What should I expect during clinical's?

ThatBigGuy · Jan 21, 2015

First of all, it's absolutely possible to remain employed and be a full time nursing student. Is it recommended? Probably not, but thousands of folks have done it and succeeded. You'll just have to schedule your time very very wisely in order to get good grades, perform adequately at work, and spend enough quality time with your husband.

As far as clinicals are concerned, you likely won't know the schedule until a few weeks into each semester. That's because all you students will need to be screened and all the requirements fulfilled each semester, so that the clinical site allows you to practice there. Then the faculty have to take the final student count, split you up into manageable group sizes, assign a clinical instructor, inform HR at the clinical site, receive clearances, and then give the students their assignments.

My school let you pick between several clinical sites, and we had a top 3 choice list. Most people were able to get one of their top 3 choices, whether it was a particular clinical site, day or night shift, or day of the week. Our school was even flexible enough to let us trade spots with each other for 24 hours after clinical assignments were posted.

However, you were limited to whatever slots were available, and some folks ended up with Saturday night clinicals for Med-Surg, or giving flu vaccines at elementary schools instead of delivering babies for Parent-Child Nursing. You just have to realize that it's a very involved process to receive clinical access to sites, and that these slots are limited. Just remember, when you get a lousy clinical assignment, that nursing school is only two years. Soon, you'll be an RN and pick where you want to go.

k011408 · Jan 25, 2015

First of all, it's absolutely possible to remain employed and be a full time nursing student. Is it recommended? Probably not, but thousands of folks have done it and succeeded. You'll just have to schedule your time very very wisely in order to get good grades, perform adequately at work, and spend enough quality time with your husband.
As far as clinicals are concerned, you likely won't know the schedule until a few weeks into each semester. That's because all you students will need to be screened and all the requirements fulfilled each semester, so that the clinical site allows you to practice there. Then the faculty have to take the final student count, split you up into manageable group sizes, assign a clinical instructor, inform HR at the clinical site, receive clearances, and then give the students their assignments.
My school let you pick between several clinical sites, and we had a top 3 choice list. Most people were able to get one of their top 3 choices, whether it was a particular clinical site, day or night shift, or day of the week. Our school was even flexible enough to let us trade spots with each other for 24 hours after clinical assignments were posted.
However, you were limited to whatever slots were available, and some folks ended up with Saturday night clinicals for Med-Surg, or giving flu vaccines at elementary schools instead of delivering babies for Parent-Child Nursing. You just have to realize that it's a very involved process to receive clinical access to sites, and that these slots are limited. Just remember, when you get a lousy clinical assignment, that nursing school is only two years. Soon, you'll be an RN and pick where you want to go.

I think it also depends on your school and how they run things. Are you in a 2 year or 4 year program? We normally knew where we were going a few weeks before school starts and we go by a curriculum, so depending on what year you are will determine what specialty your clinical will cover.

Once you're assigned, you will have a regular clinical day every week (every friday for example) and like ThatBigGuy said, it can be day, evening or night shift. We didn't get to choose, instead we were placed based on our zip codes. But again, it's different for every school so you're best bet is to ask your nursing department or your adviser.

I am married, held/holding a part time job throughout the program and was/am able to manage. I don't have kids, but there is a few moms in the program who are doing good as well. Just understand that once you start the program, certain things will starting losing your attention, as you will be focusing more attention on nursing school. It does get stressful and it can be difficult, but it is 100% possible with the right mind and right attitude. You may need to jumble your schedule around and make negotiations with hubby to help with the kids when you're super busy, but I promise, it all can work.

Good luck!