Treat Clinical Time with Respect

BeachsideRN, ASN · Jul 11, 2015

Skipping clinical? That's definitely not an option in my program! You will fail. I have seen students that get NA/Tech positions then come to clinical thinking they "know it all" though.

Personally, I love my clinical time and I want to learn as much as possible. I do get frustrated at times though, when the nursing staff is super swamped they typically want the students out of the way or they ask us to do things that we cannot do because we haven't done them in skills lab or aren't skills for our level - then we have to decline they get frustrated. I always try to say, "We aren't allowed to do XYZ, but is there anything else I can do to help?" ... At times, I wish my clinical experience was more structured. Maybe it will be as I progress through the program. We shall see.

SopranoKris, MSN, RN, NP · Jul 11, 2015

Skipping clinicals was grounds for dismissal in the program I went to.

NurseGirl525, ASN, RN · Jul 11, 2015

What the heck are you talking about? Your post makes no sense. Are you saying that students who are techs and CNAs skip clinical because they know this stuff? And it what world can students skip clinical? If a student does not have the clinical hours required by the BON in their state, they cannot sit for NCLEX.

Missing clinical time gets you dropped from the program I am in. If you are late, don't even bother coming in. I also have yet to attend a clinical where my group was nothing but respectful. Clinical sites are difficult for schools to come by and there is never time allotted to make up the hours.

Me thinks someone is trying to stir the pot here. Your post is confusing, but from what I am gathering from it, that doesn't really seem feasible. If people miss clinical, they fail, they can't sit for NCLEX. Those guidelines are set forth by each school, based on guidelines from the BON.

nurseprnRN, BSN, RN · Jul 11, 2015

I'll probably get "flamed" for this post but it would be lovely for students to treat clinicals with appreciation and respect. I've had more students decide being a nurse assistant at hospital X worth skipping clinical. If you want to be a professional nurse- come see me.

Are you really a nurse or ever been a nursing student? This does not compute.

MFaf · Jul 11, 2015

Yes-I've been a nurse for nearly 30 years. I teach undergrads. Students are allowed one absence from clinical (for life- sick, car break down, whatever) with a makeup required. A number of students take their one absence to go to nurse assistant orientation. I'm just tired of seeing people who want to be a nurse assistant at some hospital more than learning to be a professional nurse in their clinicals.

Purple_roses · Jul 11, 2015

Why would we flame you for stating that students should take clinicals seriously? I'm not sure what you're asking...or wanting to talk about. Can you clarify?

noelly10 · Jul 11, 2015

Yes-I've been a nurse for nearly 30 years. I teach undergrads. Students are allowed one absence from clinical (for life- sick, car break down, whatever) with a makeup required. A number of students take their one absence to go to nurse assistant orientation. I'm just tired of seeing people who want to be a nurse assistant at some hospital more than learning to be a professional nurse in their clinicals.

Being a nurse assistant is a good foot in the door. If thats the only time available for their orientation and they can make up clinical, why not? The objective of nursing school is to get a job after graduation. I say this with respect, but while some don't treat clinical respect as you speak, some simply want their foot in the door, or some might need somewhat of a paycheck while they are in school. Being a nursing assistant is a good job to have while in nursing school because the hospitals are usually more flexible and can work around their school schedule.

Purple_roses · Jul 11, 2015

Yes-I've been a nurse for nearly 30 years. I teach undergrads. Students are allowed one absence from clinical (for life- sick, car break down, whatever) with a makeup required. A number of students take their one absence to go to nurse assistant orientation. I'm just tired of seeing people who want to be a nurse assistant at some hospital more than learning to be a professional nurse in their clinicals.

At least they aren't sitting around eating bonbons. I don't think this represents a lackadaisical attitude toward clinicals. I skipped a class last semester (not clinicals granted) to get blood work done--between school and work, I couldn't find time for this. Doesn't mean I didn't appreciate the class or take it seriously.

NurseGirl525, ASN, RN · Jul 12, 2015

So, they are allowed one a absence and they use it to help their career and you are upset? Why? They are using it to their advantage. They get to make it up so what is the big deal? You should be happy they are using it for nursing instead of missing to go shopping or do nothing. Although, that is their choice if they want because the program says they are allowed.

Everline · Jul 12, 2015

When I was in nursing school we were allowed one absence per clinical rotation. In our case, we didn't need to make this up because it was set up for us to have enough hours even with missing one day. We followed the appropriate call in procedure to let our clinical instructor know we wouldn't be in. Just about everyone took the one day off at some point during the semester and yes, sometimes this was related to CNA or tech work obligations. Some people took their one day before a major exam so they could get more study time in. I don't get the problem. We all took our clinical time very seriously and worked hard. Taking the one day off that we were allotted didn't mean we lacked appreciation or respect.

BeachsideRN, ASN · Jul 12, 2015

Yes-I've been a nurse for nearly 30 years. I teach undergrads. Students are allowed one absence from clinical (for life- sick, car break down, whatever) with a makeup required. A number of students take their one absence to go to nurse assistant orientation. I'm just tired of seeing people who want to be a nurse assistant at some hospital more than learning to be a professional nurse in their clinicals.

Honestly, if I were allowed an absence by my school (which for some clinical experiences, I am) and I were to land a job as a nurse tech and orientation was on a clinical day I certainly would use my allowed absence for that purpose. I think it's ridiculous that you think that a student missing an "allowed" absence for job orientation is a bad thing. I'm more upset when classmates don't come to clinical because a boy was mean to them - but they can use their absence as they choose so if that's what they choose so be it.