Missing lab for graduation @another school?

[nurse1017]

I have a dilemma. I took so many classes while doing pre-nursing/ trying to get into a nursing school, that I accumulated enough credits to graduate this May with my associates! ������

However, I started a nursing program in January and my nursing classes start in May. If I go to the graduation I will miss a lab AND class for nursing 101 ������.

I am torn bc while nursing is my ultimate goal, no one in my family has ever graduated from a college, my parents didn't go past middle school! I worked really hard for that little associates degree!

What would you do?

[TofuSandwich, ASN, RN]

Oh this is a tough one. You worked hard and should be proud, and I'm sure your family would love to see you graduate. On the other hand, looking at the bigger picture, your current classes are more important. I would talk to your teachers and see what they say. If they don't enthusiastically say "Yes, go walk!", then I would go to class.

[rachaelofcourse]

I wouldn't go to graduation. You still get the degree, and you can always walk at your nursing program graduation/pinning. In my program, missing a lab is a huge no-no.

[shan_elle]

Lab hours are typically required and difficult to make up (if you can make them up at all) because they have to make special accommodations outside of class. Missing the first class AND lab of the nursing program may not make a good impression on the instructors either. Once you're in nursing school they pretty much expect it to be your first priority. Congrats on making it as far as you have!

[tiny_nurse]

Congratulations!!!

Maybe see if you can walk with the next graduating class? Just so you can have that opportunity and make your lab hours?

Then you will have your nursing school graduation and pinning to look forward to in the next year or so. Exciting times for you and your family!

[WanderingWilder, ASN]

I said no because it is so hard to make up time and you do have to make it up. Do you really want to start nursing already behind? We had a test every two weeks in nursing 1. I completely understanding wanting to walk and if it didn't conflict I'd say go and enjoy, but it does and if you want to graduate with your nursing degree in a couple of years I wouldn't go. You have no idea if you will get sick or something will happen out of your control that will make you miss other days. I wouldn't chance it.

[nalie2, ADN, BSN, MSN, RN, NP]

It seems like you really want to go to graduation so I would look at how many labs you can miss the whole semester. Give yourself wiggle room, don't use your absence right away if you have very few absences. For the lecture part, I would ask a classmate to send you the recording- well if someone records. In my school about half of the class records lectures so it is easy to get it from someone.

[JBudd, MSN]

Unless your faculty wholeheartedly says YES! go walk! skipping lab is a bad idea.

[ItsThatJenGirl, CNA]

Does your community college have multiple campuses? I ask because mine does, which means multiple graduation ceremonies and here you can petition to walk at any of the ceremonies.

I'm graduating in May, too and I understand how important it is to celebrate that big moment after all this hard work. If you can't find a way around it, have a small party to celebrate with your family.

Congratulations!

[jtboy29]

I understand that you've worked really hard for your associates however; this involves missing a lab and a class which is one day that can lead to many missed days because what if you get sick or something or you can't go to class later down the road. You still graduate though even if you don't walk because like all colleges you get your degree conferred depending if you've met all requirements and passed the courses and I'm assuming that you do. Plus if you go into Nursing school your parents can see you graduate formally during your pinning and graduation ceremony.

[Julius Seizure]

My nephew died when I was in nursing school, and my nursing professors didn't find his funeral a good excuse to miss class (let alone lab). I don't think you will be setting yourself up well by missing class time and lab time so early. I don't think they will think its a good reason, and you might start off by giving them a bad impression of you (even if its not fair).

[member123]

Nursing school will be an even greater accomplishment! I would say, focus on your nursing coursework. Let it be your motivation to be successful and do wonderful in nursing school.

For my associates graduation, I did not walk. However, once I received my diploma, I wore a cap and gown and took photos with my diploma and with my family, and then went out to a family dinner, to celebrate.