I have just finished my second week of residency! My placement was bittersweet. I was placed at my #1 pick at UCSD CVC ICU. As many of you may know by now, I am extremely interested in critical care. My preceptor works on night shifts (1900-0730) and I am a morning person. This was quite a difficult lifestyle change to make in such a short amount of time.
A post on some tricks and tips I have picked up on managing nightshift will come soon! I am still figuring out what works for me personally, but I will be sure to post all the recommendations I have received.
How to Land your #1 Residency Pick
At APU, residency is apart of the program. We are lucky enough to have great relationships with many hospitals in the area. There are many different units and locations to choose from. They vary each year (slightly), but if you are not seeing something you like on the list. Talk to your instructor and see if she can make something happen 😉
Alright, so how did I get the highly coveted UCSD Cardio ICU position? To be honest, it was half luck. The instructors sit down and work it out so everyone gets one of their top 5. This takes some strategy and may result in some not getting their 1st pick so that everyone gets on in their top 5. Know who the instructors are that decide residency! Make your passion and work ethic known! I am very verbal about my passion for critical care. I also maintain excellent grades and work hard every time I am on the floor. Be your biggest advocate that you can leave as little up to chance as possible.
Also, know that Peds, ED, and ICU positions are the most preferred among students. There are only so many to go around. If you do not get your first pick, do not be disappointed. Make the most of it. You will still have plenty to learn. More importantly, plenty of people to network with. Sharp happens to love APU students. If you can get a residency position on any unit at sharp, it is likely they will hire you on as a new grad.
If you attend the school that does not include residency in your program, do not fear! Many hospitals offer externships you can take while in a nursing program (ex: Kaiser, UCSD). Research hospitals in your area and find out what externships are available to you!
How to Make the Most of Residency
How can you make the most out of your residency?
- Invest in good compression socks and comfy shoes! You will be on your feet and you want to put as little strain on your body as possible. After all this isn’t normal clinicals anymore, you will be working the hours of a real RN!
- Always show up like it is an interview. YOU WILL BE WATCHED! If you are some one that works hard, seeks learning opportunities, and lends a hand wherever help is needed, they will want to hire you!
- Know your charge nurses and nurse managers!
- Come in early! I don’t digest report nearly as fast as my nurse so I come in early to see my assignment and browse the chart until my nurse gets there. This helps me be prepared and helps me plan for that first busy part of the shift.
- Take care of yourself! I make sure to get plenty of sleep before my shift. I drink tons of water throughout the shift, and always bring more food than I think I will need. If you need to run off for a quick bathroom break, to get a sip of water, or to scarf down a snack, don’t be afraid to ask. Also, I keep an energy drink (double shot espresso) on board in case I get the end of shift sludge.
- Make a list of things you want to see and do. Make this known to you nurse so they can do their best to seek out those learning opportunities. If another nurse has a patient needing a procedure or whatever it may be that you want to see, ask your nurse if you can pop in!
- Take notes! I kept a tiny notebook to write down things I would want to review later.
- Keep a residency journal! This will be very useful for when you need to answer situational interview questions when you land that new grad job interview!
- Leave a lasting impression. Don’t break the bank, but leave something nice for your preceptor(s). I would also leave a box of bagels or doughnuts for the floor!
- If you did all the above, your preceptor should be willing to write you a glowing reference letter. Don’t be afraid to ask!
Hi thank you for sharing with us! Congrats on getting the residency of your choice, I hope its going wonderful for you. I have a couple questions regarding APU residency.
How long is the residency? What areas can we get residency in (womens health, or public health an option?). Are you finished with classes and able to take your NCLEX now?
Thank you!
The residency is 7 weeks starting at the beginning of the semester. Once residency is finished, the school will send the necessary paperwork needed for us to be approved to sit for the NCLEX. Depending on how fast the BRN processes the paperwork, I could take my NCLEX as early as beginning of July!
There are not any residency positions available in women’s health or public health. If you know an RN in either area, you may be able to set-up a preceptorship with them through the school. This semester the options were: med-surg, PCU, ICU, ED, and peds!
Wow Bri! Thank you so much for sharing and creating your blog. It”s super helpful and inspiring. Congrats on all your work.
Blessings-
Hi Bri! How was your experience during the 5th semester mission trip? How long was it and was it worth the money? I am currently in the 4th semester of the same program as you and they are just now giving us some information about it so Im just curious. Thanks in advance!
It was honestly the best decision I ever made. I would highly recommend going if you are able to and can afford it. I used student loans to help pay for it since I was not working while in nursing school. I went to the South Africa location. I have also heard Vietnam was amazing too! I do not know much about the other locations. Hope this helps!
Hi Bri!
Hope you’re doing well! I recently got accepted to the ELM-MSN program in SD will be starting this Summer of 2021. I am super excited and stoked. I was looking at the curriculum and Clinical residencies seem to be online held during your 5th Semester of the BSN portion of the program. Is this true? and what about simulations, are they also held on the 5th semester or during the 1 through 4th semesters? I wasn’t sure since the rubric didn’t mention it in more detail than I would like to know. I just wanted to know when I’ll have to start doing my clinical rotations. Thank you in advance! Thank you once again for this Fantastic blog, it has helped my anxiety calm down, and am more excited for the future to come. Thank you.
Sincerely,
Elizabeth
For me, simulations were throughout the entire program. If I recall, each semester we had one and they were all in person. I know with COVId things have been different, but as far as I know, everything should be back in person in fall. Also, clinical residency should also be in person. I was assigned with a nurse at UCSD CVICU and pretty much followed her schedule for the semester. During 5th semester, the didactic portion was online, but it was just discussing what we had seen during residency and some tips for each other.
A little anxiety is normal and keeps you on your toes! You will do great!
-Bri