Would you miss the first day of class?

Nursing Students General Students Nursing Q/A

I just received a job at my local hospital as a NA2. I was super excited about receiving it until I found out that I have to complete a full 2 days of orientation. In order to do this I am going to have to miss my first day of class (am going into my 3rd out of 4 semesters). I keep wondering is it worth missing this day? I had applied for the job at the beginning of July and thought if I received the job I would have plenty of time before school to get everything in order, but they just called and offered me the job yesterday. It is a very part-time position just 12 hours a week so I thought it would be perfect for school and help me get my foot in the door of the hospital. It is known that the hospital offers new RN jobs to their current NA staff that has completed school. Am so worried that I will miss super important info on the first day.

41 Answers

If I was in your shoes I would try and talk to whoever hired you and see if you could miss the orientation because the first day, in my opinion, is very important. When I was taking my pre-requisites I started a new job and I didn't have to do the 2 days of orientation since I talked with the lady that hired me. So it's worth a shot. But I definitely wouldn't tell the school that you were missing a day to attend orientation for a job.

Specializes in Public Health.

It's so crazy, this EXACT thing happened to me in second semester. I had to miss a clinical day for the only orientation day they had for a month. Seeing as how I desperately needed the job to pay my car note, I missed clinical and got a 3% deduction. But whatevs bc I will have a job immediately upon graduation!

Hello,

I wouldn't miss the first day of class. To be honest, I think that it would look bad. I am sure if you explained the situation to your boss, that he or she would understand fully and have you start sooner or another day. Especially beinv in the nursing field, I am sure they would agree school comes first. But who knows, they may not! Best of luck! :)

Specializes in ER.

I had a dream last night that I missed the first day of class, and I woke up in a cold sweat with my heart racing. I would not miss my first day, but if you have to choose talk with both and see if one can be flexible.

I skipped my first day of my fourth (senior) year (class, not clinical) because when I came downstairs to go to school my cat was in labor. But I don't recommend it. It's a sort of "at your own peril" kind of thing.

Specializes in SCRN.

No, missing the first day of class = kicked out of that class... school policy

I would check with the hospital and with your instructors to see if one of them would be willing to work with you on this. However, at my school (no matter what semester you are in) if you miss the first day of class you automatically forfeit your spot in that class unless its an emergency (and even then you need to contact the instructor ASAP).

\ said:
I just received a job at my local hospital as a NA2. I was super excited about receiving it until I found out that I have to complete a full 2 days of orientation. In order to do this I am going to have to miss my first day of class (am going into my 3rd out of 4 semesters). I keep wondering is it worth missing this day? I had applied for the job at the beginning of July and thought if I received the job I would have plenty of time before school to get everything in order but they just called and offered me the job yesterday. It is a very part-time position just 12 hours a week so I thought it would be perfect for school and help me get my foot in the door of the hospital. It is known that the hospital offers new RN jobs to their current NA staff that has completed school. Am so worried that I will miss super important info on the first day.

Is someone able to record for you?

Specializes in Hospice.

I agree with a couple of PPs, talk to BOTH the instructor and your boss. If it comes down to having to choose and neither of them will work with you, choose class, obviously. I would think if you were a first semester student this would be a no brainer, you would choose class. But being in your third semester, your instructor may even agree that you should attend the orientation, because they want you to be employed as a nurse and understand that you shouldn't miss that opportunity to get your foot in the door at a hospital. All you can do is ask!

Specializes in Trauma, Orthopedics.

I missed the first day of class for my brother's wedding. My professors had no idea, and we're a class of 30. I wouldn't worry about it, honestly. Just email your professors ahead of time (no need to be specific, it's honestly none of their business), and let them know that although you know how important it is to be in class on the first day, circumstances don't allow for it but that you will be prepared and caught up for next class. Do you have friends that can tell you the readings/take notes for you?

Specializes in Operating Room.

I think it be a lot different if it were your first day of the actual program- does that make sense? If it's a job at a really good hospital, like the type you'd do anything to get your foot into, then I'd make sure to attend orientation. Check with a trusting friend (we all have at least 1 or 2 friends in nursing school who we can rely on for notes!) to see if they've got your back for any pertinent information from the first class. This job may turn out to be the perfect opportunity to eventually get a nursing position. :-)

I'm also getting ready to start my 3rd out of 4 semesters, and I know there is no way I would miss class. Our first reading is 11 chapters long and we have a test the following week over that material.

It's great that you have already emailed the instructor, but I honestly would see if you can switch orientation days. It seems the further along in the program I go, the most material is covered on the 1st day and I would hate to miss that.

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