Are Nursing Students Paid During Clinicals?
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Question:
Do nursing students ever get paid for their work when they are in their clinicals? It seems that the hospitals are getting unpaid workers – in fact, students are paying for the right to work! I’m not in nursing school yet, but I would think that it’s fair to get paid for work. Regards, Kristina
Answer:
Hi Kristina, that’s a good question, but you’ll probably not like the answer.
Learning how to be a nurse, whether it is a registered nurse (RN) or licensed practical nurse (LPN) requires not only classroom learning, but hands-on care as well. The only way to get the hands-on care is through on-the-job training, so to speak, otherwise called clinicals.
During clinicals, newer nursing students usually each only care for one patient at a time. The students may be given more patients – or clients – to care for as they become more confident and knowledgeable. While the nursing students are working, the nursing staff on the floor are still responsible for their patients and the nursing clinical instructors are responsible for their students. Therefore, the presence of the nursing students isn’t saving anyone any money – not the hospital nor the college.
Internships, also on-the-job training, are common in many fields and rarely are paid. Nursing isn’t unusual in this regard.
Tags: licensed practical nurse, LPN, lRegistered nurse, nursing clinicals, nursing instructors, nursing school, nursing student, RN
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