Advice needed about lateness

hrjqtpie · Oct 29, 2003

I would talk to your clinical instructor and explain it to them. That way they are aware of it possibly happening. Also, make sure you get a phone number where they can be reached and also the hospital/floor number incase you do happen to get stuck. That way you can inform them that you will be late. Just don't forget your cell phone!

agent · Oct 29, 2003

Be direct. Advise them of your situation.

Tell them what you will do for them if they have any needs of you as a result of this inconvience.

nurse2be in ny · Oct 29, 2003

You might find someone who'd be willing to give you a ride if you paid them for gas plus their extra time. Ask around, or put notices up at your school.

wonderbee, BSN, RN · Oct 29, 2003

You'd be surprised who would be willing to help you out. I was transportation dependent during Spring and Summer semesters of prereqs. During conversation with a fellow student, it came up that I was taking combinations of busses, train and bike to get to school 25 miles away. She volunteered her services just like that. She didn't live down the street either. I offered to pay her expenses and even extra for her trouble but she wouldn't hear of it. Not long after that, a family member further honored the effort by giving me a car. I certainly appreciate the effort and planning and travel time involved in public communiting.

You'd be surprised how far people will go to honor the effort it takes to get as far as you've gotten on public transportation. I know in south Florida, it's a downright heroic effort because our system leaves much to be desired.

Speak with your instructors AND get the word out among your group that you could use a hand in the transport department. There may be others who went before you in this situation who are waiting for the opportunity to "pay it forward". I know I am.

belladelicious · Oct 29, 2003

I would try posting a sign, telling where you live..maybe someone in your class lives near you?

marilynmom, LPN, NP · Oct 29, 2003

Absolutley ask other people for help, I am the type of person that would be more than happy to help out another student and I really think most people are that genuine. Offer to pay some gas money or whatever and I think you will find someone who would be willing to help you out!

A lot of us (myself included) have been in a situation where we have no car. My parents have been a GREAT blessing to me by letting me use their car for free (I just pay for any repairs and of course the gas and oil changes). Before that I would have to ask people I knew for some help...and found most people were happy to help me :) Especially someone like you who is going to school, etc its not like you are a lazy lame a**.....lol

Good luck and dont be afraid to ask for help! A lot of people would like to have your company in the morning on the way to school.

If you can't do that then definatly talk with your instructors and tell them your situation--maybe if they know your situation *ahead* of time they can offer some advice or make an exception for you.

Either way good luck!

Marilyn

PlanetCaroline · Oct 29, 2003

This is one of those situations that requires me as a sticking up for myself.

My train leaves at 6 am. I should get to clinical right on time. If the train is late it is rarely more that 15-20 minutes, so the WORST that could happen is I'd be 20 minutes late and show up at clinical at 7:05 am instead of 6:45 am.

The funny part is the train commute is only 45 minutes, but by car it is 75 minutes. If I got a lift, my classmate would have to pick me up by 5:30 am. That would mean my poor classmate would have to leave his or her house around 5:10 am.

Thus, my poor classmate would have to get up at least 30 minutes earlier to pick me up, which if he or she rushed in the am could get up at 4:30 am.

This is complete insanity. For me to be on time I would have to burden a classmate & we both have a 30 minute longer commute.

I plan to discuss my situation with my clinical instructor and tell her I will put in an extra 30 minutes when I am late (whether I'm a minute or 20 minutes late). I hope that is a fair trade. I don't want my driving classmates to think I am a slacker & user. I don't think I'll be late more than 1 time, but I know it will happen. The trains were a mess today b/c of the rain. Lucky I didn't have clinical.

I'll keep praying there isn't snow until after December 15.

Thanks for giving me a chance to figure this problem out.

Caroline

:confused:

Lorus · Oct 30, 2003

wow- getting to clinical really sounds like a pain in the butt. Might just be easier to stay over with someone in your group. As folks have already stated- you might be pleasantly surprised at how helpful classmates will be. -Lorus

Nursie30 · Oct 30, 2003

Originally posted by PlanetCaroline
Starting clinicals tomorrow and I am public transportation dependent. Inevitable I am delayed at least once a month for transportation problems (breakdowns, weather problems, fires, etc.)

I am scared about getting in trouble for showing up late for clinical. They already wrote a student up for being 10 minutes late for clinical lab. I would take an earlier train, but I take the 1st train they have. I can get lifts from classmates, but I think the burden for them would be too great. Imagine asking somebody to get up 30 minutes earlier (around 4 am) to pick my sorry ass up. Maybe I could do a sleepover, but I don't know my peers too well yet.

The best solution is talking to my clinical instructor. I'd be willing to stay an extra 30 minutes if she would allow me to be up to 15 minutes late once in a while. I wish the program would be more understanding b/c I would never take a job at a hospital that I could not get too on time, but they demand me to be punctual when I have no choice of placement.

I don't want to be a whiner, but I want to be assertive.

Thanks for your help. I don't know what to do.

Caroline

No job is going to make deals with you about your tardies, neither will your nursing instructor, they expect you to be prompt and that is that.

LydiaGreen · Oct 30, 2003

Do whatever you have to do, just don't be late. I'm not trying to be mean to you or anything, but the other students in your group will be mad if you are late for any reason. One of my classmates was late once a week, three weeks in a row. Each time, our instructor was big time p.o.'d, but it got worse with each occurrence. Her tardiness was taken out on the rest of us. Being late reflects poorly on you as a professional, and on the instructor as well. The problem with tardiness is that the registered nurses working on the floor will not want to be told, "oh you have to care for this patient for twenty minutes because Susie Q. Student is late". It makes things bad all around for everyone concerned. Trust me, do whatever you have to do.

susanmary · Oct 30, 2003

Find someone in your clinical & ask if you can sleep over; stay over nearby in an inexpensive hotel and walk/taxi; or take a chance and see if you can get a ride with a fellow student (even if your commute is longer.) I know that LIFE HAPPENS ... but you really need to rework your entire life, at times, during clinicals. Being late reflects poorly upon the student & aggravates both the instructor and the floor nurses. Do what you need to do so that you are on time.