Nursing Practicum Manual:

Section 2.1 BSN Program and Practicum Requirements

In the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN-BSN) Completion7 Program, current registered nurses (RNs) who have a diploma or associate degree in nursing are provided with the opportunity to earn a BSN degree.

Walden’s Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)–accredited RN-BSN completion program is structured to support and equip RNs with specialized skills and current knowledge they can apply on the job immediately.

The Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program is offered in two different learning modalities: the course-based modality and the competency-based modality, Tempo Learning®.

BSN Program – Students with a Catalog Year Beginning Summer 2024 

Students must schedule a phone appointment with their Student Success Advisor or Academic Coach early in their program to develop their degree plan and understand their required practicum course(s), the required prerequisite courses, practicum requirements, when they plan to take the practicum course(s), and the appropriate practicum application deadline(s).   

Students must complete the required prerequisite courses and follow the course sequence policy before being eligible or approved for a practicum course. Students will not be approved for a practicum course if the prerequisite course(s) has not been successfully completed, if the student is not currently enrolled in the prerequisite course(s), or if the student is applying for a practicum course that is against the course sequence policy. Prerequisite courses are required to be completed before practicum courses because the learning objectives must be mastered prior to proceeding to the next course. Students cannot take two practicum courses in the same term if they have not completed the required prerequisite course(s) or if it is against the course sequence policy. Students can review prerequisite courses and any course sequence policy for practicum courses in the Walden University Catalog at https://academics.waldenu.edu/catalog/nursing   <INTERNAL NOTE: INSERT THIS LINK HERE> 

Students must go through the appeal process in Meditrek in order to appeal the ability to waive a prerequisite course for a practicum course, take a practicum course out of order, waive a course sequence policy, waive a prerequisite course to take two practicum courses during the same term, or waive the course sequence policy to take two practicum courses during the same term. The ability to appeal a policy does not guarantee an appeal will be granted. To initiate the appeal process, students must request an appeal link and code through their Advisor/Coach or by emailing the Office of Field Experience at nursingfield@mail.waldenu.edu. Upon a request from a student, the Advisor/Coach or the Field Experience Coordinator will email instructions and a code for the student to submit their appeal in Meditrek accordingly. Students must review the Appeal Policy in Section 5 of this manual. <INTERNAL NOTE: INSERT LINK TO THE APPEAL POLICY IN SECTION 5 HERE>   

Students must identify and secure a preceptor and practicum site for their practicum experience.  Students must determine whether the preceptorship meets the requirements for the preceptor and practicum site. Students should utilize Preceptorship Prescreen Checklists for the practicum course to check if a preceptor and practicum site may be appropriate for the practicum course prior to submitting a practicum application. 

Once a preceptor and practicum site are secured, students must submit a practicum application in Meditrek to nominate the preceptor and practicum site. Instructions on the Practicum Approval Process are described in Section 4 <INTERNAL NOTE: INSERT LINK TO SECTION 4 HERE> in this Practicum Manual. Prior to approval, the nominated preceptor’s licensure and certification (if applicable) is reviewed and verified; the Preceptor Commitment Form is reviewed and processed; and the preceptor’s credentials and qualifications are reviewed and evaluated by the Office of Field Experience. The faculty and Program Coordinator gives final approval of preceptorship nominees. Approval of the preceptor is based on the criteria outlined in this section. 

Approval of the preceptor and practicum site must occur prior to the student starting the practicum course and completing practicum hours. Students cannot begin completing and logging practicum hours until their practicum application is fully approved in Meditrek, they are enrolled in the course, it is after the first day of the term, and they have received approval from their Walden faculty instructor to begin the practicum experience.

Some state boards of nursing have specific requirements for preceptors and practicum.  Students must review the regulations of their state board of nursing for specific practicum requirements of preceptors to ensure students are meeting their state board of nursing requirements along with Walden requirements for preceptorships. For example, Alaska, Arizona, Florida, Pennsylvania, and Texas have specific requirements for Nurse Practitioner preceptors that restrict certain practitioners as preceptors for nurse practitioner courses.

Students must go through the appeal process in Meditrek to appeal any practicum policy, including policies related to practicum site and/or preceptor requirements or to appeal a closure of a practicum application. Students must review the Appeal Policy and Process for practicum in Section 5 <INTERNAL NOTE: INSERT LINK TO THE APPEAL POLICY IN SECTION 5 HERE> of this manual. 

Students should contact the Office of Field Experience with questions about requirements of preceptors and practicum sites.

