A clinical placement is a pivotal and exciting time in a student’s educational career. It gives you the opportunity to put theory into practice and it’s where you begin to sharpen your technical skills. Not only could it lead to a potential job offer after you graduate, but it can help you figure out what you want from your profession, help you build a network of industry contacts and help you gain experience in an area which particularly interests you. New Brunswick University graduate Tom McRae offers his insights on how students entering into their clinical placement can make the most of it.
Discover Yourself
Often times students out of high school struggle to determine what they want to do with their life. It is important to discover yourself and pinpoint what you’re most passionate about. Once you’ve realized what interests you the most, you’ll be able to go after what you want successfully. For Tom, he struggled to determine what he was going to do directly after high school. He stayed close to home and enrolled at the University of New Brunswick. He was able to recognize his passion for the labs in the science program and later discovered himself in the Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Science program (BMLS). “The labs were my favorite part of any of the degrees or programs that I have been in”, said Tom, “if you enjoy lab work, the medical laboratory technology program is a great option.”
Put Theory Into Practice
After entering into placement, most students quickly realize that the theory learned can only prepare a them to an extent. It is the real world experiences that bring everything together. Essentially, a clinical placement prepares students for the volume of samples analyzed in a hospital setting. By putting the theory into a hands-on experience, it allows students to see how technologists work together and how each discipline relates to one another. Before entering into the clinical stage, Tom found that each discipline was its own entity. After taking part in a practical experience, he realized how much each discipline interacts with one another and how they all tie together. “Classroom experience can only prepare a student so much”, said Tom, “it is fairly different in the real world.”
Get Involved
Getting involved as much as possible can be a valuable asset. It can develop your confidence and abilities while showing that you are open to taking risks. “Don’t be afraid to ask questions”, says Tom. The clinical is very different from classes and asking questions is an excellent way to learn from the technologists. Getting involved might mean going above and beyond to help your coworkers. Make the most of any opportunity that will help you advance your experience.
Take Advantage of Great Opportunities
During your placement, keep your eyes peeled and your ears open for any great opportunities that might come your way. Shortly after finishing his clinical placement, Tom was able to obtain a summer job through the HealthCare Futures program. Each year, the Queen Elizabeth Hospital and surrounding areas hire several high school and university students interested in the health care fields to work in the hospital. “I would highly recommend this opportunity to new graduates or anyone interested in the medical laboratory field”, says Tom, “it gives students more experience in the hospital setting and it is a great summer job.” He is thankful for the program as it has allowed him to now gain two months of experience working in the field. Be aware of any opportunities that may come your way. Do some research and find out what prospects are available for new graduates.
A clinical placement will often require you to go beyond what you’ve previously experienced and challenge you to learn. It will lead you to growth and development and will prepare you for your future in the field. With many employers increasingly looking for experience as well as academic achievement for their positions, clinical placements can offer you plenty of benefits for progressing into your career. Regardless of how much you think you have learned about the field from your studies, you will learn so much information and acquire so many skills from a clinical placement. You can never really be ready for what a job entails until you have been working practically in the role.