Nursing instructor gave a Warning for being late to first day of clinicals despite emailing her? What should I do?

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Hey guys. I'm currently in my second semester of nursing school (trad BSN program).

Yesterday was my first day of my maternal-health nursing clinicals as I was in the NICU. The clinicals started at 6:30 and because of a family situation (had to drop off my sister bc there was no one to give her a ride to school), I knew I was going to be late, so I emailed my instructor at 6:09 AM. However, her rule is she only takes calls before 6:15, which I completely forgot. So I arrived 6:55.. Bc of my anxiety, I called my mom then called the professor. We met at 7:10.

Told her my situation...she said that it wasn't an emergency, how I was unprofessional, how I had only had to call, how I would lose my license if I was really working, how I should feel sorry for myself bc I need to make myself a priority, how I didn't communicate accordingly. I apologized several times & told her that I was never late last term, she told me she didn't want to hear it.

So she gave me an Unmet. And if I get two, I have a risk of failing the course. I don't know what to do bc it's not like I didn't communicate & there was no way I could just leave my sis at home. One of my friends had a similar situation & was late 40 mins, however her professor just gave her a talk because it was the first day & warned her to not let it happen again.

Any advice? I've been thinking about it since as maternal nursing is one of my highest nursing interests. I'm worried.

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She was clearly pissed and borderline inappropriate. You wouldn't lose your license over this. That's ridiculous. That being said you're off to a bad start with this one. The bets I can offer you is to keep your head down, do what she asks, be an exemplary student and don't be late again...ever!

Also, you need to have a frank discussion with your mother. You cannot take on parental responsibilities that put you in this kind of position.

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Specializes in Adult Primary Care.

Exactly what Wuzzie said. Your family needs to come up with plans A,B and C. Best of luck to you.

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Specializes in Geriatrics, Dialysis.

Well saying you could lose your license is over the top ridiculous. I mean really, have you ever heard of any licensed professional losing their license because they were late to work? That's just a silly threat that makes it's difficult to take the rest of her comments in context.

On the other hand, you were admittedly late. In real world nursing stuff happens and being late occasionally isn't usually a big deal. School however is no where near real world nursing as you will eventually find out for yourself. In the school setting being late for a clinical is a very big deal unless and sometimes even if you have a great reason for being late. Providing a ride to school for your sister isn't a great reason by the way. What you should do is humbly accept that warning, apologize profusely and make darn sure it doesn't happen again.

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And everyone is suprised when nurses are worried about losing their licenses for anything/everything.

She was right that it wasn't an emergency and probably wasn't impressed with the email (generally speaking that is not an appropriate way to give a notice of anything under a 24-48 hr time span or so - - people just don't check their email that often). In real life if you emailed someone or even left a VM about being late to work, you would likely be written up.

She went overboard in conveying her disapproval; the way she talked to you was disrespectful and unnecessary and is an example of how not to behave when you need to correct someone.

Work hard to form a rapport with her - but not by trying to kiss up; that for sure won't work. Get there on time, be prepared, show initiative and interest. Use your most excellent communication skills.

Good luck ??

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Just don't be late anymore. Make it clear with your family that being late can fail you out of school. You getting there is just as important as your sister getting to her school. Refuse to risk being late. She's not your responsibility. With a teacher that responded the way yours did, it's just not worth the risk. It sounds mean, but you're not going to become a nurse by driving her to school, you have to let yourself be your priority. Everyone else can wait until you have the time. Don't take it as being selfish, you have a lot to lose.

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Specializes in Tele, ICU, Staff Development.

Agree with all the other posters.

I'm an educator, not in clinicals, but in acute care. If I had a new hire show up a half hour late for Orientation the first day, I would definitely have concerns.

It's up to you to change her first impression of you and show her how reliable and conscientious you really are.

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Specializes in Med-Surg.

The instructor could have handled it more professionally for sure. No you wouldn't lose your licence for being late to work, you might lose your job if it happened enough but not your licence. You already know you shouldn't have emailed her, but I'm not surprised she did accept driving your sister as an excuse for being late. Nursing instructors don't even accept it when its your own kid. We were told during orientation to have a back up plan to our back up plan for our kids.

Don't be late again, plan to be early to make sure you are never late again. Don't make the same mistake twice and you will be alright.

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Specializes in Psych/Mental Health.

If you treat clinical like this (showing up late for entirely non-emergent situation), I can't picture what you will be like as a working RN. Showing up late to work is a huge pet peeve of mine because every minute the next-shift RN is late, I have to stay longer. Sorry to be harsh but you deserved the warning.

Just don't be late. If driving your family around is more important than clinical, drop out of the program. Everyone else shows up on time, why should you be the exception?

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Ah nursing school... don't you love it? I disagree with a lot of commenters on here. She shouldn't have gotten angry if you gave an excuse. **** happens. That's the problem with nursing culture, they expect you to be on time for everything no matter what... even if your family dies in a car accident, they still expect you to show up to work on time, mentally stable, and prepared to work a 12 hour shift. It's ridiculous, honestly. And don't get me started on their absence policy... you can't even have the flu without them warning you that you're at risk of being kicked out of the program.

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On 2/1/2019 at 8:09 PM, misskayy said:

Ah nursing school... don't you love it? I disagree with a lot of commenters on here. She shouldn't have gotten angry if you gave an excuse. **** happens. That's the problem with nursing culture, they expect you to be on time for everything no matter what... even if your family dies in a car accident, they still expect you to show up to work on time, mentally stable, and prepared to work a 12 hour shift. It's ridiculous, honestly. And don't get me started on their absence policy... you can't even have the flu without them warning you that you're at risk of being kicked out of the program.

Yeah, you literally have to put the patients at risk to show up for clinical with the flu because the attendance policy is that strict.

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12 minutes ago, tonyl1234 said:

Yeah, you literally have to put the patients at risk to show up for clinical with the flu because the attendance policy is that strict.

Right! But then they'll also tell you "Please don't come to clinical if you're sick... just stay home, please" *face palm*

Luckily, my immune system has strengthened since I've started nursing school. I no longer have to worry about missing clinical due to illness.

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