Practicum Site Requirements 

To finalize their education, students must have an opportunity to apply their acquired knowledge, concepts, and skills during required practicum experiences. To do this, students may need to travel to a setting for their practicum experience. Students should consider their career goals after graduation when they are choosing a practicum site. They must match their practicum setting that they nominate with their goals and within the specific requirements of the course. Practicum sites must offer an experience that meets the requirements of the specialization and the practicum course. The general requirements for all practicum courses for practicum sites are as follows:   

• The practicum site must either have a valid affiliation agreement with Walden University that specifically covers your program or be willing to finalize an affiliation agreement with Walden University. The Office of Field Experience will contact a nominated practicum site to establish an agreement after a practicum application is submitted in Meditrek if Walden does not currently have an affiliation agreement with the practicum site. 
• The practicum site must abide by the terms and conditions outlined in the affiliation agreement. 
• The practicum site must employ the preceptor or be owned by the preceptor. 
• The practicum site must be located in a state or country where Walden University is authorized to enroll students and approve practicum for the student’s program. Students should review the list of states and countries that are restricted for enrollment and practicum on the List of Restricted States for practicum. 
• The practicum site must not be a private residential home setting because students are not permitted to go to private residential home settings of patients or preceptors for practicum experiences. 
• The practicum site must not be an agency that conducts home visits because students are not permitted to go to private homes for home visits. 
• The practicum site must operate at a physical location that is owned or leased by the site with a physical address that belongs to the site.  Addresses for a post office box, virtual office, co-working facility, or rental mailboxes are not acceptable. 
• The practicum site cannot be owned or operated by the student.  
• The practicum site must be willing to support you with opportunities to complete required practicum activities for the practicum course.
• The practicum site must meet the specific requirements for the practicum course. See the “Practicum Course Requirements for Practicum Sites & Preceptors” section for requirements.   <INTERNAL NOTE: Insert a link to the “Practicum Couse Requirements for Practicum Sites & Preceptors” subsection, which is in this section below> 

Practicum Site Placement and Onboarding Process:   

Students must follow the appropriate procedure at the practicum site to secure a practicum rotation by the site’s deadline, complete onboarding processes required by the site, and understand the practicum site requirements prior to beginning the practicum. If a practicum site requires a placement and/or rotation process or requires an affiliation agreement prior to assigning a student a preceptor, students must follow procedures described in the section titled Sites that Require a Placement Process or Affiliation Agreement Before Preceptor Assignment.  <INTERNAL NOTE: Insert a link to this section with this title in Section 4> 

State Restrictions for Practicum Sites:    

Walden University is not authorized to provide educational experiences in every state or country for all nursing programs. Students must review this list of states and countries with restrictions for enrollment and practicum approval:  Restricted States - Restricted States for Practicum.   The Office of Field Experience cannot approve practicum applications in states or countries listed on this list under any circumstance. This policy cannot be appealed.

Student’s Place of Employment for Practicum Site:  

Students may complete the practicum where they work, assuming the facility is appropriate for their area of specialization and meets the requirements for the specific practicum course. However, their practicum experience must be:

• Completed in a different setting outside of their current work department/unit;
• Completed outside of their normal working hours;
• Not under the direction of a preceptor who reports to them; and
• Not under the direction of a preceptor who is their immediate supervisor or manager.

Students’ employment at their nominated practicum site does not guarantee that an Affiliation Agreement can be reached between Walden University and the site. Regardless of employment status at the nominated practicum site, an Affiliation Agreement and onboarding are required for all students as required by the practicum site and/or Walden University.

Students who wish to conduct their practicum at their place of employment should be aware that change of employment before or during their practicum may interfere with their ability to complete their practicum experience at the site. Students must email nursingfield@mail.waldenu.edu immediately upon a change of employment status.

Preceptor Requirement

Preceptors must be academically and experientially qualified to serve as a preceptor. Preceptors must meet the preceptor requirements to be eligible to be approved as a preceptor. Once a preceptor is identified, students must communicate with their potential preceptor and determine if the individual meets the requirements for their practicum course. Students should only nominate preceptors who meet the preceptor requirements for practicum. 

