I'm sick, but should I miss clinical?

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I caught a stomach bug last week, and started having symptoms Thursday night. Since Thursday I've had awful nausea, and diarrhea. I can't really eat, medicine isn't helping. I've lost ten pounds. So today I had a test and couldn't miss class. I did "okay" but I was really weak. After I left class and was driving home I didn't make it to a bathroom in time :(. I've had to run to the bathroom 10+ times since I left class. It's eased off a little but I'm still nauseated and when I drink a sip of anything I have to run to the bathroom. My instructor told me to see how I feel in the morning and if I can't make it to just call her. Considering my "accident" today should I risk it? I feel terrible. Clinical tomorrow is just shadowing a nurse at a health department for 5 hours.

I stayed home today, hopefully it will go away soon. Thanks everyone for the replies.

I hope you are feeling better, hon!! Rest and Relaxation!! Keep us posted!

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Specializes in Hospitalist Medicine.
I stayed home today, hopefully it will go away soon. Thanks everyone for the replies.

Hope you got some good rest and that you're feeling better soon!

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Specializes in ER.

That is one thing I hated. Schools put so much emphasis on clinicals we're terrified to miss.

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Specializes in critical care.
That is one thing I hated. Schools put so much emphasis on clinicals we're terrified to miss.

Oh boy do I agree with this wholeheartedly!!!!! My kids got strep twice the first half of this semester. The first time, I got it with them and missed a day. This was my internship, which meant I was not allowed to substitute assignments for any of the missed clinical hours (we needed to log 126). I quite literally panicked the second time they got sick. I sent the most anxiety-ridden email to my instructor after being up with my kid at 3:30 in the morning while he was puking. The next time I saw my instructor, the very first thing he said to me was, "you need to stop and breathe. We will figure this out if the time comes." I was terrified! This is my last semester. I can't fail out now! It ended well, though. I got my 126 in just barely. The anxiety was genuinely overwhelming, though.

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Specializes in Urgent Care, Oncology.

I would still go to the doctor and get some kind of note, even if just for confirmation, to cover your butt. Like someone mentioned before, you have to have a certain number of hours. Get something in writing from your instructors as well. I would hope no one would want to screw you over but I'd be prepared just in case.

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Feel better first. If you go to the clinical in that situation, it's good for nothing.

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Specializes in Pedi.

It's probably something like Norovirus and the clinical site will NOT want you there. These kinds of illnesses were the only illnesses where my employers demanded that you not work and not come back to work until 72 hrs after recovery from symptoms. They spread so rapidly.

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