Aaron McNee has recently been hired as an RN at Kootenai Health. Here is some insight into his career path and advice for those considering a career in nursing.
What was your education path to get to this point?
I started at the University of Idaho where I received a degree in microbiology. I have always loved biology and wanted a career that would allow me to flex my knowledge in science! While going to school I was working in research labs, but I was not fully satisfied with what I was doing. I started taking an interest in the medical field and I had an advisor suggest I become a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA). I received my CNA license and began working as a CNA. From that point on, I knew I wanted a career in patient care, as it was something I truly enjoyed doing. After gaining experience as a CNA, I applied to nursing school and it landed me here where I will start my career at Kootenai Health in only a few months!
Why do you want to work in health care?
Again, I love science! When I first began my educational journey, I knew I wanted to do something involving science and biology. It wasn’t until I became a CNA that I discovered I loved patient care. Nursing is the perfect blend of both, allowing me to learn about disease processes, pharmacology, anatomy, and microbiology, all while getting to care for people. Nursing is a career where you are continuously learning. Science is constantly evolving with new discoveries and medical advancements coming out every day. This is why I find health care so exciting and am excited to begin my career as a nurse.
How valuable has your time training at Kootenai Health been?
My training at Kootenai Health has been extremely valuable. I started here as a CNA in 2021 and am now working as a nurse apprentice. I have also worked clinical rotations on nearly every unit within the facility, allowing me to see the amount of energy that goes into providing safe and quality patient care among the different departments. Most recently, I completed my 120-hour preceptorship in the critical care unit where I learned so much about the importance of effective communication, prioritization, time management, and how to provide safe and efficient care. The experience taught me how to be more detail oriented and how to adapt in stressful situations. After every clinical experience at Kootenai Health, I came out feeling more confident in my abilities. I am thankful for all the training I have received here.
Have you worked at other hospitals? If so, what sets Kootenai apart?
I have not worked at any other hospitals, but I think that goes to show how much I enjoy working at Kootenai Health. From what I have seen in my time working here and throughout all my clinical rotations is that Kootenai Health thrives when it comes to interdisciplinary teamwork and communication. All departments share a common goal of ensuring that every patient receives safe and quality care, and they all work together to ensure that goal is met.
What are your long-term career goals?
One thing I appreciate about nursing is that there are several opportunities for continuous learning and professional growth. I would like to work as a critical care nurse where I can work with complex patient cases that provide me with opportunities to deepen my understanding of various disease processes and treatment modalities. The critical care setting is also an excellent place to enhance skills in multidisciplinary collaboration, working with experts that can broaden my clinical perspective and enhance my ability to provide comprehensive care. After gaining experience, I would like to continue my education to become a nurse practitioner where I can provide more advanced healthcare services.
What are some of the ways student nurses can get the most out of their time with their preceptor?
Before every clinical rotation, set goals for the day and make them clear to your preceptor. What clinical skills would you like to practice? Are there specific disease processes you would like to learn more about? What medications would you like to familiarize yourself with more? In my experience, when I let my preceptor know my goals for the day, they would actively try to find experiences for me that would help me meet my goals. By setting goals and making your preceptor aware of them, it ensures that you are not missing any valuable learning experiences. Additionally, don’t be afraid to ask questions! I feel that many students are afraid to admit they don’t know something, and then leave their clinical experiences having not learned anything new. Many times preceptors are unaware of what you do and do not already know. If they discuss something with you that you are unfamiliar with or would like more information on, do not be afraid to ask. Clinical rotations are a time for professional growth and learning, not a time to flex what you already know. Asking questions and admitting when you don’t know something helps you get the most out of your time with your preceptor.
What is one thing you wish you knew starting your nurse education journey?
Not everything is black and white. Every patient is unique and will present with unique circumstances. In the classroom, I learned about specific disease processes, presenting symptoms, what the lab values would look like, treatments, etc. It is all very black and white, and straightforward. Then, in the real-life clinical setting, I would be assigned a patient with a disease process I just learned about, and nothing matches the notes I took in class. This was hard for me to comprehend at first! It is important to be adaptable and understand that every individual we encounter brings with them a unique combination of medical history, social factors, and personal preferences that influence their healthcare needs and outcomes. These nuances can’t always be captured in textbooks or classroom lectures.
Do you have any advice for nursing students getting ready to start nursing school and/or clinical rotations?
I think the best advice I can give is to embrace feedback. Constructive feedback from instructors and preceptors is invaluable for your growth as a nurse. Embracing feedback demonstrates your commitment to continuous learning and improvement. Instructors and preceptors have years of experience in healthcare and their feedback is most often designed to support your learning journey. Approach feedback with an open mind and use it as an opportunity for improvement.