Preceptor Requirements – General Requirements: 

• The preceptor must hold the required academic degree that meets the requirements of the course; profession; licensure; certification; and is in a field related to the role and focus of the practicum experience.    
  • Undergraduate level courses: The preceptor must hold a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree or higher.
  • Master’s level courses: The preceptor must hold a master’s or doctoral degree. 
  • Doctoral level courses: The preceptor must hold a master’s or doctoral degree, but a doctoral degree is preferred.    
• The preceptor must hold an active and unencumbered license to practice in the specialization in the state or country where the practicum experience will occur for licensed preceptors.    
• The preceptor must meet the specific licensure, certification, and/or board-certification requirements for the specialization and practicum course. See the “Practicum Course Requirements for Practicum Sites & Preceptors” section for requirements.   <INTERNAL NOTE: Insert a link to the “Practicum Couse Requirements for Practicum Sites & Preceptors” subsection, which is in this section below> 
• The preceptor must have a minimum of 1 year of postgraduate unsupervised experience in the area of specialization for the practicum course. For licensed practitioners, the 1 year of experience is based upon the original date of licensure for the specialization. 
• The preceptor holds a current position and role that is relevant to the specialization, relevant to the focus of the practicum experience, and meets the requirements of the course.  
• The preceptor is a current employee of the practicum site at the practicum site location.
• The preceptor nominee is not the student’s relative, family member, fiancé, roommate, significant other, personal friend, primary care provider, and does not have any other relationship that would create an actual or perceived conflict of interest.
• The preceptor is not the student’s supervisor/manager, employee, or direct report.   
• The preceptor is not a current Walden University nursing student. 
• The preceptor is not precepting other students during the same time they plan to precept you during your practicum experience because preceptors must only precept one student for direct supervision at any given time.   
• The preceptor is able and willing to commit to the preceptor role for the duration of the practicum experience.
• The preceptor must meet the specific requirements for the program, specialization, and practicum course. See the “Practicum Course Requirements for Practicum Sites & Preceptors” section for requirements.   <INTERNAL NOTE: Insert a link to the “Practicum Couse Requirements for Practicum Sites & Preceptors” subsection, which is in this section below> 

This section includes requirements for practicum sites and preceptors for each practicum course for each specialization. Students must review these requirements for each practicum course along with the general requirements for practicum sites and general requirements for preceptors, which are listed above, when securing a preceptor and practicum site.

NOTE: The examples listed under nonacceptable site options and nonacceptable preceptor options are not an exhaustive list of what is considered nonacceptable. Students should focus on the site and preceptor options that are listed as acceptable when searching for a practicum site and preceptor.  

BSN Program – Students with a Catalog Year Beginning Summer 2024

Preceptor-to-Student Ratio

Walden requires preceptors to have an onsite preceptor-to-student ratio of 1:1 for direct supervision at any given time. Students are only permitted to complete practicum hours under 1:1 direct supervision by their approved preceptor. Walden will only approve a preceptor to precept students during the same term that guarantees a 1:1 preceptor to student ratio for direct supervision at any given time. While Walden may approve up to two Walden University students per term with the same preceptor under limited conditions, the preceptor must maintain the 1:1 direct supervision at any given time. The preceptor must only precept one student for direct supervision at any given time. Students are not to count practicum activities, hours, or patients if they are with other students during their practicum experiences. The purpose of this standard is to ensure that students have quality learning experience. 

The Office of Field Experience reviews, approves, and monitors applications for nominated preceptors in order that applications are submitted. It is highly recommended that upon securing a preceptor, students submit their application in Meditrek immediately because applications are processed based on the submission date. Practicum applications will be closed, and preceptors will not be approved for students if a nominated preceptor has met the maximum number of students for which they can precept during the term.

Supplemental Preceptorships

Students may need additional preceptorships in order to meet all the requirements for the course including completing all the required practicum hours, practicum activities, course objectives, or other practicum requirements. Students needing to complete practicum at multiple practicum sites and/or with multiple preceptors to meet the requirements of the practicum course, have the option to nominate multiple practicum sites and/or preceptors as a supplemental preceptorship by submitting a supplemental application, provided the supplemental site and preceptor meets the requirements. Supplemental applications must be submitted by the application deadline. Students who need to submit a supplemental application for a supplemental site or preceptor after the application deadline or during the term, students must go through the waitlist process to submit a waitlist application.  Supplemental applications go through the same review process as other applications and the same policies and requirements apply. Supplemental applications must be approved in Meditrek prior to students beginning their hours and practicum experience.   

