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Clinical Attendance and Punctuality Expectations

Consistent and timely attendance in clinical, skills, and simulation lab experiences is essential for successful completion of the Practical Nursing Program. Clinical attendance and timeliness are mandatory. These experiences are critical for the development of clinical judgment, technical skill, and professional behavior.  
 
All missed clinical days must be made up. Fifteen (15) 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.
 
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. 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, subject to the make-up guidelines
  • Fifteen (15) point deduction from the daily clinical evaluation

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. 

The date of the makeup will be determined by the Nursing Clinical Coordinator or PN faculty in approval with the clinical facility administration. The student may be re-scheduled on weekends and breaks. Shifts may be 8 hours, 10 hours or 12 hours and may take place Monday – Saturday.  Failure to make-up a missed clinical day may result in an Incomplete, or failing grade, for the course.  
 
Absence Notification and Requirements 
All absences must be reported at least one hour prior to the start time. 
 
For skills/sim lab absences notify the assigned nursing faculty and lab instructor via your official Ogeechee Technical College email. 

For clinical absences notify the PN faculty and Nursing Clinical Coordinator via phone call to the provided number at least one hour prior to the start of the shift and follow up with an email to the instructor’s OTC email address. 

Clinical and Lab Make-Up Guidelines 

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 requires documentation
  • Personal illness requiring documentation from a licensed healthcare provider (Hospitalization, positive COVID, positive FLU)
  • Jury duty requires documentation
  • Military service requires documentation
  • Court appearance required documentation
  • Other significant life events may be excused at the discretion of the Program Director and the Dean for Health Sciences 

Students are expected to schedule routine appointments, travel, and other personal obligations outside of scheduled program commitments. Excused absences require clinical makeup.

Unexcused Clinical Absences

This policy establishes clear, consistent, and defensible disciplinary actions for unexcused clinical absences in the Practical Nursing program, in alignment with Georgia Board of Nursing expectations and best practices for patient safety and professional accountability.

The Georgia Board of Nursing requires practical nursing students to successfully complete all clinical learning objectives and required clinical hours to graduate from an approved program. Failure to meet clinical attendance expectations compromises program outcomes and eligibility for licensure.

Definition: An unexcused Clinical Absence is any clinical absence that does not meet excused criteria, lacks documentation, or is not reported according to program policy.

Attendance Expectations

Clinical attendance is mandatory. Students are expected to attend all scheduled clinical experiences, arrive on time, remain for the full clinical shift, and comply with all notification procedures.

Progressive Disciplinary Actions

First Unexcused Absence: Written warning and mandatory conference.

Second Unexcused Absence: Clinical probation.

Third Unexcused Absence: Dismissal from the Practical Nursing program.

Zero-Tolerance Violations

The following may result in immediate dismissal: failure to report without notification (“no call, no show”), leaving clinical without permission, falsifying attendance records, or exceeding absences preventing completion of required hours.

Clinical Make-Up Policy

Make-up clinical time is not guaranteed and may be permitted only for excused absences at faculty discretion.Simulation experiences may not replace required clinical hours beyond regulatory limits.

Appeals

Students dismissed under this policy may follow the institution’s formal appeals process. Documentation of all disciplinary actions will be maintained.