How student nurses can get paid work experience before graduating
Become an undergraduate nurse employee and jump start your career
By Lindsay MacKenzie
Winnipeg Regional Health Authority
Published Monday, October 17, 2022
Finding the right job after graduation can be intimidating and when it comes to healthcare, nurses often have many options to choose from when deciding where to specialize. Chao-Yu Hu is enrolled at University of Manitoba College of Nursing and is also a recent recruit to Manitoba's undergraduate nurse employee (UNE) program. This specialized job placement helps nurses connect classroom learnings to real-life experiences while earning a competitive salary to help with tuition expenses.
“The amount of autonomy and opportunities for a nursing student are incredible,” Hu said. “This is where I truly experience and see my lecture knowledge come alive."
Nursing students in their third and fourth years of study can apply for jobs in medical, surgical, mental health as well as in-patient rehab or chronic care environments and hours worked count toward seniority, building a competitive resume post-graduation. The working conditions are collaborative and students join interdisciplinary healthcare teams alongside supportive guidance from experienced registered nurses (RN) or registered psychiatric nurses (RPN).
"I build confidence when speaking with colleagues and learn more about the scope of practice for each team member," said Hu, who provides direct bedside care as well as safe medication administration and documentation as a member of the internal medicine team at St. Boniface Hospital.
She also does her part to improve communication between the clinical team, patients and their loved ones when throughout the cycle of care.
"It's another aspect I was not able to experience as much as a student," said Hu.
Following a patient's journey and progression of care, "trains our critical thinking, reinforces the importance of assessments, and most importantly, teaches us to trust our gut when something doesn't seem right."
Similarly, real-life working conditions expose students to the human-side of healthcare with all of its highs and lows.
"Every time I step into the room I like to know my patients as people and learn about their life stories," said Hu.
"I acknowledge their dignity and privacy by putting myself into their shoes."
There are good days and bad days, which are normal in any career, but healthcare is facing particularly difficult days ahead with an aging workforce and high levels of stress contributing to burnout. Hu is optimistic, however, and embraces these challenges with an attitude of teamwork and support from her colleagues.
"This position has taught me that asking for help, or asking questions about interventions is not a sign of weakness, but a demonstration of how much we care about the quality of our practices that ultimately affects our patients."
More information on the undergraduate nurse employment (UNE) program is found here. Certain requirements apply. If you are interested in learning more, contact [email protected].
