Clinical Absenteeism

Clinical attendance is mandatory! 

This includes attendance at all clinical agency placement/orientation/simulation days. Unavoidably absent students must follow the guidelines below:

• The student must contact the unit and inform the charge nurse that they will be absent. Document the time of the message and the name of the person the message was left with. This should be communicated to the clinical supervisor via email.

• The student is expected to notify the clinical supervisor of an absence by telephone or email (predetermined by the clinical supervisor) as soon as possible, no later than one hour before the beginning of the shift.

• Absent students should expect to complete all clinical preparation assignments. This may include evidence of research into the diagnosis, medications, related lab and other diagnostic tests, assessment criteria and clinical practice in the practice lab.

• A student who is absent for 1 day will receive a written warning on the Missed Practicum Hours form found in Appendix C.

• If the student misses a second clinical day, they will receive a Memo of Concern and will need to develop a Collaborative Success plan with their Clinical Supervisor.

• A student who is absent for three clinical days will receive a grade of Unsatisfactory as they are unable to meet the conditions of the collaborative success plan.

• All students must meet the Learning Outcomes. A student who is unable to meet the Learning Outcomes as a result of absenteeism will be given an Unsatisfactory grade, regardless of the situation.

Clinical Supervisor Absences:

• Clinical supervisors are responsible to inform the students, hospital/agency unit, and the College (Clinical Coordinator, Program Manager, and School of Health Sciences Chair) of any absences from the clinical/practicum setting in a timely manner. Clinical supervisors should contact the Clinical Coordinator to discuss strategies to address any missed hours.