Have any nursing schools cancelled clinicals yet because of COVID-19? I hear about colleges moving classroom sessions online, but have yet to hear of clinical cancellations.
Are any of your schools requiring special screening for students prior to clinicals? What about travel restrictions? Some hospitals are not allowing staff to work if they have recently traveled to high risk areas. Are such rules being applied to students, too?
(I coordinate student experiences for a hospital and am trying to keep track of what's happening throughout the country in this regard.)
We have had quite a few sites decline students: Long-term care, ICU, high risk specialty care. Lectures and exams will most likely be online. They are working with boards in figuring out a schedule for clinicals that would be approved. I just hope employers will be able to push back start dates because now everything that is time sensitive is backed up
I'm in Santa Clara county and all classes have been moved online and today we were informed that ALL clinical hours have been cancelled until further notice. This seriously has me freaking out and hoping my semester isn't jeopardized at this point...
I received an email from my school yesterday. Our quarter ends next week, so they said the rest of the quarter will finish out as scheduled. We then have a two week break from March 21-April 5 (which is normal for us between quarters anyway, so this isn't an extra precaution). However, next quarter, all residential classes will be moved to an online format. All labs and clinicals will continue as scheduled. If clinical sites decide to refuse students, then the campus is to work to find alternative sites. If alternative sites are not found, then the campus will have us do simulations or another alternative in accordance with the state's requirements for clinical hours.
. However, any students who've recently traveled internationally or any students who've experienced any recent illness or who are currently ill, are not allowed to attend clinical until cleared to do so by the department chair following clearance in writing from their PCP.
I want to say what BS the “clearance from a PCP” is. My FQHC provides the PCPs for many people in our city. I had a patient call last week: He traveled to Europe, and now his work won’t allow him back without “a letter from his PCP.” Well, the PCP said (rightly IMO): “A letter stating what? I can’t guarantee he isn’t going to get sick 13 days from now. We aren’t testing healthy people. So no, I’m not writing a letter.” Totally valid, but now this person (who is very poor) can’t work. And his workplace is blaming it on him, or on the PCP, for not “clearing” him. I don’t know what the solution is, because I do believe in social distancing, and self-quarantine, but it’s unfortunate. (When I say he “went to Europe” I mean he visited his family in a former Soviet bloc country, not that he was vacationing in Paris! Just wanted to add that info since I described him as poor.)
I want to say what BS the “clearance from a PCP” is. My FQHC provides the PCPs for many people in our city. I had a patient call last week: He traveled to Europe, and now his work won’t allow him back without “a letter from his PCP.” Well, the PCP said (rightly IMO): “A letter stating what? I can’t guarantee he isn’t going to get sick 13 days from now. We aren’t testing healthy people. So no, I’m not writing a letter.” Totally valid, but now this person (who is very poor) can’t work. And his workplace is blaming it on him, or on the PCP, for not “clearing” him. I don’t know what the solution is, because I do believe in social distancing, and self-quarantine, but it’s unfortunate. (When I say he “went to Europe” I mean he visited his family in a former Soviet bloc country, not that he was vacationing in Paris! Just wanted to add that info since I described him as poor.)
I'm not sure how exactly that would work either. In my area, people who aren't exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19 aren't getting tested - there just aren't enough resources available. In fact, my PCP's office is triaging patients over the phone, and those who meet the criteria are sent to a testing center that's been set up outside and away from any high traffic areas. Those who are ill, but not suspected to have the coronavirus, are simply asked to self-quarantine. Those in my program who have traveled, are now being encouraged to self-quarantine for 14 days and are not permitted to attend clinical.
So far my school has not canceled all clinicals. But they have canceled our ER rotation because there have been cases of COVID-19 at that particular hospital. I think we will also be following all other colleges and going online for classes.
My RN Bridge program starts in June and we have three hospital orientations lined up ahead of time. Official orientation to my program is next month and I'm assuming we'll hear more about what to expect concerning cancellations or classroom closures. As of now, my community college extended their Spring Break holiday. My only solution would be simulation lab days to substitute for clinical hours. Poke and prod each other? ?♀️ LOL. I have no idea...
I'm in Santa Clara county and all classes have been moved online and today we were informed that ALL clinical hours have been cancelled until further notice. This seriously has me freaking out and hoping my semester isn't jeopardized at this point...
That's what I'm worried about. Delays if anything. Sucks.
However, any students who've recently traveled internationally or any students who've experienced any recent illness or who are currently ill, are not allowed to attend clinical until cleared to do so by the department chair following clearance in writing from their PCP.
That is a very irresponsible way for them to go about this.
If the SoN can't follow public health guidelines they shouldn't be trusted to run a program. Anyone who has a concern should be advised to follow the damn guidelines. Call the hotlines states are setting up for risk evaluation and guidance PRN. Start using logic and available tools instead of scrambling to pass the buck.
It isn't even fair to ask a licensed professional to "clear" someone in these scenarios, but it's also illogical -- are they supposed to somehow be able to verify that someone has observed a recommended self-quarantine, for example?
Lastly and most importantly, requirement of these useless notes is a very irresponsible stressor on the healthcare system.
Specializes in mental health / psychiatic nursing.
My hospital is no longer allowing students, interns, or volunteers to enter facility. The only exception is post-doc fellows who may be responsible for their own patient panels.
Given we typically have a mix of social work, nursing, psychology, medical, pharmacology, and NP students rotating through at any point in time I'm sure this will impact several schools.
I’m a student nurse in Toronto (Canada). All classes are moving online and just got the news our placements are on hold for the next three weeks. I’m in an accelerated program (2 years for a BScN) so I’m not sure how we’re going to make up the hours. Hearing rumblings the province is going to be shut down tomorrow onwards ? what a time to be a part of the health care system.
daisies.sunshine
13 Posts
We have had quite a few sites decline students: Long-term care, ICU, high risk specialty care. Lectures and exams will most likely be online. They are working with boards in figuring out a schedule for clinicals that would be approved. I just hope employers will be able to push back start dates because now everything that is time sensitive is backed up