Late to clinical

Nursing Students General Students

Published

I was late to clinical for the first time and it devastating. My alarm didn't go off and when I finally woke up, I woke up at the exact time clinical starts. So I got ready as fast as I can and because of how far my clinical site was, it took me an hr and half to get there and with traffic, so I was late by 2 hrs. My clinical instructor said that she's going to have to report it/note it because she wants to set an example to the other students in our group so that they'll know they can't get away with coming late and told me to make sure to not come late ever again. This is my first time being late and it's my second semester. I know now I will have multiple alarms set to wake myself up. I just feel extremely bad this happened and it's been days but I'm still hurting.

Specializes in ICU/community health/school nursing.

In the real world you're late for a shift - if it's not often - a coworker will pick up your slack, just like you picked his/hers up last week. Nursing school isn't the real world. As previous posters said...you seem contrite and bent on it not happening again. Good luck!

0 Votes

Instructors have heard every excuse in the book for tardiness or absenteeism, most of them honest and sincere, but also some complete and total BS. While they might seem really severe, I think most instructors do want their students to succeed, so they have to come off pretty serious about it so that there is no chance of it becoming a pattern. Sounds like this is a one-off and not a big deal in the big picture.

0 Votes

Have multiple alarms in different locations.

I have my alarm clock next to me, and multiple alarms set on my cell phone that I place somewhere across the room. This way, I physically have to WAKE UP, GET UP, and WALK over to my phone to turn it off. Otherwise, it will keep ringing until I do so.

0 Votes

I came late for my clinical 2 hours due to my family emergency. I forgot to turn on my cellphone on, so when my buddy in clinical group called me, I didn't know. I also forgot to call for my instructor, so I ended up with Due process report. It was a bitter lesson to learn for me. ;(

0 Votes

Please don't stress! Things happen like that when you become an RN and you're not going to lose your licence over it. People have got their shifts mixed up and not realised they're working. Lots of people sleep in. Some have nearly arrived at the hospital and realised they still have their slippers on, so rang the unit and arrived when they could.

It's not being lazy or disorganised if it's a one-off. You'll be fine! Just set your alarm really loud, and maybe even put it out of arms reach so you have to get up!!!!

I actually even know a newly qualified doctor who showed up late to work on her first day!!!!

0 Votes
Specializes in Pediatric/Adult Oncology.

You're human. a huge part of being a nurse is adapting and adapting to stress. how you respond to this will say more than the fact that you were late. Professors have a standard to uphold but one tardy arrival won't throw off your whole career, that is, if you don't let it. its bound to happen in real life too. As a practicing RN I have been late to work as a result of traffic that I had no control over even when I left with plenty of time. Just be transparent. Own your mistake. Correct and make a plan so that it doesn't happen again. No biggie!

0 Votes
+ Add a Comment