Clinicals

[tmbcsb]

I have been taking pre-req nurses classes in MA thinking that I will be going into nursing soon. I have been going to school part time. Thinking that I will be able take my clinicals at night as well. I work full time and I am single so I can not work part time. To my surprise I found out even part time clinicals start around 2 or 3pm. If I am working a 9-5 job this is not possible for me. I have called many schools around the area of MA, NH and RI because I was willing to drive the 1 or 2 hours for the clinicals and it is the same thing. I would like to be a nurse any one have any suggestion on how I can get my clinicals done.

Frustrated.

[Rose_Queen, BSN, MSN, RN]

There are some programs out there that have evening classes and weekend clinicals. Look into those programs which are geared towards those already working. My local nursing school has the traditional, full time day program and an evening/weekend program where classes are 5-9 in the evening and clinicals every other weekend.

Keep in mind that in many schools, the clinicals follow the shifts that the nurses work: 7-3, 3-11. The only time I've ever seen overnight clinicals were for students completing their final semester practicum, where they are paired with a willing nurse preceptor and follow that preceptor's schedule. In mine, the instructor only made periodic visits since he/she was responsible for 10 students who were completing their practicums on all shifts and all days rather than as a group.

[meanmaryjean, DNP, RN]

I'm guessing you need to find another job. Is this possible for you?

[rosslyn]

If you can't find a school that has weekend clinicals, you may need to consider other options. There are only a few schools in my immediate area that I have to choose from and that one I'm planning on applying to has weekend clinicals, however the classes are called evening classes, but really they're late afternoon classes. I currently work an office 9-5 job and am hoping that my husband is able to find a job before I apply for nursing school so I can work only part time. Go and talk to your local community college. They might have something on the weekends. Explore every school in the area because someone should be offering nights and weekends.