Jan 21 2008
The more perspectives, the better
In response to my post last week, a classmate offers a slightly different take on this quarter. It also seems that s/he had different information. (Thanks for chiming in, fellow MEPN!)
In response to question #1: There has been a lot of misinformation passed around, especially when word travels so quickly. We were informed that the search for CI’s began last March, NOT during the Christmas holidays. The CI’s that were hired either went on maternity leave or flaked out at the last minute. No one could’ve predicted that it would come to a head like this. It is an unfortunate situation, but our wonderful professor, superstar that she is, has worked around the clock and pulled strings so that all of us (regardless of our clinical placement) can get some inpatient peds experience.
As for question #3: We were also told the peds course was not designed for every student to be on the floor every Thursday and Friday. That would make it physically impossible because we would be tripping over each other. The observations at the day care centers, the community health clinic, in urgent care, etc. are not “distractions.” They’re intended to provide us with a holistic view of peds nursing, giving us a sense of taking care of children in different states of health.
Keep in mind that this course is only 6 weeks long (and we’re at the half-way mark). There is only so much you can learn even if you were to be on the floor every Thursday and Friday. Let’s try to stay positive.
Any further thoughts on the clinical experience? What has the schedule been like more recently?
Have you been hearing from prospective MEPNs as they go through the interview process? I’m wondering if UCSF is getting tons of questions about clinical instructors in this round of interviews when they haven’t had as much interest in the subject before. I’m curious how UCSF feels the effects of your blog. Any idea?