Milwaukee Area Technical College

Healthcare Pathway:

Associate Degree & Practical Nursing Programs

Clinical Attendance Policy (Revised 4.8.24)

The clinical attendance expectations align with Student Learning Outcome (SLO) 1 which states the student will: 

Integrate professional nursing identity reflecting integrity, responsibility, and nursing standards.

1. An occurrence is defined as being late or absent for an assigned clinical day.

2. Each time a student is late or absent, an occurrence will be documented on the clinical evaluation tool (CET) under SLO 1.  

3. Students are expected to be present in the designated area identified by the clinical instructor at the start of clinical and at the end of clinical.  

4. Students may not leave the clinical site (department, unit or simulation) without the instructor’s knowledge and permission or this will be documented as an unexcused absence.  

LATENESS

A student is considered late when they are not in the designated area at the scheduled clinical start time ready to care for assigned patient(s).

Students should follow the notification procedure as identified by the clinical instructor if they are late for clinical.

If the student informs the instructor that they will be late:

1. A verbal warning will be given and the occurrence  will be documented on the CET under SLO 1. 

2. A second late occurrence will result in a written clinical contract and a 7 under SLO 1 on the CET. 

3. A third late occurrence will warrant a second 7 under SLO 1 on the CET resulting in failure of the clinical course.

Failure to inform the instructor of lateness will result in:

1.  A written clinical contract and a 7 under SLO 1 on the CET.

2. A second late occurrence will warrant a second 7 under SLO 1 on the CET resulting in failure of the clinical course.

ABSENTEEISM

A student will be considered absent if the student is more than 30 minutes late for clinical.  Alternative assignments are required for all missed clinical time.

1. Students are expected to notify their instructor of their absence via email at least 1 hour before the clinical start time.

2. A student who experiences an infectious disease, hospitalization, or performance limitation (i.e. weight restriction for lifting) may be required to submit a medical statement from the student’s licensed health care provider clearly stating the student's ability to perform essential functions required for clinical. 

If the student informs the instructor that they will be absent, the first occurrence will be documented on the clinical evaluation tool under SLO 1 as an 8. (Score will be adjusted to a 7 if clinical make-up assignments are not completed) 

1. A second day occurrence will result in a written clinical contract and a 7 under SLO 1 on the CET. 

2. A third day occurrence will warrant a second 7 under SLO 1 on the CET resulting in failure of the clinical course.

Failure to inform the instructor of an absence will result in:

1. A written clinical contract and a 7 under SLO 1 on the CET. 

2.  A second occurrence will warrant a second 7 under SLO 1 on the CET resulting in failure of the clinical course.

ALTERNATIVE ASSIGNMENTS

Alternative assignments are required for all occurrences and will be assigned by the clinical instructor in alignment with the number of clinical hours missed. 

If the clinical instructor deems a written or online assignment as the most relevant method of meeting the clinical absence:

1. It will be due before the next clinical day of the following week or per instructor discretion.

2. Failure to complete the alternative assignment by the due date will result in a written clinical contract and a 7 under SLO 1.

An alternative assignment may include a simulation clinical make up day.  The simulation clinical make up day will not occur during the scheduled clinical hours. If assigned a simulation clinical make up day, this must be completed prior to the end of the clinical course.