Any nursging Schools affected by SARS

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Specializes in Geriatrics, Completing the O.R. course.

This is my first posting. And I am sorry but I need to vent a little.

I am a second year nursing student in Ontario, Canada. With the SARS outbreak we are not allowed on the hospital wards to complete our clinical time. Which I am fine with I know they are taking precautions. The problem is that this is going to get worse before it gets better, we have three weeks left of clinical to do and today as far as I know all clinicals in Ontario are cancelled due tot he SARs outbreak.

Also, today we were told that any one who is working in the health care field needs to make a decision between school and work. That includes nursing teachers and students. I called the nursing coordinator today and asked her what I need to do to complete the two weeks left of school, she told me that I need to decided to work or go to school. Well I would love to do that except I have a mortgage and car payments to make so quiting work is not an option, so she is telling me that I may lose my whole year even though there is two weeks left. After speaking with her I put a call in to the Dean of health sciences (still waiting to hear back from her). My clinical instructer was also given this choice, she cannot take a leave of abscence to work at the college she said she would get fired and she has a family to support.

I was just wondering if any other students were being affected by this SARs outbreak and what your schools are doing for clinical for classes?

I know this is a serious illness but I think this is getting blown way out of proportion. I don't want to lose my whole year when there is two weeks left that is just silly. :(

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Originally posted by Giggles

Also, today we were told that any one who is working in the health care field needs to make a decision between school and work. That includes nursing teachers and students. I called the nursing coordinator today and asked her what I need to do to complete the two weeks left of school, she told me that I need to decided to work or go to school. Well I would love to do that except I have a mortgage and car payments to make so quiting work is not an option, so she is telling me that I may lose my whole year even though there is two weeks left. After speaking with her I put a call in to the Dean of health sciences (still waiting to hear back from her). My clinical instructer was also given this choice, she cannot take a leave of abscence to work at the college she said she would get fired and she has a family to support.

I do not understand this....????????

also welcome to the board!!!!

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Specializes in Geriatrics, Completing the O.R. course.

Sorry, because I work in long term health care and their could be a risk of contracting SARS we were given the ultimatum to not work or continue with our schooling. Although where I work the risk is extremly low, no SARs In other words I choose my work over school I am not allowed to return to school to finish my year.

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Wow.

Can you take a leave of absence from work....or maybe put in for 2 weeks of vacation?

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Can't the school just put a "hold" on clinicals and resume when the dust settles??

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Specializes in ICU.

I'm a bit lost too...

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Specializes in Operating Room (and a bit of med/surg).

Hi Giggles (love your name!!) Welcome!

I'm also a 2nd year student from Ontario. Our clinical has been affected a little...

Our school of nursing had decided last week already (before the all-Ontario hospital closures) to cancel our clinical since we only had one week left (and we only have clinical one day a week). So we just missed it, with no penalties. I'm not 100% sure about 3rd and 4th year students, cuz they have more hours, but I think they are just missing it too with no penalties. Our dean sent an email, and she said students doing fine in clinical now would just pass, and students needing to finish off the placement would do so once the ban is lifted.

As for our other classes, some have been canceled (yay, no more microbiology!!) Others have been relocated. Since we do almost everything in small tutorial groups, we've been encouraged to "be creative". Some groups have gone to restaurants, some to coffee shops... tomorrow we're going to our tutor's house... we've met in a residence... sure it's a bit of a pain, but hey, it makes life interesting!!

As for your situation, I can see where their argument is coming from, but I really think that's a little excessive! Let me get this straight... just b/c you work in LTC, they don't want you to come to classes... like, all classes?? What are you supposed to do, quarrantine yourself when you're not at work? I just don't get it. You'd think they'd let you come to class, even if they made you wear a mask, or something silly like that...

My mom works as a lab-patient technician, and told me they might have to start wearing masks, "in case they had been exposed to someone with SARS". It just doesn't make sense to me... I don't think they're at an increased risk... the guy in the elevator probably poses a bigger risk to me than my mom does!!

Maybe they'll change their decision? One can only hope! I really don't think it's fair (AT ALL!) that you are forced to choose between losing your semester and losing your job/car/house etc. Keep us posted on what happens!

Good luck wishes coming your way!!!

~ Maeyken

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Specializes in Geriatrics, Completing the O.R. course.

Update on my situation, as it turns out I work in low risk area of health. And since not of the houses that I work at have been closed due to SAR's I will be able to continue going to school.

As for other students who work in a hospital they are being told to stay home and the school is setting up their classes online so they don't miss school. Which is really good considering there is only two weeks left. As for exams I guess they are still working out the details in case this goes on longer than two weeks.

My clinical teacher who works at the hospital was told that she is not allowed to have any contact with the students, so any clinical assigments will have to be given throught the phone or e-mail.

Thanks to all those who replied. Maeyken thank you for letting me know what your school is doing.

Giggles

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This doesn't give me much confidence in "Universal Precautions".

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I am registered in a course Surgical Nursing for RN's at Canadore college in North Bay. The start date was to be June 1st. This is now on hold until SARS is controlled as it is in a hospital setting. I was alos suppose to take a Nurse refresher course since I havent worked since '99 and felt it was in my best interest to update. This is also on hold. I understand the reasoning but it still upsets me. I hope all the nursing students get a break and won't miss out or lose time, I know how hard you alll have to work to become a nurse.

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Graduating students here in Hamilton have been forewarned that if the outbreak continues pregrad placements will be cancelled. Dont know what they plan to do with us. Putting us in holding pattern wont work because they cant place the amount of students they have now, never mind placing us at the same time as the ones coming up behind us. We have been assured that pregrad placements have a priority over 2nd and 3rd year students, but still-

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Oh my gosh. I couldn't imagine this situation. It's so hard to swallow. I wish you all luck. I don't have any advice to offer you, but you will be in my prayers. I hope you all are able to graduate and get jobs soon. Otherwise the shortage will be in even bigger trouble. But I do have one question, is the school going to reimburse you for the tuition if you have to make the semester up? Otherwise I would think they would just postpone clinicals until the all clear has been given.

Good luck

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