How far in advance do you get your class/clinical schedule?

[BiscuitStripes, BSN, RN]

I was wondering how far in advance does your program give you your class and clinical schedule? Our first semester was three non-clinical classes and we got our schedule a couple weeks before classes started. Now fall we have three classes and two clinicals and are less than 3 weeks away and we still don't have our class or clinical schedule. Wondering what is considered normal for programs.

[rnhopeful82, ASN, RN]

We have clinical lottery pick the day after our final so about 2.5 weeks prior to classes starting (we are in trimesters) but I am assuming every school will vary.

[KelRN215, BSN, RN]

When I was in college, there was only one section of each nursing course offered each semester so classes were known way in advance/when we registered. We had a general idea of when clinicals would be- for example Med Surg was only Tuesday or Thursday but didn't find out our actual clinical placements/times until the beginning of the semester, if I recall correctly.

[mindofmidwifery, ADN]

I have class starting in 3 weeks as well and we schedule our classes a couple months in advance but I just received my psych clinical assignment last week and am still waiting for my peds clinical assignment.

[oops I bradyed again]

I don't remember exactly how long we had to wait for our clinical schedule each semester, but I do remember it was usually pretty short notice. Many of my classmates complained about not being able to plan work schedules or child care in advance.

[TheDudeWithTheBigDog, ADN, RN]

It depends on the school. I get to pick mine from a few choices way earlier. Some people find out the week before they start. And there's everything in between.

It all depends on what kind of agreement your school has with the hospitals. The one around here gets so many clinical classes that every school just has specific times assigned to them and that's just what it is every year. So every school in the area generally knows exactly what their clinical schedule will be, and that's known when you sign up for classes every semester, not counting any days that they have to be rescheduled.

[stephaniej1229]

Starting in a few weeks as well and I am wondering the same thing to myself! We were told that as soon as the faculty knows, we will be informed. However with classes seeming to be creeping up so quickly I am anxious about finding out as soon as possible. Like someone else said, you would think they would factor in that many of us have to pre-plan for childcare and work. I will not be working (I am one of the lucky ones I know!) but I still need to make sure childcare can be arranged. Both of my kids are in elementary school this year and will need to make sure I have someone to get them off the bus if I am not home in time to do it myself (which will be likely on clinical days!)

Naturally there is no other option but to wait and see, but I find myself checking my email frequently looking for when they send along the information. I feel your pain.

[travel_murse]

We receive notice of our class schedule and clinical dates/locations 1 week before the next term starts. For instance, I start my next term on 8/14/2018, and we just received our schedules on Tuesday, 8/8/18.

[BiscuitStripes, BSN, RN]

Very interesting, seems like short notice is pretty common.

[elephantlover, BSN, RN]

It depends on the semester with my program. Sometimes we know a week in advance. Sometimes a month. It is very frustrating. I need to give my availability for work at least one month in advance. My schools has even changed our schedules without any notification. I am sure my experience is the exception. I have friends who completed other programs and knew a couple of months in advance.

If you want a real answer to contact someone at your nursing school or ask an older student!

[BiscuitStripes, BSN, RN]

It depends on the semester with my program. Sometimes we know a week in advance. Sometimes a month. It is very frustrating. I need to give my availability for work at least one month in advance. My schools has even changed our schedules without any notification. I am sure my experience is the exception. I have friends who completed other programs and knew a couple of months in advance.

If you want a real answer to contact someone at your nursing school or ask an older student!

It seems to change with each semester from what I can tell. I was curious if it was my program specifically or if that's how most programs are.

[squeakyclean ADN, RN]

Oh my, sounds like a lot of people are left hanging. I feel very fortunate in my program, we are able to lock in our future desired clinical spots the last week before the end of the current semester, registering for classes for the following semester is also around the same time. That being said we have a good amount of time to plan and arrange work/childcare, ect.