Greetings! My name is Daisy and I am a current junior here at Decker. Like many of my peers, I hope to secure an externship over the summer to gain experience and improve my skills in a clinical setting. The Decker Office does an amazing job arranging information sessions with prestigious hospitals through their NYC Connect Employer Treks. I had the pleasure of attending one at North Shore University where I engaged with the panelists, learned about the journeys of several Bing alumni working there, and even had the opportunity to tour the facility, including the newest building!
The information session provided insights into North Shore University’s externship application process and the expectations for their externs! Under the guidance of a preceptor, externs gain comprehensive exposure and understanding of the nursing field. They are also able to meet their wonderful team in their unit, witness first-hand how nurses collaborate with other healthcare professionals, and learn how to provide holistic patient care. A notable and unique learning event organized by Northwell Health is Wish Day! Externs from various locations come to connect with their peers and shadow a unit they are interested in or simply just curious about.
I loved my experience because I now have a deeper grasp of the internal and external dynamics of the facility, including how it looks and its core values. The hospital’s supportive nature and dedication to nursing growth were evident through the various certifications, further education pursuits, and leadership positions held by the panelists. There is a strong commitment to nursing excellence, dedicating efforts to provide quality patient care and a focus on the wellness of their staff. Lastly, the enthusiasm and warm smiles on all the North Shore Hospital staff ignited excitement within me as well!
The last part of this was an insightful and informative tour of the new building for the surgical ICU led by Senior Director Andrew Wong! Fun fact we were the first group of 10+ people to step into the elevators; they were so new that the wood frames were still visible! The building itself has several floors with innovative technology such as Hillrom call systems and Hybrid OR rooms embedded throughout. The one I found most fascinating was the use of scantron technology to “catch light” onto a patient’s bed during surgeries. You can even direct the light using a light wand!
In summary, I had a delightful experience and I highly encourage upcoming juniors to attend this event, along with the other engagements as part of Binghamton’s Employer Treks. A piece of advice is to come prepared with a pen and paper as you will be immersed in informative and interesting content! And always remember the abundant resources and immense support available from your peers, faculty, and staff at the Decker Office of Advising and Academic Excellence.
