Tell me about clinicals

bluesky, BSN, RN · May 4, 2004

I am getting a little nervous, even though I won't start actual nursing classes until Fall 05. My concern is clinicals and the hours we may be expected to be there. Do most of your clinicals run during the day, and do you usually know the schedule ahead of time? I have three kids who will be 12, 6 (almost 7) and 3 when I begin my nursing classes and clinicals.
My older two will be in school and possibly afterschool care, but I'm worried about finding reliable care for my youngest. He'll be in preschool but that doesn't run as long as regular school. If the clinical schedules are fairly predictable, I can deal. I'm just getting nervous about the whole thing. This is my dream and I'd hate to have to postpone it due to this :uhoh21: TIA for your replies :)

All my clinicals were 7A-3P or 7A-7P until senior practicum when I got some 11A-11P's and 7P-7A's. Due to limited resources, my program changed the day of the clinical (e.g. ooops it's Tues instead of Wed) at the 11th hour twice! I wasn't very happy about it but I went through with it anyway and believe it or not, survived!

Ruylupez · May 4, 2004

I just finished my third rotation of clinicals and so far I have only had instructor led clinicals, they meet at the same time and same day each week. In each of these three rotations we had to be in the hospital and ready to go at 6:00 am.

During this last rotation some of my classmates were assigned to preceptors instead and with that you have to obtain your preceptors work schedule and then arrange to be there during their scheduled work time. The schedule can be regular or not depending on how your assigned preceptor schedules their work time. I believe that if they were not able to find common work time with their preceptor they were allowed to trade preceptors if they could find another willing student.

purplemania, BSN, RN · May 4, 2004

why don't you call the nursing school and ask to speak to an instructor? They can give you actual information. If you called me I would consider your question an indication of someone who likes to plan ahead and be prepared. Good nursing qualities.

LauraLou · May 5, 2004

So far we have had set days and times for clinicals. This semester was Tuesday 6:30-3:00 and Wednesday 6:30-12:30. The instructor was out for two days towards the end of the semester so she extended our Wednesdays to 6:30-3:00 to make up the time. Nursing school isn't very daycare friendly, which is suprising since 90% of our students are female, many with small children.

suzy253, RN · May 5, 2004

My 1st semester we had clinicals on Thursdays from 8:00-2:30 and then met in the hospital cafeteria from 2:30 - 3:00 for post conference.

2nd semester clinicals on Thurs & Fridays from 7:30-2:30; pre-conference at 7:30, preparing to give a.m. meds immediately afterwards. We had the post conference from 2-2:30...a few times we had freshman class meetings to go over exams or whatever and they may last until 3:00 or so but they're pretty predictable.

Try not to worry too much in advance. It'll all work out. A lot of my fellow students had young ones at home as well. :)

SCmomof3, RN · May 5, 2004

Thanks everyone, for your replies! I think I will call to have a little chat with the nursing advisor. Problem is I've heard that they're not too friendly at USC Lancaster - that's the school that owns the nursing program at the CC I'm going to. Someone told me this weekend that the advisor she spoke to told her "Once you are in the program, we OWN you!" :rolleyes: This was after this girl called for info about the program (her mom, aunt, and half of her family are nurses) and told the advisor she is a single mom that needs to know for childcare purposes. I will see if I have better luck.

klone, MSN, RN · May 5, 2004

Ours are 7AM-3PM, one day a week. I'm hoping for Mondays.