensuring they get adequate rest at the end of each shift. This is how healthcare professionals avoid suffering from the kind of stress that might impact their ability to carry out their jobs effectively.
Exploring interests and considering future specialisms
The medical industry is vast and offers endless opportunities for ambitious nurses. Internships are a useful way for students to explore fields that they are interested in and discover areas they may not have known about previously. Internships also give students a chance to work in different departments of a hospital and serve various sections of the patient population in diverse settings.
From pediatrics to the ER room and oncology, students can ask to move between departments to view how things work in various wards. In each place, they can shadow the physicians and nurses who work there every day and find out whether it might be a pathway they wish to follow. In taking the time to explore a range of different areas of medicine, students can learn more about their interests and preferences. This can be useful when they are deciding about their future in the industry and the area they will concentrate on.
As well as hospitals, students can find a placement in a private practice or a clinic, whether these are in a rural, suburban, or urban location. They could find that they prefer practicing in one setting compared to the others they have tried, and consequently will have a better idea of where they want to work after graduating.
Learning how professional healthcare workers manage their workload
During internships, nurses and other medical trainees work with industry professionals who have become experts in their specialty. Students can learn a huge amount from these people about coping in stressful situations, managing anxious patients, and working under pressure. Nurses will gain a deeper understanding of how to act in an emergency, and how to reassure a patient and build a relationship that inspires their trust. Having medical practitioners around to set an example and offer guidance can be incredibly inspiring. It encourages trainees to do their best and helps them to manage any feelings of doubt.
Getting ready for a professional position with clinical rotations
Clinical rotations are a key part of medical training for nurses and physicians. They ensure these trainees have a safe space in which to learn more about a specialism and care for patients in a hands-on way. As a result, the students can improve their level of competency in a range of areas and feel more confident in their abilities. These experiences are just the start, but they do represent the necessary groundwork for a successful career in the medical industry.
Rotations tend to take the form of shifts that are assigned to students at a medical facility that is close to where they live and are studying. Once they have completed the onboarding process, the students will be expected to work as part of a team or deliver supervised treatments, depending on the requirements of their supervisor. This could include assessing patients, reviewing lab data, or taking part in team discussions.
The end goal of a clinical rotation is to ensure the student can get a job in a field that interests them. The participating facility and the university will be in contact with each other during the process so that a student’s level of interest, work ethic, and abilities can be monitored. Rotations, like any other real-world medical experience, are also useful for students when it comes to finding contacts. If they do well, the trainee can ask one of the more senior practitioners that they have worked with for a reference or letter of recommendation. These can put them ahead of other applicants when a position becomes available, and it is especially useful if the student is chasing a role for which there is a lot of competition.
Managing atypical patients and reaching complex diagnoses
Rotations take students out of the academic realm, where they have learned from books and lectures. They provide trainee nurses with the opportunity to encounter the types of unusual and nuanced situations that their coursework is unlikely to have touched upon.
Real-life conditions and illnesses might not fit neatly into one diagnosis and students will be forced to test themselves and their abilities repeatedly. Instead of a simulation in which the variables can be controlled, in a hospital, the patient may have a unique set of symptoms that are specific to them. By tackling these more demanding cases, student nurses are better prepared to manage similar situations in the future and become more competent professionals.
Acquiring a positive bedside manner
When nurses foster a good relationship with the patients in their clinic or on their ward, they build trust. This, in turn, promotes better communication between the practitioner and patient and encourages compliance and can lead to better health outcomes. An effective bedside manner can also help a patient to feel calm, although they may be experiencing discomfort or anxiety over their treatment.
Clinical rotations are ideal times for refining the attitude a nurse has towards the patients in his or her care. It is about more than being friendly and putting someone at ease. Bedside manner in the context of nursing refers to empathy, having respect for the patient’s autonomy, and listening to their concerns. It also involves maintaining the confidentiality of each patient and practicing cultural competence. As part of their training, nurses can work on their bedside manner during every interaction they have with a patient. They can improve their performance in this area by showing empathy, practicing active listening, and trying to remain calm.
Maturing into the role of a medical professional
For people who are moving into nursing as a second career, getting onto a program can feel like the culmination of a dream. However, to find out which area of medicine they want to work in, to build a network of professional contacts, and to learn about life on a ward, experience is as important as theoretical knowledge. On placements and internships, student nurses will practice the skills they have been learning at university and begin to relate more effectively to the patients they are treating.
Over time, practical training allows nurses to develop professionally and personally, as it requires them to interact, communicate, and collaborate in an unfamiliar environment. Internships prepare the nurses of the future for a career in the medical world. Furthermore, these experiences ensure students understand what will be expected of them when they assume the role of a qualified practitioner.
