Do Nursing Students Get Paid for Clinicals?
As they work towards completing their nursing degrees, one question inevitably comes to mind for many students.
Will I get paid for the clinical rotations required by my program?
Do Nursing Students Get Paid for Clinicals?
Clinical rotations are generally unpaid for nursing students because they are considered part of a nurse’s formal education and training requirements, not as employment.
These clinical hours allow nursing students to gain invaluable real-world experience applying classroom knowledge to patient care settings under the supervision of licensed nurses.
You Actually Pay to Be in Clinicals
Clinical rotations are an essential part of nursing education.
All nursing students are required to complete a certain number of clinical hours in order to graduate and meet requirements to become licensed nurses.
During these clinicals, nursing students work under the supervision of an experienced nurse preceptor and apply the skills and knowledge learned in the classroom and lab to real-world patient care settings.
Clinical Requirements for Nursing Students
Clinical training requirements will vary by nursing program based on state requirements.
Based on what I’ve heard from other nursing students, it looks like hours are averaging somewhere between 1000-1200 hours.
According to the ANA, some states may allow simulated hours to count towards the requirement, but in general, you should be looking at spending a decent amount of time doing hands-on clinical experience.
Why Are Clinicals Typically Unpaid?
There are a few primary reasons that nursing clinical rotations remain unpaid in most traditional programs, including:
1. Clinicals are part of curricular requirements
The clinical hours completed are considered part of a nursing student’s required education.
Programs aim to provide a balance of didactic and clinical learning.
Unpaid clinicals allow students to immediately apply knowledge gained in lectures and labs to real patients and settings.
2. Students are there to learn
The clinical focus is on gaining hands-on skills, knowledge, and experience.
Students are present to observe, learn, and be evaluated under an instructor or preceptor – not provide labor. So wages are not part of the arrangement.
3. Legal and liability factors
I think it’s important to note that even though students are usually required to purchase liability insurance through the school, there’s an increased legal and liability risk with having students.
If you haven’t purchased liability insurance directly, it’s likely factored into your overal tuition and fees payment for the program.
Rest assured someone is paying for insurance on having students working with patients.
Tips to Manage Finances as a Nursing Student
Unpaid clinical rotations present financial challenges for many nursing students. Here are some tips to manage money during school:
1. Understand costs before committing
Get a full picture of tuition, fees, clinical expenses and living costs you will incur in nursing school. Create a budget to see if it is affordable before dedicating time to a program.
2. Apply for scholarships and grants
Look for any available financial aid, scholarships, tuition reimbursement or nursing traineeships to offset expenses. Taking out reasonable student loans may be an option too.
3. Pick up a part-time job
Consider working as a nurse aide or extern if able to balance with academics to earn wages and gain valuable experience. Just don’t compromise your studies.
4. Create a strict budget
Track spending diligently, look for ways to cut costs, and prioritize essential expenses like food, housing and transportation during school.
5. Consider cheaper housing
Moving in with family or renting rooms in group houses can reduce housing expenses. Commuting from home also cuts costs if feasible.
Key Takeaways
While the vast majority of traditional nursing school clinical hours are unpaid, the knowledge and experience gained are incredibly valuable for launching your nursing career.
With proper planning, nursing students can find affordable ways to manage clinical expenses by utilizing financial aid, budgeting carefully, and working part-time if feasible.