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Step 2: Finding a Preceptor and Practicum Site

The second step to your practicum journey is searching for and securing a practicum site and preceptor for your practicum courses. To do this you should

  • Know the preceptor qualifications and practicum site requirements for each course.
  • Brainstorm possible preceptor & practicum sites.
  • Communicate with potential preceptors and sites.
  • Utilize the professional preparation resources. 
  • Secure at least one preceptor & practicum site per course. 
  • Utilize the Practicum Pledge if needed.

Preceptor & Practicum Site Requirements

It is important that you understand the preceptor qualifications and practicum site requirements for your course before you start your search. Each course has its own set of requirements. If your preceptor and practicum site do not meet the requirements, your application will not be approved, and you will need to find a new preceptor and/or practicum site. Therefore, to ensure your progression is not delayed, you must ensure you understand and meet the requirements for each course and use the prescreen checklists to check if a preceptor and practicum site may be appropriate for your practicum course.  Select the course level tab to locate the list of courses to review the course requirements and access the prescreening checklist. Reminder: Here is how you can determine your program and courses. 

These courses are for those in the MSN, Post-Master's Certificate and DNP degree levels in the specialty specializations. 


Education specialization

6341: Specialty in Clinical Nursing

6351: Role of the Nurse Educator


Nursing Informatics specialization

6461: Capstone Synthesis Practicum 


Nurse Executive specialization

6600: Capstone Synthesis Practicum


Public Health specialization

6720: Population-Based Public Health Nursing Interventions

6730: Public Health Nursing Leadership

These courses are for those in the MSN, Post-Master's Certificate and DNP degree levels in the nurse practitioner specializations. 

Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP) specialization

6566: Advanced Care of Adults in Acute Settings I Practicum

6540: Advanced Practice Care of Older Adults Practicum

6550: Advanced Practice Care of Adults in Acute Settings II Practicum

6560: Advanced Care of Adults in Acute Settings III Practicum

 

 

Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (ACPCNP) specialization

6540: Advanced Practice Care of Older Adults Practicum

6531: Primary Care of Adults Across the Lifespan Practicum

6552: Advanced Nurse Practice in Reproductive Health Care Practicum

6565: Synthesis in Advanced Nursing Practice of Patients in Primary Care Settings Practicum

 

Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) specialization

6531: Primary Care of Adults Across the Lifespan Practicum

6541: Primary Care of Adolescents and Children Practicum

6552: Advanced Nurse Practice in Reproductive Health Care Practicum

6553: Advanced Nurse Practice in Obstetric Health Care Practicum

6568: Synthesis in Advanced Nursing Practice of Patients in Family Care Settings

 

Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP) specialization

6810: Advanced Pediatric Nursing Practicum I: Primary Care

6820: Advanced Pediatric Nursing Practicum II: Complex Care

6830: Advanced Pediatric Nursing Practicum III: Specialty Care

6840: Advanced Pediatric Nursing Practicum IV: Synthesis Care

 

Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) specialization 

6635: Psychopathology and Diagnostic Reasoning

6645: Psychotherapy With Multiple Modalities

6665: Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Care Across the Lifespan I

6675: Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Care Across the Lifespan II

Preceptorship Prescreen Checklists

Specialty Masters Level Courses

6341: Specialty in Clinical Nursing

6351: Role of the Nurse Educator

6461: Capstone Synthesis Practicum 

6600: Capstone Synthesis Practicum

6720: Population-Based Public Health Nursing Interventions

6730: Public Health Nursing Leadership

NP Masters Level Courses

6566: Advanced Care of Adults in Acute Settings I Practicum

6540: Advanced Practice Care of Older Adults Practicum

6550: Advanced Practice Care of Adults in Acute Settings II Practicum

6560: Advanced Care of Adults in Acute Settings III Practicum

6540: Advanced Practice Care of Older Adults Practicum

6531: Primary Care of Adults Across the Lifespan Practicum

6552: Advanced Nurse Practice in Reproductive Health Care Practicum

6565: Synthesis in Advanced Nursing Practice of Patients in Primary Care Settings Practicum

6531: Primary Care of Adults Across the Lifespan Practicum

6541: Primary Care of Adolescents and Children Practicum

6552: Advanced Nurse Practice in Reproductive Health Care Practicum

6553: Advanced Nurse Practice in Obstetric Health Care Practicum

6568: Synthesis in Advanced Nursing Practice of Patients in Family Care Settings

6810: Advanced Pediatric Nursing Practicum I: Primary Care

6820: Advanced Pediatric Nursing Practicum II: Complex Care

6830: Advanced Pediatric Nursing Practicum III: Specialty Care

6840: Advanced Pediatric Nursing Practicum IV: Synthesis Care

6635: Psychopathology and Diagnostic Reasoning

6645: Psychotherapy With Multiple Modalities

6665: Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Care Across the Lifespan I

6675: Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Care Across the Lifespan II

Doctorate Level Courses

8312:  Leading Quality Improvement Initiatives 

8502: Evidence-Based Practice I

8503: Evidence-Based Practice II

8504: Evidence-Based Practice for the Executive Leader I

8505: Evidence-Based Practice for the Executive Leader II

8512:  DNP Project and Practicum I 

8513:  DNP Project and Practicum II 

8514:  Executive Leadership DNP Project and Practicum I 

8515:  Executive Leadership DNP Project and Practicum II  

8601: DNP Field Experience

Undergraduate Level Courses

NURS 4210/4211: Role of the Nurse Leader in Population Health (Tempo Learning PH 4001-4005)

NURS 4220/4221: Leadership Competencies in Nursing and Healthcare (Tempo Learning LC 4001–4005)

NURS 4300/4301: BSN Capstone

Brainstorm Possible Preceptors and Practicum Sites

Utilize Professional Preparation Resources

These Professional Preparation resources may assist you in your search for a practicum site. They may also help in your future job search. 

Approach your practicum site and preceptor search with the same diligence you would in looking for a job.

Information to Provide to Prospective Preceptors & Sites

It will be important to communicate your program's requirements with your prospective practicum sites to ensure that they can meet your needs. You should review the Practicum Manual to ensure that you are prepared to effectively communicate the requirements. Below are some resources that might be helpful to provide as well.

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