Checklist for Preparing for Your Clinical Rotation
- mannysmorethanmed
- Nov 21, 2023
- 8 min read
Starting a new rotation is stressful. Change and new experiences are exciting, yet scary. Throughout my clinical year, I was on 8 different rotations in states varying from PA, to NY, to CO, to AK. Before starting each rotation, I went through the motions of making sure I was as prepared as I could be for that first day. I believe first impressions are so important, and that you should start your rotation (whether it's 2 weeks, 4 weeks, 5 weeks, etc) with your best foot forward.
Ways I would do this is by trying to eliminate as much of the unknown as I could. By knowing what to prepare for, you can lessen the stress and set yourself up for success. At first, I didn't realize I was creating a habit, but after a few rotations, I was able to see what things I was doing beforehand that honestly just made my life easier.
Below is a checklist that you can also follow to help set yourself up for success, too!
Two Weeks Out
1. Email Your Preceptor and Site to Introduce Yourself
Doing this sounds simple and that's because it is! Approximately 2 weeks out, make
sure to introduce yourself! It is helpful for sites and preceptors to be reminded you are
coming. By doing this simple step, you are already starting out by making a good
impression and showing you are responsible, outgoing, and prepared! In your email,
you can also inquire about whether it is appropriate to wear scrubs or if they would like
you to dress business casual. Feel free to ask any other questions you see fit in this
introduction if they did not already send you with general information about the site.
Below is an example of an email I sent when preparing for a rotation:
Good Morning, [insert name],
My name is Amanda and I am a second year PA student from Drexel University. I am an oncoming PA student that will be rotating at your practice from [start date - end date]. So far, I have completed my Women’s Health and EM rotations, and I am currently in my internal medicine rotation.
I am very excited to be working with you at [clinic location] in two weeks. Thank you for the opportunity.
Please let me know if there is anything you will need on my behalf in regard to documents/paperwork. If so, I will make sure to send them to you promptly. Additionally, please let me know if there is any specific educational material you would like me to review before the start of my rotation.
Thank you for your time. I look forward to working with you.
Sincerely,
Amanda Smith
Drexel University PA-S2
2. Complete Site Required Documents, Paperwork, and EMR training
It is important to send in all documents required for the rotation prior to starting.
Delaying the paperwork can delay important things like security approval, getting your
badge, and receiving your log on credentials. These things can feel tedious, but
worthwhile getting out of the way.
One to Two Days Before Rotation
1. Map Out Your Destination and Your Parking Spot
If you have the time to drive to your rotation the day before, I cannot recommend doing
this enough. Driving to your rotation will give you an idea of traffic patterns and how long
you need to account for to get to your rotation on time. Not only do you have to account
for driving time, but time to park and even walk to the site if needed. For example, if your
rotation is at a large hospital, you likely are parking in a far-away garage and walking.
This can be more time-consuming than you anticipate. Also, if you are at a site where
you have to find parking, that can easily add in 10-15 minutes of time. Not saving these
tasks til the day of will ensure you allow enough time on your first day not to feel like
your late and scrambling to get there on time. Remember, first impressions are
everything, and showing up late and frantic is NOT the first impression anyone wants to
give.
2. Meal Prep/Grocery Shopping
When I was on rotation, I always packed my lunch. Especially for my first week. This is
because on rotation, your site may not have food readily available (such as an in house
cafeteria or nearby restaurant). You don't want to be stuck at a site working 8-12 hour
shift without food. It is important to have food to take with you on rotation, but it is also
important to have an easy plan for food in the mornings and evenings before. First week
of rotations is stressful. Preparing with meals beforehand is just one thing you don't
have to think about, and will give you more time to relax and decompress from your day.
3. Pack Your Bag The Night Before
You never want to be rushing around in the morning before rotation. Rushing will have
your stress levels high before even going to rotation and can make for a very long day. If
you think rushing around in the morning trying to get everything together is stressful,
imagine forgetting something at home and not showing up prepared! I know I keep
saying it over and over, but plan ahead! It will make things so much easier, and your
future self will thank you! Pack your work bag with everything that you need. Things to
include in your work bag are:
laptop/iPad
sticky notes
pencils/pens
your username/password for EMR and other applications
planner
rotation specific books
snacks/gum
refillable water bottle
keys/wallet
packed lunch
4. Share Your Learning Objectives, Syllabus, and Procedure Log with Your Preceptor
Doing this will help them guide their teaching to what you need to learn. Seeing the
things you are to be learning will allow them to focus their attention on teaching you the
important things or take the time to discuss items you may not see while you're with
them. It may also make them more inclined to allow you to participate with certain
procedures, especially if they know there's a minimum you need to complete.
