Reported By: Reese Meno
The University of Guam offers a nursing program that prepares its students to take the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses. Graduates of this program are equipped with the knowledge needed to pursue a nursing career in various departments.
One of the last classes needed to graduate is NU418: Leadership in Nursing, which highlights the leadership role nurses take on in order to provide efficient patient care and positive work environments.
Students will then have the chance to practice what they learned from this course and apply them in clinical settings in NU419: Leadership in Nursing Practicum.
Leadership student, Rayel Batangan, is a senior currently assigned to shadow, Valerie Meno, the head nurse for the Labor and Delivery department at GMH.
“A day of shadowing may consist of visualizing and understanding our preceptors’ roles and responsibilities as a nurse leader. Examples of which include observing them as they conduct/attend meetings, make work schedules, handle conflicts within their unit, and do performance evaluations,” Batangan states.
The total required hours for the course consists of 36 hours, half of which is spent shadowing their assigned preceptors.
Students are randomly assigned to various health care settings, while others are assigned to Guam Regional Medical Center or the Department of Public Health and Social Services.
“An ideal situation for me would be able to observe my preceptor perform all of her duties as a unit supervisor before our practicum ends.” Batangan says.
She mentions that while the course is well structured, she would have liked more time shadowing her preceptor.
As these students prepare to receive their Bachelor of Science in Nursing, they are also preparing for future employment.
Batangan has already taken her National Council Licensure Exam, after receiving her associate’s degree in Arizona, so she has decided to take a break to give herself some time to decide whether to apply to GMH or GRMC.
“For the students who will soon be taking this class, I advise managing your time as efficiently as possible.”