Need advice about clinical

vintagemother, BSN, CNA, LVN, RN · Oct 2, 2014

I think they might understand. However, at least at my school, it wasn't just about understanding. There had to be a way to schedule in make up hrs if you missed.

The problems at my school were that 1) clinical sites can only accept a certain number of students, so if you try to do make ups with another group, the teacher might be over her limits.

2) make ups were hard to fit in because our regular schedule was 8 hrs days x 5 days per week. The only way to make up was by doing 12 hrs days- 8 at your regular site and 4 at the otter. Well, after we did this our dean said it violates employment law. Same thing that she said when clinical instructors offered to work their lunch for us to do make ups (we'd bring them coffee or lunch when they did this)

3) it's the board of nursing that specifies the number of clinical hours reqd and some schools (mine) only scheduled us for 1 day per qtr of clinical time over the minimum required. The reason doesn't matter-excused or I excused.

I do think you have a good reason to miss school and I hope you get better soon!

stunurse2015 · Oct 2, 2014

With that temp and diagnosis in my student nurse opinion I would go to the doc now so that way you could possibly still make clinic tomorrow. Also have you informed your program about your issue? Most of the time they just hate being surprised after the fact, I would shoot someone an email to keep them informed

Ps hope you feel better soon

studentnursemon86 · Oct 2, 2014

Thanks. They do a paper form of clinical for make up. We do 8 hour clinicals once a week for 12 weeks.

I am concerned about making it up. I am short of breath and my heart is racing. The temp is 101.1 after the ibuprofen and I can't take more for another 3 hours.

So I know that if I go she will most likely send me home since I look ill. I'm pale and diaphoretic, febrile and so on... It wouldn't be safe to exposed patients to whatever I have.

stunurse2015 · Oct 2, 2014

I've always had the motto of go in sick so they know you're not lying but I know in health care it's not realistic I would just keep them informed as much as possible.

studentnursemon86 · Oct 2, 2014

If my husband gets home and my heart rate and blood pressure are still as high as they are, then I will be going to the ER anyway.

I'm sure they will give me a note as proof( plus my professor is my instructor and she saw me today). She knows about the INH and the side effects.

I just don't want to get dropped from the program.

Despite all of this my grades are up (I have a high B).

stunurse2015 · Oct 2, 2014

I would just follow all the guidelines in your nursing handbook and hopefully you don't fall too far behind. The handbook should also have some guidelines on readmission to the program should you need it

studentnursemon86 · Oct 2, 2014

Thanks.

Yeah the guidelines say specifically not to come if you are ill with a fever.

This is my first (and hopefully only) missed clinical, so I think it will be ok.

I will do whatever I can to make it up.

stunurse2015 · Oct 2, 2014

That's good that you are putting school as a priority but don't forget to take care of yourself too!

studentnursemon86 · Oct 8, 2014

Update: turned out it was strep and I can't take Tylenol for the fevers because of meds I'm on for being exposed for TB. I was out of commission for the whole weekend.

My instructor was so nice! She gave me some work to do and I did it as soon as I could. All caught up and hopefully will never miss a clinical day again.

Thanks everyone for the advice and support :)

classicdame, MSN, EdD · Oct 9, 2014

it really does not matter if the instructor understands, as they have to abide by school policy. The important thing is to stabilize your health, then worry about school later. It will be ok if you have to withdraw for a term. Stressing out over school will not help you heal faster. I hope you are better soon!

caliotter3 · Oct 9, 2014

I was rattled one morning when on the way to clinical I almost met my Maker when another driver on the highway thought that his car should be in my lane instead of my car at 80 miles an hour. By the time I got to my destination I was almost ready for a trip to the ER myself. My clinical instructor gave me hell and sent me to the floor. I do not think she understood that 20 minutes to compose myself might have been helpful to both myself and my assigned patients. You sound too sick to work from my standpoint, but I see you running into a problem with being able to continue in clinical if you don't turn into "bright, chipper, and 100% healthy" overnight. Maybe missing one day will be enough, maybe it will lead to your downfall. You have to call the shots on this one and be prepared for the results. Good luck.