5. Make a Study Schedule/Plan for This Rotations EOR and Stick to It
By starting your EOR studying at the beginning of your rotation and not waiting until the
end, this gives you the opportunity to space your topics and make learning feel a
little bit more manageable. On rotation, you are busy being at hospital/clinic all day,
trying to incorporate self-care, making time for family, and then studying on top of that.
Making a study plan ahead of time will keep you on track, a little less stressed, and take
some of the thinking of "what do I need to study today" out of your lists of to-dos.
Halfway Through Your Rotation:
1. Ask For Feedback
Getting feedback will help you engage with your preceptor in a way that shows you're
willing to accept constructive criticism. Having this conversation with your preceptor will
help you grow as a provider, and shows you care about your performance. Doing this
halfway through gives you time to work on things, too, before your final evaluation is
due, and gives you a chance to show your preceptor what you've got before the rotation
is over, and your evaluation is done.
2. Bring the Topics you Keep Getting Wrong on Your Practice Questions to your Preceptor
Bring your wrongly answered questions to your preceptor. Doing this will show them
what you need help learning and can help preceptors teach you the big idea topics you
may be struggling with. I'm sure they remember a pneumonic or two from their days as
a student that they will be willing to share with you. I personally did this on my rotations,
especially if we had down time, and made my questions toward my preceptors
based around these concepts I needed more help with. This helped me truly understand
the information which made learning it easier, instead of just trying to memorize it to get
the test question right.
3. Start Prepping For Your Next Rotation
That's right, time to prepare for what comes next. In this part, you will repeat the
recommendations previously mentioned in the portion of this checklist labeled "Two
Weeks Out". Staying on top of all the paperwork will make a big difference so you are
not cramming to fit in everything last minute when you want to be studying for your EOR
within the next few days.
Your Last Week of Rotation
1. Write a Thank You Card
I am BIG on a handwritten thank you card. Yes, you can always write an email after the
fact, but it is less personal. Take the time to show them your appreciation by writing a
thank you! Often, preceptors will keep them and hang them at their desks, or offices will
hang them in the break room. Leave the office/preceptor/clinic/team with a positive way
to remember you by! You can go on Amazon and buy thank you cards in bulk, for cheap!
2. Bring in a Sweet Treat
My last day of rotation, I always brought in a sweet treat. You don't have to bring in
anything that will break the bank. You can bring in donuts or Munchkins from Dunkin, a
bag of candy, pre-made pastry from the grocery store, or even something you made
yourself! This is a simple gesture that everyone enjoys, that shows your appreciation!
Again, a great way to leave a good lasting impression.
3. Remind your Preceptor of Your Evaluation
If your program is like mine, your evaluation is a good chunk of your grade, aside from
the EOR of course. Preceptors are busy and if you leave a site before the preceptor is
able to fill out the review, it is likely going to take longer for you to get it back! The last
week, politely remind them it is due, and if it is still not done on your last day, make sure
you remind them again!
4. Network, Network, Network!
This cannot be stressed enough. You never want to leave a site with a bad impression.
During this time at the rotation, you should be networking. If you are interested in
working at the site or even the specialty you are rotating at, do not hesitate to let them
know. You can bring them in a copy of your resume, and often they will hold onto it for
when you are about to graduate. Additionally, if their site is not currently hiring, they may
know another site in the same specialty or healthcare system that is hiring. They can
pass along your information along with a good recommendation, which will take you a
long way. My current job I am working in is because I rotated with them as a student! It
can be a common way for new grads to get jobs. Take advantage of this opportunity!
Also, if there is a provider you work with that you think will be a great letter of
recommendation for when you are applying to jobs, get their contact information, and
ask them if they would be willing to write a job recommendation. You can start collecting
these recommendations as a student and will make your life easier when applying. If
you are open to working in different specialties, having a letter of recommendation from
each specialty you are applying to will look amazing! I was asked to apply to the
you can see, it is never too early to start networking, even if it's the first day of your first
rotation, ever!
I hope this is helpful and sets you up for success on your rotations! My fellow PAs and current PA students in their clinical year, what other pointers do you recommend, or habits do you follow to make your life easier in clinical rotations? Share in the comments!
XO,
Manny
❤️
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