Does the Shadow know anything about nursing?

2 Whenever someone asks "I'm not sure about wanting to be a nurse", there is the inevitable "shadow a nurse" response. My question is can you really do that? I mean, can a complete stranger go into a hospital or clinic and follow a nurse around watching them do their duties? Wouldn't that violate all kinds of privacy and HIPAA laws? How do you explain that to a patient?

Last edit by Joe V on May 12
The only people that are allowed to shadow at my Institution are nursing students and nurses. A complete stranger off the street is not allowed to shadow.

We allow people to shadow. They have to complete a background check, TB must be up to date, and an agreeable nurse has to be found. They sign a HIPAA statement. Upon entering the patient's room, we say "...and this is Jane- she's shadowing me today. Do you mind if she's here, or would you rather her step out?" All of the hoops they have to jump through weed out all but the most serious candidates.

Very similar protocol to meanmaryjean at my hospital.

Quote from meanmaryjeanWe allow people to shadow. They have to complete a background check, TB must be up to date, and an agreeable nurse has to be found. They sign a HIPAA statement. Upon entering the patient's room, we say "...and this is Jane- she's shadowing me today. Do you mind if she's here, or would you rather her step out?" All of the hoops they have to jump through weed out all but the most serious candidates.

Quote from amoLuciaBOLDING IS MINE.Question - do your pts really understand what 'shadowing' is, or have they been just caught in one of those awkward situations where they wouldn't say 'no' just to be polite to you??? After all, you are a 'person of authority/responsibility' to their care.To OP - TY. This inquiring mind always wanted to know too.

I've had patients say no. But we're a teaching hospital, so they kind of come to expect various hangers-on.