Dumb question....

Mewsin · Dec 18, 2013

In my class we carpool as much as possible because of how little parking there is but we decide that on our own. We are expected to get ourselves to the clinical site.

allnurses Guide · Dec 18, 2013

That is not a dumb question. I agree with Mewsin's post and will only add that being on time is extremely important in clinicals and most instructors will not accept "my ride overslept" etc, as a valid excuse. Choose your carpool-mates wisely! :-)

Compassion_x · Dec 18, 2013

We have three hospitals in fairly close proximity to the school. As my school is a CC plenty of students are from all over the area and living up to an hour drive away. That said, if clinicals are to be outside this ~15 mile radius, many students carpool if possible. Otherwise most of us drive ourselves.

Emily Cox · Dec 18, 2013

Thank you everyone for the input! Hopefully I'll be able to carpool I'm terrible at finding places!

loriangel14, RN · Dec 18, 2013

The school doesn't care what you do as long as you get there on time.I was carpooling once and the person left without me.I was almost late.I would rely on someone else.

sueall · Dec 18, 2013

Hopefully I'll be able to carpool I'm terrible at finding places!

LOL! Within a week or two you will be able to find your clinical site in your sleep -- and you probably will!

But seriously -- do a few dry runs from your house to the clinical site well before clinicals start so you'll be familiar with the area, parking, etc. Best not to rely on Google Map at 5:30 a.m. the first day of clinicals!

loriangel14, RN · Dec 18, 2013

LOL! Within a week or two you will be able to find your clinical site in your sleep -- and you probably will!
But seriously -- do a few dry runs from your house to the clinical site well before clinicals start so you'll be familiar with the area, parking, etc. Best not to rely on Google Map at 5:30 a.m. the first day of clinicals!

That's a great suggestion.

Emily Cox · Dec 18, 2013

Yes great idea! I live an Hour away and I'm not familiar with the area so scoping it out first will help a lot!

SWM2009 · Dec 22, 2013

Carpooling is good but be careful who you choose to carpool with because the school won't give a hoot whose fault it was that you were late.

NicoleAlbertie84 · Dec 27, 2013

Carpooling is good but be careful who you choose to carpool with because the school won't give a hoot whose fault it was that you were late.

I agree and keep in mind if the person you carpooled with has an emergency and has to leave then how will you get home? I say drive yourself. I like to be responsible for myself and I don't want to be responsible for anyone.

vintagemother, BSN, CNA, LVN, RN · Dec 28, 2013

I set firm rules for my carpool groups that we all abided by. Clinicals were far and my school didn't allow make ups except like a few hours each qtr. There were some people who preferred to drive themselves because they wanted to be able to leave and they didn't really participate in carpooling.

We met at the designated spot with extra time to spare. If mapquest said it takes 50 minutes, we'd meet an hour and 15 minutes or 20 minutes before hand.

The agreement was you would get left if you were late.

If you weren't driving cause you had to miss a day or were coming late you tell the carpool group a week ahead and then drive an extra day.

No gas money was exchanged, we just took turns driving our own cars on a rotation.

I did ride with folks who were as serious and focused as I was on being at school and being successful.

Carpooling was a great way to start and end my days at clinicals by talking with my classmates or resting on the way home or on the way to clinicals.