Missed first day of clinical

Nurses General Nursing

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I am in an accelerated program. My first day ever of clinical was yesterday and I'm pretty sure I came down with the norovirus the night before. Violent vomiting and diarrhea until 7am the morning of my first shift. I emailed my instructor and she said it was fine and to feel better.

Today, I still have a bit of diarrhea, but no vomiting. However, I got my mom sick and she has been throwing up all morning. I had 2 important labs today. I probably could have made it though the day but I know how contagious I am and I was worried about having diarrhea so I did not go. The summer semester is just starting so they were orientation labs but I still missed a pop quiz and how to create a plan of care for my patient. Which is obviously a huge nursing skill. I emailed my instructor about having a make up session so I can learn this but I haven't heard back and I'm just getting really anxious. I feel so behind all of my peers already and I'm worried my instructor won't want to help me, and then I'll be lost for the rest of the semester.

Has anyone missed this much school before? I hate being sick. The last time I was sick to my stomach I was probably 10 years old. I'm just really worried about how this is going to affect the rest of the semester for me.

Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.

If I were you I would meet with your instructors ASAP and discuss the situation and formulate a plan for making up what you missed. Yo uwon't know what will happen for sure, until you do.

Specializes in Psych ICU, addictions.

First, I hope you are feeling better. If you need to, see your doctor ASAP.

Second, call your clinical instructor immediately and explain what happened. Nursing schools have strict policies regarding clinical attendance, but most programs will allow you to have 1-2 excused absences. However, I can't speak for certain for your school's policy, hence why you need to call them ASAP.

If your school has an absence policy to cover this and/or allows you to make this up, be sure you don't miss another clinical day during this course. You need to accrue a certain number of clinical hours each semester in order to graduate. Multiple clinical absences, even for illness, can't be overlooked for that reason. The reality is that if you miss too many clinicals, you may fail the class or have to withdraw and repeat it.

Feel better and best of luck.

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