Almost Done - Except Sick

malenurse69, MSN, NP · Aug 21, 2014

My school has a three strikes you're out policy, but they do work around acute illness and immediate death in family cases. I guess each school is different

studentnursemon86 · Aug 21, 2014

I haven't been told about our policy yet: I'm sure I will when school starts on Monday.

Is there any way you can contact your dean?

I did that when I was in school for psychology and they let me make up work. We didn't have clinicals for that though, so maybe it was different then.

mrsboots87 · Aug 22, 2014

What you are experiencing is very normal for many, if not most, nursing programs. I know it is very frustrating, and I;m not saying it's right. But its just how it is, and there likely int anything that can be done to make up the missed time. Facilities only allow so many students on the floor for each rotation (generally 8-10, but it can vary). If your school already has the max number of students in each clinical group, then they legally cant send you with another group. Some schools allow you to make up on a different day if the facility allows for more students, or if they have it set up as a make-up day. Most schools do not have this ability because of how many nursing schools there are fighting for clinical placement slots. It sounds like your school is taking u quite a few slots as it is and likely doesnt have the ability to take any more of the facilities time, or they don't have a CI to cover an extra shift. At this point, all you can do is ask if there is any way to do a make-up, but be prepared to be told no because more likely than not, that will be the answer. As far as being told to just drop, as it could have been said better, unless you can make up the time, it wouldnt be bad advice. If you have even one more missed day for whatever reason (especially with flu season coming up), then you would auto fail. At that point it will count as a failed class and up to the schools retake policy on if you can readmit to that class again, and you will be inelligible for a refund for the semester. By dropping, you would get a refund, and would not have a fail which would afford you the ability to defer this semester. Ultimately it is up to you if you are willing to risk it.

In my program, there is not a set amount of time that you can miss each semester. But missing more than 2 would likely result in a failure for one of two reasons. Either you wont meet the clinical hour requirement set by the BON, or you will not have enough time to show satisfactory clinical profficiency in all required areas. In addition to that, missing the first clinical shift results in being dropped for the semester because it a facility orientation day and introduction to how student conduct patient care at that facility. So if you were attending my school, you would be required to drop and not have a choice of continuing on. Be thankful you are even able to miss. And to take it further, when I hit 3rd block (next semester assuming I pass block 2 this semester), you cannot miss any clinical time or you fail because the school is only able to get enough clinical time between OB/peds, and med/surg II placements to meet BON requirements. Missing any would result in inability to sit for boards so they just fail you for the semester.

I hope this works out for you, and I understand being frustrated, but schools have a policy for a reason. They can't just break it fro some students because where would they draw the line on exceptions?

Stephalump · Aug 22, 2014

I don't think you're being unreasonable fighting it. Graduating is definitely worth fighting for!

But remember...the rule is that you can only miss 16 hours. It isn't "You can only miss 16 hours unless you have a really good reason." So IF you can convince them to work with you, it's going to be because they feel badly for you and are willing to go above and beyond for you. Meaning: watch your approach. You aren't owed make up clinicals. People don't like entitled attitudes.

Whether or not you can make up clinicals probably depends on multiple things - if all the groups are full, they can't have another student. If the hospital will let your school use their facilities after your scheduled final week, if they believe in working with people or if they think it opens too many doors for "special circumstances."

Anyway, I'm sorry you're all holed up in a hospital instead of out here finishing school. That really sucks and it's definitely frustrating. I hope they come around and find a way to work with you!

Jenngirl34RN · Aug 22, 2014

My program doesn't have a set limit on what you can miss, just that if it is excessive enough that our clinical instructor feels you aren't meeting the objectives for the quarter you will have to drop. In cases like yours, or other very good reasons, if a clinical or two is missed we have to make it up by doing extra scenarios in the SIM lab. We can't make up with other clinical groups because the hospitals in our area are very strict about scheduling clinical hours, and the school has to let them know months in advance who is going to be there when.

I hope you get everything worked out, and I hope you feel better soon!

Backwardo · Aug 23, 2014

In my program, I know I'd be told something similar. We can only miss one day and we have to make it up at the end. There is no switching to the other clinical days. Our dean told us at orientation that if something emergent happens, she is sorry, but it is policy and it will be upheld no matter how dire your circumstance is.

Now, that's not to say I would give up. My approach would be to continue on (and not make a stink with my instructor or the higher ups) and make sure I do everything in my power not to miss another clinical day. You haven't been kicked out. Just keep working towards graduation.

windsurfer8, BSN, RN · Aug 23, 2014

"I just feel" doesn't mean anything. That is a good lesson to learn if you are going to be a nurse. No one cares what you "feel". They expect you to do your job which is school. They set in place rules and regulations to earn a degree and the opportunity to take the NCLEX exam. "I just feel" will get you nothing. Either do it correctly or don't do it. If you are to sick to do it correctly then do it when you are able to do it correctly. I have been a nurse 8 years and have a moderate amount of experience. My advice....be humble...be professional, and don't whine. Why do you care what the policy is at another school? What matters is the policy at the school you are attending. Same as when you are working. Different hospitals have different policies. When you are getting fired at hospital X they won't give a hoot if you say "but hospital Y does it THIS way". Good luck.

bagface · Aug 24, 2014

Windsurfer - I care because I'm on a committee that students give feedback to the college on policies that are developed each year. Several of us were handpicked from the beginning and we have made a huge difference in the current practices/policies that do exist. That's why I was CURIOUS as to other colleges and asked their opinions.

As someone who works in a hospital already in a very busy ER I know what professionalism is. I have been working for over 15 years at this point in my life. I know how to handle myself in a proper manner at this point in my career or I wouldn't have made it this far.

In the end they aren't able to work with me for my illness. However my doctor is FINALLY clearing me for school again with minimal restrictions so I'll be able to participate in clinical. Hopefully no more acute pancreatitis attacks are in my future!

NurseGirl525, ASN, RN · Aug 24, 2014

I understand your frustration, but this is a legal issue. You have to have so many clinical hours to sit for the NCLEX and to meet state requirements for graduation. Plus, if groups are full you cannot just make them up. I know your situation stinks, but if you have to drop, you do. Take care of yourself first. You cannot take care of other people unless you are well first.

SopranoKris, MSN, RN, NP · Aug 26, 2014

I'm sorry you're going through such a rough time. Pancreatitis is awful! I feel for you, it's miserable.

Unfortunately, your only alternative right now is to drop this semester and come back next semester. You're going to need time to recoup and if your school doesn't allow make-up time, there's really no other choice.

The program I'm in has no make-up clinical time whatsoever. We can miss one day with a documented illness, otherwise, we're required to drop and join the class behind us.

I know it sucks to have to wait, but you have to fulfill clinical hours and if they're not available to be made up, you're up the creek.

I sincerely hope you're feeling better soon!