Shadowing a Nurse
A Guide to Finding Your Purpose as a Nurse

Why Shadowing Matters

Shadowing health professionals is crucial for understanding if a profession suits you and for preparing to apply to programs. Doing this early in your education can save time, money, and stress. Nursing offers many specialties in various settings, each unique. Shadowing can help you decide if a specialty change is right for you and is valued by professional schools as it shows real patient interaction.

Benefits of Shadowing

1. Clarifying Your Fit: Shadowing helps you see if a specialty excites you or if you have reservations. For example, if you're interested in cardiac nursing, shadowing can show you the daily tasks, patient acuity, and technology used.

2. Experiencing Different Environments: Nurses work in diverse settings. Shadowing in a new environment, like transport nursing, helps you make an informed decision.

3. Understanding Patient Populations: If you're considering a move from an urban hospital to rural healthcare, shadowing a rural nurse can show you the population's needs and required skills.

4. Building Your Network: While shadowing, you can build professional connections. Follow up with a thank you and stay in touch via LinkedIn or at professional events.

5. Appreciating Your Industry: Shadowing helps you appreciate the work nurses do. Even if you decide to stay in your current role, the experience is invaluable.
   
   

Steps for Job Shadowing a Nurse

1. Define Your Career Goals: Understand what you want from a job and how it aligns with your goals.

2. Patient Care Preferences: Decide if you want direct patient care or a role without patient interaction. Consider the type of patient population you want to work with.

3. Preferred Settings: Determine the settings you're open to, such as hospitals, clinics, or home health.

4. Work Schedule: Decide if you need full-time, part-time, or PRN status. Consider shift lengths and flexibility.

5. Shift Preferences: Choose between day or night shifts, and if you're open to weekends or on-call duties.
   
   

Shadowing a nurse can illuminate your career path, helping you make informed decisions and build a network in the nursing field.