Clinical placements are integral to a student nurse’s nursing education and are crucial to assessing their ability, confidence, clinical knowledge, and progression. Placement is the opportunity for nurses to take on new challenges within their chosen profession by working in practice areas they may not have previously undertaken.
They provide the perfect opportunity for students to gain experience and develop skills in different settings. Placements offer further opportunities for students as they can have rotations outside of hospital settings, allowing them to consider possibilities when seeking employment after graduation.
This blog has covered the top seven reasons why what you do in nursing clinicals will shape your future career.
Improve Your Hands-on Skills
It is required that students take placements during their training to give them experience in the ‘real world’. This will enable them to develop their skills and prepare for working under pressure, where they must make fast, accurate decisions.
If you are interested in improving your hands-on skills, the UIndy ABSN program will be a great choice. The accelerated program prepares you for a career in nursing in as little as 15 months and offers a high level of instruction and personal attention designed to give you expert skills. Students also have access to a dedicated clinical placement department, allowing them to develop their nursing skills in real healthcare settings.
Help Learn New Skills
Taking a placement is an excellent way of learning new skills. Although you may not expect it, many employers will be impressed by the fact that students have taken this time to learn new skills. Those who have completed placements will likely be considered experts in specific fields and more willing to take on new challenges.
Form Professional Connections
Often, students with professional connections get the best career opportunities, and placements are an excellent way of networking. Networking not only provides you with the chance to meet new people but also allows you to work alongside highly skilled professionals.
Discover Your Ambition
Although many students can determine their ambition during their time at school, others may need clarification about what they would like to do in their future careers. Taking a placement allows students an excellent opportunity to explore different options and gives them a chance to test out a few before finding one which they are particularly interested in.
Hone Nursing Skills
Although further training may be required after you have graduated, nursing placements give students a chance to hone their skills. They are often required to work under pressure and make fast, essential decisions, including determining what is going wrong with the patient and why they are not responding appropriately to treatment.
Nurses also promote general health to patients through exercise and fitness: they improve cardiovascular health, reduce stress, and weight loss. Placements in community healthcare settings help students develop their communication skills and teach them about promoting and maintaining health from the ground up.
See More of the World
Although most placements are conducted in hospitals, some nurses also decide to take jobs in other, more exotic locations.
It gives students a fantastic opportunity to see more of the world before settling down with a job at home. It can also help them change their mind if they still need clarification on their career path.
See Where You Fit In
Although students are usually clear about which career path they want to follow, there may be times when they feel the need for clarification on exactly how they fit in and what their role is.
They may also feel torn between taking up a particular position or waiting for something better. A placement can help them discover where they fit in and confirm that they are on the right career path.
Final Thoughts
Clinical placements are a great way to learn and get experience in the healthcare field. They are an excellent way to build understanding and discover what medical specialties you enjoy. These placements also provide financial benefits, meaning you can earn more than an entry-level position.
