Capstones: A Look Into the Process as a Nursing Student
Written by Kaylee Zukowski
Every hospital that invites USJ students to learn is what we consider a clinical partnership, and this is where capstones (or our next rotation) come in. The clinical partnerships requests that USJ find out where the seniors want to be for the spring semester earlier so that they may be able to get us in. We fill out a form that asks where we work (if applicable), where you live, your top 3 choices of where you want to go for capstone, and top 3 choices of what hospitals you would want to work at. If there was more information that you wanted to include, there was some space in the margin where you would be able to write anything on your mind. You also had to sign the bottom of the form, stating that you know that what you wrote for placement is not guaranteed and that the staff are not responsible if you don’t receive your top choice.
They also let us know that our schedule and hours depend on the hospital, unit, and if you are paired up with a mentor. For example, as an intern over the summer, I was paired up with one nurse. I followed their schedule and did 12 hour days. This is an option as a student in capstone. However, if you do 12 hour days it seems that you still have to space them out throughout the semester, as they do not want you to complete clinical before the others. The program is built so that it will take you the whole semester, hence why you would have maybe one day of 12 hours each week. The schedule that you are able to do also depends on where you are located. Those who are placed in certain places like the OR will have only 8 hour days, due to cases slowing down at that point, but you can sometimes convince the instructor to stay a little later. If you are placed on a regular nursing floor you could have the long hours or short hours, depending if it is the preceptor or instructor guided, as I stated before.
Another thing to be aware of is that some rotations, like maternity, will only be half of the semester and you will most likely be put onto a general medical-surgical floor for completing course objectives. I was surprised when I got the OR for the whole semester, but so excited! In that aspect, maybe the schedules are different. It really seems to be a case-by-case basis on what is allowed for the capstone rotations. Something to also be aware of is that you are representing not only USJ but yourself! Make good impressions and be willing to learn! If you want to work at the clinical site, you will have to display yourself in a good light. They won’t hire someone that was not working hard or was not setting a good example. Also consider the future when you are looking at these clinical placements; do you intend to go further and get your APRN? Do you want to become a CRNA? Certain jobs require different experience, do your research!
Throughout the on-coming months, Nora, the clinical director who determines your placements, will send you different hospitals/specialties with different applications that you have to do to get in. If it is a hospital you wish to attend, follow the directions on the application and you could be considered for a placement there. She also will send a forum that you fill out with your class schedule as other semesters later on in the break.
Photograph acquired by Kaylee Zukowski
