About skipping the last clinical

#1rnstudent · Jul 17, 2004

This is not how you begin a nursing career. You try to stick to no absences, if at all possible. Or have a very good reason to just miss it. These are learning experiences for you and you should be learning something new everyday. You should be going because you want to go, not because you have to.
What are you going to do when you actually begin working as an RN? As work ethics, you need to reconsider what you are doing.

When I begin working as an RN, I will be getting PAID TO BE THERE, not paying to be there. If I am paying, then I am entitled to my program's 2 days absences, regardless of the reason. Personal days are personal, no explanations necessary. For what it's worth, I haven't learned much at clinical except that RPNs and RNs hate us. Take the day off.

NurseKratchet · Jul 17, 2004

Really you should go in the big picture I do understand the temptation but nursing school is also about time management and testing your abilities to handle and balance it all...............I know it is hard I'm getting ready to start my last semester of RN school and also in a preceptor program at the hospital and have 4 children. It's all about responsibility and planning ahead and it will show great responsibility to have planned ahead for clinical one day final the next...........IMHO I would not miss.....Ruthie

MrsWampthang, BSN, RN · Jul 17, 2004

On my last clinical day on all four semesters, I was lucky enough to get clinical instructors that cut the day short and we went to lunch at a nice restaurant. Some of the students skipped that day if they hadn't had any absences and the instructors were ok with that.

Pam

mitchsmom · Jul 17, 2004

the proff gave a 20 point bonus question "What color tie was I wearing on Friday?"

I could see ours doing something like this, or giving away half the test on that clinical day to the only 2 people who do show up, or telling those two they don't have to take it, or something along those lines. I think our instructors would be pi$$ed. (We also have to do make-up days anyway in the first place so it's kind of beside the point :)

QuilterLPN · Jul 17, 2004

I wouldn't do it - in our program we would have to be on our own deathbed to miss a clinical day. I believe if we miss two, then we have to start making up time. However, I've gone one year now and haven't missed a clincal day. You never know, that might be the day that you get to practice some really cool skill that the other students haven't done yet!

AmyB · Jul 18, 2004

I've had instructors give an hour and a half review for the final during post conference. To have missed that would have been something I would have really regretted later. Even if I had the day to burn, I would still go.

susi_q · Jul 19, 2004

Clinical instructor here ... my advice would be to go to clinical. As someone already said, we do often cut our last day short and go out to lunch. Also, the biggest thing I emphasize in clinical is the need to be professional. True, when you are an employee you will be paid for being there ... but you also "get" a certain number of sick days ... but your reputation will suffer if you use them for anything other than a true need. Finally, clinicals are your best chance to learn the real life stuff of nursing. Classes and theory are necessary, but to really learn it and be ready to function in the role of nurse, you need that time with someone holding your hand & showing you the ropes (or kicking you in the butt). IMHO.

HyperRNRachel · Jul 19, 2004

My plan is to attend. Since I had not planned on last Thursday being my last day, I did not pass out thank you cards. So...I started studying for my final and I will go to clinical and say my good-byes as planned. Thanks to everyone for the advice.

nontrad1964 · Jul 19, 2004

WE had a lot of people skip lecture and lab last semester. Our teacher one day annouced that potential employers call for references when time to enter the working world and they are very honest on attendance. There is a nursing grapevine wether we want to beleive it or not. Being there may be a great way to impress your instructor as to your work ethic if anyone ever asks.

klone, MSN, RN · Jul 20, 2004

WE had a lot of people skip lecture and lab last semester. Our teacher one day annouced that potential employers call for references when time to enter the working world and they are very honest on attendance. There is a nursing grapevine wether we want to beleive it or not.

I can believe it! Especially where I live, it's a very small town, with ONE nursing school and ONE hospital. Many of the clinical instructors are also staff nurses. You make a good impression during your school career, it will pay off when you're looking for work. You make a BAD impression during your school career...

Chevelle · Jul 20, 2004

My plan is to attend. Since I had not planned on last Thursday being my last day, I did not pass out thank you cards. So...I started studying for my final and I will go to clinical and say my good-byes as planned. Thanks to everyone for the advice.

Good for you! Have fun and congratulations on making it through the semester!:)

jeepgirl, LPN, NP · Jul 21, 2004

we had to have 100% attendance at clinicals. there was no missing... if you did, you had to make it up... and it wasn't any job shadowing thing. you had to work on the med surg floor... and you usually had to take your own team of 4-5 pts. and i hate to say it, but they usually gave you the "best" patients. if you know what i mean.

no way i ever missed a clinical!!!