Any nursging Schools affected by SARS

[Giggles]

This is my first posting. And I am sorry but I need to vent a little.

I am a second year nursing student in Ontario, Canada. With the SARS outbreak we are not allowed on the hospital wards to complete our clinical time. Which I am fine with I know they are taking precautions. The problem is that this is going to get worse before it gets better, we have three weeks left of clinical to do and today as far as I know all clinicals in Ontario are cancelled due tot he SARs outbreak.

Also, today we were told that any one who is working in the health care field needs to make a decision between school and work. That includes nursing teachers and students. I called the nursing coordinator today and asked her what I need to do to complete the two weeks left of school, she told me that I need to decided to work or go to school. Well I would love to do that except I have a mortgage and car payments to make so quiting work is not an option, so she is telling me that I may lose my whole year even though there is two weeks left. After speaking with her I put a call in to the Dean of health sciences (still waiting to hear back from her). My clinical instructer was also given this choice, she cannot take a leave of abscence to work at the college she said she would get fired and she has a family to support.

I was just wondering if any other students were being affected by this SARs outbreak and what your schools are doing for clinical for classes?

I know this is a serious illness but I think this is getting blown way out of proportion. I don't want to lose my whole year when there is two weeks left that is just silly.

[maeyken]

Today, they told us we don't have to do our nursing exams... cuz the library is in the hospital building, therefore we can't properly prepare or something...

Hey, works well for me! One less exam! For our marks, they're just making everything else worth more. Fortunately, I've been doing well in class. Otherwise, I think I'd be a little more ticked!

It is kind of frustrating to have done all the prep work in class and stuff for this exam, and not having it. But I'll get over that! In fact, I think I'm just about over it... I've go more important things to worry about now, like my microbiology exam! eek!

Anyone else's exams affected?

~ maeyken

[Giggles]

The college figured we were considered low-risk, so the only thing that is affected right now is our practicum. They are hoping that we will get into the hosptials next week. But I doubt al the students will get into the hospitals.

As for out exams we only have two and they are still on. Anyone who is working in a high risk health care setting are asked to write at a different time and location though because they are not allowed to come to school.

Giggles