Question about how clinicals work

[Lanntis, BSN]

Hello, I'm new here on the forums. I am currently finishing up my pre reqs working towards getting into nursing school next year in Florida (not a state I plan to stay in afterwards). Just Microbiology left this semester! Straight A's so far, but not easy!

I have what is probably a dumb question that came to me tonight while I was looking through class schedules at my university's nursing program "plans of study".

How does the clinical portion of nursing school work? Do you have any control over which shift you take/ your schedule (like you do when you are working as an RN)?

My circadian rhythms have always been very wired to "night owl" and it's extremely hard for me to sleep before 2-3 a.m. I'm getting the notion that nursing schools (in general?) are designed to force clinicals to start at ungodly hours -- 0600-0700 a.m.

I plan on working 2nd or 3rd shifts as a nurse, I was kind of hoping I could attend classes in the 10:30-9:00 p.m. time frame and thus clinical days could be lined up accordingly with this. Am I being naive? Nursing school must always be a 6 am wake up call with no flexibility to accommodate different lifestyles?

Please forgive if I sound like a prima donna (not trying to be) but I'm in one of my deep thought holes of angst tonight. I'm an older non traditional career changer who has built my life around afternoon/evening hours at work/school/play. I'm unsure if I can force an early morning lifestyle on my body at this point.

I'm looking into multiple programs but if anyone knows any specific details about FSU or UCF those are the most likely options for me. If I fail to gain admission, I plan to move from FL back to CA or WA (or maybe another state if there are schools that fit what I need out there)?

Thanks for any comments, advice, anecdotes and ideas. I'm looking into multiple programs but if anyone knows any specific details about FSU or UCF those are the most likely options for me. If I fail to gain admission, I plan to move from FL back to CA or WA (or maybe another state if there are schools that fit what I need out there)? Sorry for the long post!

[NICUismylife, ADN, BSN, RN]

This will vary by school, I know there are a few "alterative" type programs out there that have night classes and clinical days on weekends for those who need a non-traditional schedule. But I believe even those will require early mornings. The latest clinic start I had was for my psych rotation, which started at 8, and that was just a small segment of my clinicals. Most start somewhere between 0600-0700. And could go as long as 13 hours. I don't think you can get around early morning clinical days...

[Lanntis, BSN]

Does anyone else have some experience they can share with me? I've been reading through threads over various years, and it seems there are some folks (probably long gone from these forums) that spoke of their programs having preference sheets each semester to help somewhat with flexibility. I forgot to add in my long first post that there is also the matter of my partner and toddlers. Does anyone know of some of these BSN programs (2nd degree seekers) whether full or part time that at least can schedule you in the afternoons if not the evenings?

Thanks all.

[kalycat, BSN, RN]

I went to a school that had clinical on all three shifts for the hospital based rotations, because you worked with one nurse and followed his/her schedule like a preceptorship. I was also able to do my final practicum on nightshift, which was awesome.

For psych, geriatrics, and community health it was all day shift/early morning clinicals.

Fwiw, I went to a 4 year university that was closely affiliated with the local teaching hospital/trauma center. The nurses from the hospital who precepted volunteered and were compensated both by the hospital and the university, which is unusual from what I gather. Your experience may vary based on the type of program you attend. Good luck!

[pmabraham, BSN, RN]

Good day:

You are asking a good question, but the question source needs to be asked. Each school is different. At our school, it varies by semester in terms of the # of clinical days. Early one, we had to state would be free for two days, then the school would pick one of them for clinicals. In the 3rd and 4th semesters, we had to give them four days for which they picked two days; and there are times we don't know our clinical schedule until the week of classes. So I recommend asking the school you are applying.