Class Schedule (need some advice!)

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Specializes in Med-Surg, NICU.

So I'm looking at my scheduling options for next semester. By then, I will have completed all of my general classes (finally). All I will have left are nursing courses.

Next semester I will be taking thirteen credit hours. Two classes will be online. The other class has a lecture and a clinical component. The lecture is every Wednesday, 215-5pm.

For clinicals I could either:

1. Do a twelve hour clinical (7am to 725pm) on Thursdays

Or

2. Do two six hour clinicals (7-125pm). Monday and Tuesday.

OR

3. Do two six-hour clinicals (7-125pm). Tuesday and Wednesday.

Or

4. Do two six-hour clinicals (7-125pm) Wednesday and Thursday.

I work two jobs that are very flexible scheduling wise as a PCA, and I do NOT have any kids or husband.

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Specializes in Med-Surg.

Were it me, I would go with the 12 hour clinical on Thursdays.

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Specializes in PICU, Sedation/Radiology, PACU.

Personally, I'd choose the 12 hour clinical. I think you'll get a better understanding of how a nurse's day really flows through the entire shift. I found that 6 hour clinicals were really too short to get a good picture of the patients and the time management/prioritization required to be effective as a floor nurse. Of course, that's my personal preference. But if you have trouble focusing for that long or have any physical problems that make 12 hours difficult, splitting the clinical may be a better option for you.

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I have to agree with the 5 hour clinical. Getting it done in one day is much easier, less stress and gives you a better idea of what your schedule as a nurse would be.

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Specializes in Hospice + Palliative.

I agree with the others - 12 hour clinical. You'll get a better education on how a typical day really plays out for a nurse, and it'll free up other days for focusing on the online coursework and your job(s).

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Last fall I packed my schedule into 2 days - class, clinical and lab and I suffered terribly...I went from 8:30 am to 10:30 pm on Tuesdays and Wednesdays - by Thursday I was useless - slept most of the day etc...but I'm old! LOL

Just keep in mind that you may need a full day of recovery after a 12 hour clinical day...

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Specializes in Med-Surg, NICU.
Last fall I packed my schedule into 2 days - class, clinical and lab and I suffered terribly...I went from 8:30 am to 10:30 pm on Tuesdays and Wednesdays - by Thursday I was useless - slept most of the day etc...but I'm old! LOL

Just keep in mind that you may need a full day of recovery after a 12 hour clinical day...

I agree. I will only have two online classes and a three hour lecture on Wednesday to worry about. I would probably use Friday to recuperate.

Thanks for all the replies! Keep them coming!

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I have clinicals Thursday and Friday from 6:30-3:00. I wish it were longer. I always feel stressed to get my charting done. We are in the our last semester so we are pretty much on our own with the pts. You do everything from AM care, meds, procedures, ect.. then you have to chart. I am always running out of time and think if I were there for 12 it would be less stressful and I would have more time to get everything done. I always feel like i am leaving the Rn with a bunch of work to do. So I would pick the one 12hr shift.

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Specializes in Med-Surg, NICU.

I think I will be going with the twelve hour clinical then! It will be nice to physically only have to go to class two days per week! :)

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If you have to go the day before clinicals to pick your patients and do prep work the 12 hour day will save you time too.

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12hrs clinical hands down!

That one free day is something you will need, trust me.

I have done both.

Like someone said, you will get a fill of 'day as a nurse'

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Specializes in critical care.

I would really wonder about the written work afterward. If you have 2 days of clinical, will you have 2 care plans to write, vs. 1 care plan for 1 clinical? I'd go with one day either way. Frees up your other days, doesn't make you tired before sitting through class, and your care planning may not be less in volume, but I have a feeling being on the floor for one day will give you an easier care planning experience afterward.

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