Clinical Attendance and Punctuality Expectations
Consistent and timely attendance in clinical, skills, and simulation lab experiences is essential for successful completion of the Nursing Program. Clinical attendance and timeliness are mandatory. These experiences are critical for the development of clinical judgment, technical skill, and professional behavior.
Students may have up to two excused absences per course, and all missed clinical days must be made up. Three (3) or more missed clinical, skills, or simulation days in a single course, whether excused or unexcused, may result in course failure at the discretion of the course instructor and nursing administration. Twenty (20) points will be deducted from the clinical evaluation grade for tardiness or each unexcused absence. Proper clinical preparation, dress code adherence, and appropriate use of nursing equipment are required.
Transportation to Clinical Sites
Transportation to and from clinical sites is solely the responsibility of the student. Students are expected to plan ahead and arrange reliable transportation to ensure timely arrival to clinical assignments. Students must arrive on-site at least 15 minutes prior to the start of clinical pre-conference. Carpooling is encouraged when possible to minimize parking congestion and promote punctuality.
Parking policies vary by clinical agency and are determined by each individual facility. Clinical instructors or faculty will inform students of parking arrangements and expectations prior to the start of the clinical rotation. Students are expected to follow all posted parking regulations and facility guidelines to maintain a professional relationship with the clinical site.
Punctuality Expectations
Students are required to arrive on-site at least 15 minutes prior to the start of clinical pre-conference. Clinical and lab experiences begin promptly at the assigned time. Students are expected to be fully present, prepared, and ready to participate at the designated start time.
Late is late. There is no grace period for clinical, lab, or simulation experiences. Any student arriving after the designated start time will be considered tardy.
Late arrival—defined as arriving after the clinical or lab experience has begun—will result in:
● A verbal warning
● The student being sent home for the day
● The day counted as a missed clinical/lab experience, subject to the make-up policy
Missed clinical or lab time must be made up if clinical space is available. If the required clinical/lab hours are not completed, the student may not pass the course.
Absence Notification and Requirements
All absences and tardiness must be reported directly to the course instructor. Failure to appropriately notify the instructor may result in the absence being considered unexcused.
All absences must be reported at least one hour prior to the scheduled start time.
For skills/simulation lab absences or tardiness, notify the assigned nursing faculty and lab instructor via official Ogeechee Technical College student email.
For clinical absences or tardiness, notify the clinical instructor via phone call to the provided number at least one hour prior to the start of the shift and follow up with an email using the official
Ogeechee Technical College student email account to the instructor’s OTC email address.
Determination of whether an absence or tardiness is considered excused or unexcused is at the discretion of the course instructor and nursing administration.
Unexcused Absences and No Call/No Show
Any unexcused absence will result in a clinical or lab warning/write-up. More than one unexcused absence may result in course failure. A “no call, no show” for any clinical or skills/simulation lab experience will result in an immediate clinical warning/write-up. More than one “no call, no show” may result in dismissal from the course.
Clinical and Lab Make-Up Policy
All missed clinical or lab experiences must be made up. Make-up days at clinical sites are not guaranteed due to space and agency constraints. If a student is unable to complete required clinical/lab hours, they may not meet course objectives and therefore may not pass the course.
Excused Absences
Excused absences will be limited to extenuating circumstances, including but not limited to:
● Death of an immediate family member
● Personal illness requiring documentation from a licensed healthcare provider
● Other significant life events as determined at the discretion of the course instructor, Program Director, and/or Dean for Academic Affairs.
Students are expected to schedule routine appointments, travel, and other personal obligations outside of scheduled program commitments.