Can I still go to clinical??

Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN · Mar 13, 2008

In my school, we can't have casts on while attending clinical. I was nearly going to be in the same situation as you--a possible foot cast was in my future and because of our school's policy I was wondering how I was going to swing clinicals (Aircast?)...but the MRI came back showing no break in the bone :) Now if they can only find out what's wrong with my foot...I digress.

I would talk to your DON and bring the letter from the Dr. and see what can be done. At the worst, they'll say No again but at least you tried.

NoviceRN10 · Mar 13, 2008

How can you do your clinicals with one hand out of commission? You wouldn't be able to do many tasks that I can think of.

deftonez188 · Mar 13, 2008

Just go, get help for things you can't do like lifting and transferring. Who wants to fail out.

elkpark · Mar 13, 2008

Just go, get help for things you can't do like lifting and transferring. Who wants to fail out.

Ummm, if the school tells her she's not allowed to come to clinical with a cast, that's not really an option ...

It's not "failing out," it's taking a medical leave. Happens all the time -- no biggie. You come back to school when you're able and make up what you missed.

Heloisea3 · Mar 13, 2008

So, what do nurses do if they break or sprain a limb? Do they take off work and go on short term disability until they no longer have a cast or brace on? Just curious. I don't know anyone who has ever been in this situation. I feel really bad for you. I would talk to them again and stress the fact that the doctor feels like you are capable of doing clinicals. I hope you are able to stay in. Good luck.

missninaRN · Mar 13, 2008

So, what do nurses do if they break or sprain a limb? Do they take off work and go on short term disability until they no longer have a cast or brace on? Just curious.

At my hospital, if they are unable to fulfill the requirements of their job, they take a medical leave or are assigned to a desk job (i.e. ward clerk) until they are released by their doctor.

puggymae · Mar 13, 2008

At our school you cannot go to clinical if you have any limitations. A cast would certainly be a limitation. If it extends down onto the hand - how would you wash your hands. And you need two hands to do almost any procedure.

Just remember that you are not failing out - it is in your best interest, as well as the patients, and school.

Good luck!

llg, PhD, RN · Mar 13, 2008

I agree with the others. You can't do patient care tasks if you can't wash your hands (though I did watch my Dad deliver a baby with his arm in a sling once).

In a hospital setting, a staff nurse in a similar situation would not be allowed to provide direct patient care. Most employers would see if there were some other work she could do to be useful. If that couldn't be arranged, she would be forced to take a medical leave -- using up sick time and vacation time as necessary.

This is why I try to teach young nurses (and students) about the need to save up a bank of sick and vacation time -- and about the "down side" of per diem or PRN positions. Many people think, "It can't happen to me" and don't think about what would happen to them financially if they couldn't work due to an injury or illness. But most of us experience this sort of thing at one point or another in our lives. All we can do is be prepared to take the time off if and when necessary.

As others have said, this is not the same as "flunking out." You have an injury and simply have to wait until it heals before you continue. Try to use the time off wisely. Can you get some other important work done that will save you time later while you are "off?" Can you earn a little money? etc. etc. etc.

metfan · Mar 13, 2008

Well, I broke my wrist in January and I have been out of work ever since. I hope to go back real soon. The policy where I work is you can't go back with any restrictions. In other words, I can't go back with lifting restrictions. How can you even wash your hands properly with a cast on? I am in physical therapy right now and hope to return to work. The doctor has to sign a form stating that I have full function of my hand. Luckily, I am not in clinicals at this time. (I am an LPN going for my RN). I did see one of my LPN teachers and she said if it had happened while in school, I would have had to drop. I guess I should count my blessings. Microbiology is hard enough with a cast. Colleen

future L&Dnurse · Apr 5, 2008

The best person to answer your question is your clinical instructor.

That said, I have chronic problems with tendonitis and what I suspect is carpal tunnel in one wrist. My wrist started aching last semester and I had to wear a brace for about 3 weeks to let it rest and make it stop hurting. I wore the brace to clinical - I asked for help with any lifting or moving, I pulled an extra-large glove on over the brace if I needed gloves. Not a big deal, it worked out just fine.

Ask your instructor, he or she is the best person to know whether you can do it or not, but in my experience you probably can, as long as you aren't doing heavy lifting with that hand.

AirforceRN, RN · Apr 5, 2008

Unfortunately, even if you were able to perfrom the tasks, you have a great dirty cast on your arm. If you have ever seen one removed, you know that they are just gross bacteria farms..besides your own safety (if a patient grabs your broken hand and twists...breaking it even more who is liable? Probably the hospital for allowing you to work with a broken hand...a risk I wouldn't take if I was CEO) think about the patients.