BRTC RN Students Attend Clinicals as AR Children’s Hospital

Madison Littlejohn, Krystal Wagster, Falisha Jackson, Tiffany Williams, Brittany Cole, Kendall Nunn, Jarah Jones, Kayla Coates, Samantha Drew, Alexis Edrington, Ashley Jones.

Instead of working in labs on campus, BRTC nursing and allied health students actually visit hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, and other medical locations on a rotation basis.  These “clinicals” give students hands-on experience in the hospital setting under the close observation of a working nurse, respiratory therapist, doctor, or other medical professionals.

As part of their clinical curriculum in pediatric nursing, BRTC’s registered nursing (RN) students attended a clinical day in Little Rock at Arkansas Children\’s Hospital.  Students were able to fulfill one of their pediatric rotations where they assisted helping care for children with a variety of serious pediatric illnesses.  “This clinical experience gave the students hands-on experience with some of the most critically ill children in the state,” said Amanda Junkersfeld, BRTC Nursing Clinical Site Coordinator.

 

Even though they usually work at Children\’s for 12-hour rotations, this clinical is usually one of the students’ favorites.  The illnesses and activities to which they are exposed at Children\’s are difficult to simulate in the simulation lab.  Further, most students will not see these situations at general hospitals and clinics, so these rotations are very important exposure for nursing students.

The BRTC Foundation always assists students with expenses for this trip.  It is generally an overnight stay and students have long days which prevent them from driving home.

For more information about BRTC’s nursing program, contact Dean of Nursing and Allied Health Jason Linam at 870-248-4000 or jason.linam@blackrivertech.edu.