Can't attend clinical d/t injury, being held back a year

[mandy-ns]

I am a third year BN student in Ontario. I am on honour roll, received academic awards and have been the student ambassador for honorary events in my program. I'm hoping you will be able to provide me with support with the issue I have recently encountered.

Recently, I was in a car accident and sustained a broken wrist. I have a cast that extends to approximately 1.5 inches below my elbow. Surprisingly, I am able to function normally with this cast and have not needed to make modifications. However, I was told that I am unable to participate in clinical (practicum) due to infection control policies (in this case, hand washing). I followed up with my program coordinator who indicated that when the cast was off, I would be able to make up my clinical hours in the summer with the only downfall being that I would have to pay. This was great news because I could progress to my fourth year normally.

Today, I have found out that my associate dean is not in agreement with this as it is "too many hours to make up". The amount of hours that I am missing is 41. I have made it clear that I will do absolutely anything to make up these hours (with my cast on, if permitted, or when it is removed). In the case that I am not allowed to make up these hours, I will be required to setback my graduation date one whole year.

My clinical instructor has sent e-mails stating that I have demonstrated great clinical ability. She believes I should not have to repeat the course and has indicated that she would be more than willing to teach me in the summer. She has advocated for my clinical capabilities, but has had no luck in being able to assist me.

I agree that I should have to make up the hours missed and I have developed solutions to address the issue (such as completing the hours in the summer). I do not feel that it is appropriate for me to be penalized by being set back a year due to a small, temporary injury. Especially in the case that solutions are available. Moreover, I would be required to repeat the entire clinical (182 hours) when I am only missing 41. I do not find this fair.

I am looking for someone to advocate for me in this situation and/or direct me to where I may be able to find assistance. I am concerned that nurses in the field must have encountered a broken arm in which they were able to continue practice by making modifications to ensure appropriate infection control.

I am desperately hoping that someone is able to provide me suggestions, solutions or advice about to proceed so that I am able to move on to my fourth (and final) year.

[JustBeachyNurse, LPN]

In my experience if it was a work related injury the employer would make accommodations that did not involve patient care such as chart review for a nurse or unit secretary for a tech. If it was not work related (this is US scenarios) the employee would be out on PTO/disability until medically cleared to return to work.

It is not safe or reasonable for you to expect to fully participate in patient care/clinical rotations with a short arm cast however since your instructor is willing to work with you to make up the clinical hours (assuming a facility would be willing to host your student experience) over the summer you should review school policy to determine if arrangements could be made. I doubt for infection control and risk management/liability concerns they would let you participate in clinical with a short arm cast until fully cleared by your treating physician.

Good luck.

[SHGR, MSN, RN, CNS]

Considering all the complaints from students re: their lack of being able to do "skills" in clinicals, this really hardly seems fair. I think you could make a strong case for: care planning, making therapeutic communication with patients, and the many other hands-off aspects of the nursing process that we do every day.