[firstyearstudent]

At my school they're relatively easy on us, attendance wise, but our program might be unique in padding enough clinical hours into the schedule to allow two missed days.

Also, despite all the tough talk, I have found that the faculty and administration will bend over backwards to help students make up hours if they've proved that they're dedicated students and have a good excuse. Officially, of course, you're out on your a**. So it makes sense to not necessarily brown nose, but to at least keep it clean.

[fleur-de-lis]

Wow! I am grateful my school is not so strict. I was in the ER with severe abdominal pain on a Sun morning, thought to be gallbladder problem (was not thank goodness), but could not make clinicals Mon. Instructor said no prob. On Tues I showed up with severe nausea, and instructor let me get away with just writing up a hypothetical care plan then going home. No one wanted me to throw up on a patient!!!! Good luck everyone!

[moongirl]

Originally Posted by jov

I guess it depends on your school. My syllabus for fall specifically states: 1. In order to help safeguard both students and clients in the clinical practice settings, it is imperative that students notify faculty and consult with them about the following:

a) Any recent exposure to a communicable disease: i.e. Chicken Pox;
b) Any elevated temperature in the 24 hours prior to going into the clinical practice setting;
c) Pregnancy or any physical condition that might put themselves or others at risk.

The clinical instructor will then determine whether the students or client would be at risk if the student participates in clinical experiences.

I've seen our clinical instructor send people home with a bad cough and I certainly am confident I would not be asked to come to clinical with THE FLU, for crying out loud. I can't imagine any of my instructors demanding I come in while truly sick but then again, I come to clinical prepared, ask pertinent questions, demonstrate self-directed learning, etc. Perhaps that's the difference?

implying that I would NOT get kicked from the program with 2 misses if I was a perfect student- always prepared- A's on my tests- rave reviews from my pts, and my CI, is complete nonsense. Policy is policy. 2 misses and I am outta there, even if my name was Mother Theresa and my GPA was 4.0. Your policy says " consult them about the following" it does not say that you will def be excused, maybe you will, yay for you. My school doesn't work that way

[GratefulHeart]

Preparing emotionally, let's see -

1) Practice an attitude of gratitude in the face of stress. Life could always be worse, right?
2) When blindsided by disappointment and/or failure, repeat to myself "This too shall pass..."
3) Look around for someone else to encourage each day; don't forget that others are struggling too.
4) Follow the advice of my nurse mentor/friend: Just fake it til you make it (that is expect MANY moments of feeling clumsy and incompetent until nursing skills become second nature.).
5) Last on the list but first in priority: Read the Bible daily, pray, and listen.

[GratefulHeart]

O and one last thing - aim for competency versus perfect grades. I'm not shooting for straight As this time 'round; I'm shooting for a more balanced life along the strenuous journey. Success for me means nurturing relationships with my husband and kids while doing the best that I can with nursing school - not expecting nor striving for perfection.