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Emely Garcia, a recent nursing graduate, remembers her clinical rotations at Ochsner as the foundation for her nursing career. Each day started with a morning huddle, where students were assigned to work with a nurse for the day. This gave them hands-on experience managing patients and working as part of a healthcare team.
“I had really good experiences with all of the nurses at Ochsner,” Emely says. “They were eager to teach us and were always there to answer our questions.” By being paired with a nurse throughout the entire day, Emely got a true sense of what it means to be a nurse, learning how to balance multiple patients and maintain high-quality care.
Learning the Essentials: Time Management and Communication
One of the most important lessons Emely learned during her clinical experience was time management. Working on the med-surg floor at Ochsner Medical Center – New Orleans, she saw firsthand how nurses often had up to six patients at once. “It was really beneficial to observe how they handled their workflow, juggling different diagnoses and medications,” she explains.
Beyond time management, Emely learned the importance of effective communication. During her rotations, she saw how nurses are key to patient care, providing clear answers and explaining procedures to ensure patients feel informed and supported.
“Communication is different when you’re a part of the healthcare team because patients look to you for answers,” she notes. This experience gave her the confidence to interact with patients and families.
Support from Experienced Nurses and Mentors
Emely felt extremely supported by the nurses and staff during her clinical rotations. A key part of this support came from the way nurses would gather with students in the breakroom to share advice, personal experiences and encouragement. “Nursing school can be tough, but hearing from other nurses who had gone through it helped me feel like I wasn’t alone,” Emely says.
Several mentors stood out to her during her clinicals, including a passionate charge nurse. “Her dedication to nursing radiated off her. It really made me want to be just as passionate in my own career,” she recalls. These nurses helped shape her vision for the kind of nurse—and future leader—she wants to become.
Mitch Guillory: An Experienced Nurse and Dedicated Preceptor
Mitch Guillory, an RN with over 30 years of experience, has been a nurse at Ochsner Medical Center – New Orleans for the past nine years. As a seasoned preceptor, Mitch takes pride in mentoring the next generation of nurses. He remembers how critical his own mentors were when he was just starting out. “There used to be a saying that ‘nurses eat their young,’ but I was fortunate to have strong mentors who really nurtured me,” Mitch recalls. This experience shaped his approach to precepting, and now he aims to provide that same level of support to today’s nursing students.
Mitch serves as a preceptor for students from multiple nursing programs, helping them transition from the classroom to the clinical setting. “Nursing school teaches you about nursing, but it doesn’t teach you how to be a nurse,” Mitch explains. “That’s what clinical rotations are for—getting hands-on experience that prepares you for the real world.”
The Rewards and Challenges of Precepting
Being a preceptor comes with its challenges, especially when it comes to the limited time Mitch has with each student. “I wish I could have more time to help them grow,” he says. However, he finds great fulfillment in seeing students develop their skills. “The best part is when the light bulb goes off, and they really start to understand how everything fits together,” Mitch says. Moments like these make the challenges worth it, as he watches his students grow more confident and capable with each shift.
Mitch also appreciates how Ochsner supports its preceptors by providing the resources they need to tailor the learning experience. “If a student wants to focus on a specific skill, like starting IVs, I have the ability to adjust our day to make sure they get that experience,” Mitch explains. This flexibility allows him to create personalized learning opportunities for each student, ensuring they leave feeling prepared for their nursing careers.
A Great Place to Start a Nursing Career
Both Emely and Mitch agree that Ochsner is an excellent place for new nurses to launch their careers. Mitch believes Ochsner’s wide range of specialties offers invaluable learning opportunities. “On my unit, you get your fundamentals down in a safe environment, and because we’re a transplant center, you get to see cases you might not encounter elsewhere,” he says.
For Emely, Ochsner’s supportive culture and dedication to education were key factors in her decision to stay on after her clinicals. “The staff truly cares about helping you grow,” she says. With resources like the nurse residency program and a focus on continuous learning, Ochsner stands out as a place where nurses can build a strong foundation for their future careers.
At Ochsner, we’re committed to fostering a culture where nurses can learn, lead and grow. If you’re looking for a workplace that puts your professional development first, apply now to be part of something special. Explore nursing opportunities at ochsner.org/nursing.
