Missing Clincials??

justme1972 · Apr 23, 2007

I would just talk to your instructors...but keep in mind that you have already missed a few clinicals.

The papers that I got for my nursing program this Fall were very clear that we were given 2 miss dates per semester, and they have to be associated with a death, illness of ourselves or our children...that's it.

Advance arrangements could be made to make up a clinical, but you had to plan at least two weeks in advance, but the CONDITION of getting planned make-up dates was perfect attendance in class AND in clinical

AnnaN5 · Apr 23, 2007

I think it really depends on the program and their policy. I am in an accelerated program so our clinical rotations only last 6 weeks. We were told that we could miss 1 clinical day but they give you an make-up assignment that takes about 10 hours to do which discourages you from ever missing again. They say that if you miss a 2nd time that you are really jeopardizing your chances of passing.

We usually only have 1 group of students on weekend clinicals, all of which are students that volunteered to take those days. Unfortunately there was a clinical instructor scheduling problem for the rotation we are starting next week and there will be a 2nd group on Sat/Sun. I am one of the students in that second group who will be stuck on Sat/Sun for this 6 weeks and I will be missing a wedding that I am supposed to be in the second weekend of May.

WestWingFan · Apr 29, 2007

I understand your situation. I have clinicals every Saturday/Sunday mornings from 6:45am to 1:45 pm for the next two years. My son will make his first holy communion during my final sememster--- I don't know what the heck I'm going to do---- how can I miss my own child's first holy communion?

Editing--- I just did a little research and found out our holy communions are staggered (a few kids every sunday-- kind of weird) but the final kids are mid-May,so I shouldn't have a problem getting him into that one (and classes are finished for the semester by then) so, ignore my post

But, I still understand--- my cousin asked me to be her maid of honor a few months ago--- and I was worried about clinicals. Luckily she started talking about a Friday night wedding, and I was really hoping she'd do that. The wedding has since been called off though.

Montessori Mommy · Apr 29, 2007

The best thing to do is approach your instructor very early in the semester and explain the situation. My school is great at making accomodations because they understand that you can't put your whole life on hold just because you are in nursing school. While we are not allowed to miss a clinical, we are given opportunities to make up any we have to miss. One of the best aspects of my program is that every instructor is a wife and/or mother. They are very, very understanding - as long as you don't abuse the situation!

WDWpixieRN, RN · Apr 29, 2007

have you tried calling the school now to get an idea if there are even saturday clinical hours? my school runs m - fri -- period. my weekends are my own, but i understand each college has its own program/policies.

if i were you, i'd be making that phone call now. you'll avoid any misunderstandings later on and you'll be able to make a truly informed decision about how to handle this before you're in the thick of school, labs, tests, etc.

i know you don't want to miss the wedding, but i know you'd also hate to put the bride out by deciding to back out at the last minute.

good luck!!

TexasPediRN · Apr 29, 2007

Just a thought..

There are different clinical schedules at each school. Some students could have clinical Mon/Wed, others Sat/Sun. If you let the instructor know in advance, you may be able to switch a day with another student or schedule a make up day.

My advice? At the first clinical take the instructor aside and address this - so that it doesnt come as a suprise when you say " I need to have this day off- I have a previous commitment to my sister to be in her wedding". Ask what you can do, if you are able to switch a day with another student or if you could schedule a make up day.

However, you may get your clinical schedule and realize you dont even have clinicals scheduled for that day!

But as others have pointed out, be prepared - nursing school is going to come first. However, that does not mean you cant have a life. You just learn to plan your life around nursing school. I work at least 24 hours a week, saw my fiance on the weekends, visited with friends, etc. You can have a life, as long as you work around your school schedule!

Good luck, and have a great time at the wedding!

-Meghan

midcom · Apr 30, 2007

Most programs will work with you if you need to miss for a very good reason & especially if you let them know well in advance. I think being in a wedding is a pretty good reason.

We had the option to sign up for a Friday/Saturday clinical next term. If it had been any other term, I'd probably have jumped at the chance, however, my son is getting married & we will have rehearsal dinner on Friday & the wedding on Saturday. I plan to let my teacher know that I cannot be in a clinical group that meets on Friday and I know they'll accomodate my needs. I may have to be in a morning clinical, and I prefer the afternoon/evening hours,but it's a small price to pay to keep peace in my family.

By the way, the Fri/Sat clinical probably won't happen. I believe only 2 students were interested.

Dixie