Embarking on a Journey of Compassion and Excellence: Clinical Rotations at Johns Hopkins School of Nursing

The Johns Hopkins School of Nursing offers nursing education where students in the MSN Entry into Nursing program will transform from passionate individuals into skilled and compassionate health care professionals. As you step into your nursing and health care journey, you will immerse yourself in academic, simulation, and clinical experiences designed to maximize your growth and success. You will work closely with world-renowned faculty and dedicated health care teams to provide advancements and interventions in nursing education, research, and clinical practice. Each clinical rotation ensures you achieve learning outcomes related to the following:

• Clinical Competency to develop and refine your skills through hands-on practice in diverse healthcare settings;

• Critical Thinking to enhance your ability to make informed, evidence-based decisions in complex and dynamic situations;

• Interprofessional Collaboration to learn to work and engage in multidisciplinary settings, fostering a collaborative approach to patient-centered care;

• Cultural Competency to gain a deep understanding of social and cultural factors that influence health in various communities;

• Professionalism and Leadership to cultivate these qualities while advancing your career and health care overall.

During the MSN Entry into Nursing program at Johns Hopkins School of Nursing, students participate in various clinical settings designed to provide comprehensive, hands-on learning experiences. In the Integrated Clinical Management: Common Health Alterations rotation, students encounter patients with various acute conditions, honing their skills in managing common health issues. The Chronic Health Alterations rotation focuses on long-term care, where students learn to support patients with ongoing health challenges, emphasizing continuity of care and patient education. In the Complex Health Alterations rotation, students face more severe and multifaceted health problems, developing advanced clinical judgment and critical thinking skills. The Psychiatric Mental Health rotation offers insights into mental health care, allowing students to work with patients experiencing a range of psychiatric conditions and to understand the importance of mental health in overall well-being. Population and Public Health Nursing exposes students to community health initiatives, emphasizing preventive care and health promotion across diverse populations. The Nursing the Child-Bearing Family rotation provides experience in maternal and newborn care, from prenatal to postpartum stages. The Child Health rotation focuses on pediatric nursing, where students care for children from infancy through adolescence, addressing acute and chronic conditions. Each clinical rotation equips students with the skills and knowledge necessary to excel in various nursing specialties and to provide holistic, patient-centered care.

MSN Entry into Nursing Student Clinical Experiences

Zahra Rangwalla is a current MSN Entry into Nursing fourth-semester student who has gone through most of her clinical experiences. Zahra’s clinical rotations provided her with a comprehensive and enriching nursing education. At Sinai Hospital’s Ortho and Trauma Unit, she began her journey by mastering foundational nursing skills such as head-to-toe assessments, bed baths, foley care, and wound care, which helped her become comfortable interacting with patients and their families. Her experience at Johns Hopkins Hospital Weinberg 5B in the Oncology and Leukemia Unit was more advanced, where she developed a keen interest in Oncology, caring for three to four patients per shift and overcoming medication administration challenges. The Psychiatric Mental Health rotation at MedStar Harbor Hospital’s Behavioral Health Unit was her favorite, thanks to the passionate and knowledgeable nurses and a supportive clinical instructor and group, which made engaging with psychiatric patients a rewarding experience. Finally, at Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center’s Labor & Delivery and Postpartum Units, Zahra found the experience eye-opening and impactful, witnessing life-changing moments such as a vaginal birth and two c-sections, all while being inspired by caring and dedicated nurses. These diverse experiences have profoundly shaped her nursing career.

Hikmat Abou Shahla is a fourth-semester MSN Entry into Nursing student and has completed most of his clinical rotations. Hikmat’s clinical experiences were diverse and enriching, starting with foundational skills in Medicine B at Johns Hopkins Bayview, where he learned head-to-toe assessments, vitals, patient feeding, and simple care techniques. He advanced his skills in administering medications and managing chronic diseases, building confidence in clinical decision-making. His exposure to complex patients and specialized units deepened his understanding of critical care and interdisciplinary collaboration. Hikmat’s favorite rotation was in Child Health, solidifying his passion for pediatrics and inspiring him to pursue Pediatric ICU positions. The Nursing the Child-Bearing Family rotation emphasized cultural competency and adaptability in labor and delivery settings. In Population and Public Health Nursing, he conducted vision screenings in an elementary school, highlighting the importance of preventive care. Finally, his transformative experience in Psychiatric Mental Health taught him the value of empathy, active listening, and holistic patient care, demonstrating the profound impact of compassionate care and meaningful connections on patient healing and resilience.

Vihangana Bopearachchi is a third-semester MSN Entry into Nursing student and has completed several clinical rotations. Vihangana’s clinical experiences were both challenging and rewarding, starting with the nerve-wracking yet confidence-building rotation in Common Health Alterations, where she learned vital skills and the importance of thorough documentation. Her favorite placement was in the Transplant Unit at Johns Hopkins Hospital, where she witnessed the transformative power of medicine. At Waters Towers, an elderly residence, she enjoyed the continuity of care in geriatric primary care, finding the joyful resilience of the residents humbling. Initially skeptical about pediatrics, her rotation at Kennedy Krieger Institute, a rehab hospital, was one of her best experiences, offering holistic care that improved her clinical skills and demonstrated the profound impact of compassionate, comprehensive care on families.

While these experiences highlight students’ clinical rotations in an in-patient and hospital setting, students can also engage in community clinical settings through the OUTside track. If you are more interested in learning about this track, please check out this information on our blog: The Outside Track – Johns Hopkins School of Nursing.

The Johns Hopkins School of Nursing is committed to advancing nursing education by providing numerous opportunities to expose students to diverse experiences that shape their standard of patient care. The clinical rotations you will experience as a student will provide you with hands-on experience to develop the skills necessary to thrive in the nursing profession. The diversity of rotations – from acute care to psychiatric health and public health – ensures that students graduate with a comprehensive understanding of patient-centered care. The Office of Admissions is more than happy to connect with you and speak more about these experiences and the opportunities you will have for your clinical education.

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Admissions Talks is a series by the admissions team at Johns Hopkins School of Nursing. Hopkins nurses are full partners and leaders in the health care process, and their role in patient care is unmatched. The admissions team is here to offer advice and guidance on how to be a competitive applicant. 

Admissions & Financial Aid at the Johns Hopkins School of Nursing

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