Change of Practicum Site and/or Preceptor

<INTERNAL NOTE: Insert a link to this section with the same title in Section 4>

Practicum courses and practicum experiences assist a student’s transition from the learner role to that of scholar-practitioner. To achieve this transition, students develop and engage in a mentoring relationship with a practicum faculty instructor and an approved preceptor at a practicum site, focusing on roles and role functions; the achievement of learning objectives; and the completion of practicum activities. Practicum courses are designed to be the capstone experience for students. The practicum experience requires students to apply the knowledge, concepts, and skills that they have acquired in their didactic courses during their program of study particularly in relation to their specialization. The primary objective of the practicum is to guide students to focus on their role and integrate new knowledge into practice to become scholar-practitioners after graduation. 

Practicum is an onsite practicum experience completed in person at an approved practicum site with an approved preceptor. Students must become intimately familiar with this Practicum Manual and adhere to the policies and procedures within. The practicum process is collegial, with the recognition that students are adult learners who are capable of critical self-reflection, open to constructive feedback, and responsible for their own learning.   

Students may NOT begin any practicum hours or practicum activities with the preceptor or at the practicum site before (a) the start of the term, (b) they receive practicum application approval in Meditrek from the Office of Field Experience, (c) they are registered/enrolled in the practicum course, and (d) they receive approval from the faculty instructor for the practicum course once the course begins. Students cannot begin completing practicum hours or logging practicum hours until these conditions have been met.     

Students must only complete practicum hours and practicum activities only with preceptors at practicum sites as approved in Meditrek. Practicum hours or practicum activities completed with a preceptor or at a site other than what was identified in an approved practicum application will be rejected and students will be required to repeat the hours. Students completing practicum hours with an unapproved preceptor or at an unapproved practicum site will be subject to a Code of Conduct inquiry and may result in disciplinary action, including but not limited to course failure and permanent dismissal from the university. For more information about the Code of Conduct, refer to the Walden University Student Handbook: Code of Conduct section.    

All approved preceptors must complete the responsibilities of preceptors to include signing of time logs in Meditrek, calls with faculty, and completion of practicum evaluations in Meditrek as outlined in Section 1 of this manual. It is the student’s responsibility to ensure their approved preceptor has access to Meditrek, signs time logs in Meditrek, and completes practicum evaluations in Meditrek.    

Once students begin their practicum course, they are supervised and evaluated by a Walden practicum course faculty instructor as outlined in Section 1 of this manual. Practicum course faculty instructors grade student coursework and, in general, return student written work within Walden guidelines, and issue the final grade. Practicum faculty instructors also maintain contact with preceptors and students to determine whether student learning needs are being met by their practicums, as well as to monitor student progress. This process includes the preceptor providing feedback by completing a midterm and final evaluation. Faculty instructors review the preceptor’s evaluation and provide final grading for the course. Students must consult with the faculty instructor for the practicum course by phone, videoconference, or email about their progress throughout the term as stipulated in the course syllabus.  

Students must review more information on how to be successful in practicum courses on the Course Success webpage on the Field Experience website.

Students must go through the appeal process through Meditrek to appeal any practicum policy, including policies related to practicum course requirements. Students must review the Appeal Policy and Process for practicum in Section 5 of this manual.   <INTERNAL NOTE: Insert link to the Appeal Policy in Section 5>

Practicum Orientation and Training

Students must review and complete the following orientation and training prior to beginning their practicum experience once they are approved for practicum and registered in a practicum course.   

• Orientation:  Practicum Orientation for Students 
• Training:  Guide to Professional Presence, Communication, and Conduct in Field Experience
• Course Success:  Webpage for Course Success

Practicum Hours  

Students must complete all required practicum hours for each practicum course by completing required practicum activities by the posted deadline. Practicum hours must be completed onsite at the approved practicum site location with the approved preceptor. The required practicum hours for each practicum course are listed under the Practicum Courses <INTERNAL NOTE: Insert a link to the “Practicum Courses” section at the top of Section 2> section in this manual.  

Students must complete the required practicum hours by the posted deadline for the course and term and enter time logs in Meditrek to document practicum hours by following directions in this manual for Time Logs. <INTERNAL NOTE: Insert link to the Time Log Section in Section 2>

• Course-Based Courses: Students must complete practicum hours by the posted deadline.
  • Undergraduate Courses: Students must complete practicum hours by Week 6 of the term. 
  • Nurse Practitioner Courses: Students must complete practicum hours by Week 10 of the term. Practicum hours must be completed over a duration of no less than 8 weeks to ensure exposure to a wide range of practicum and patient experiences.  Students may complete and log up to 12 hours a day if not working the same day. Any student doing practicum hours on a day they work are not to exceed a maximum of 16 hours, combined, for work and practicum hours.
• Tempo-Based Courses: Practicum approval is valid for 13 weeks from the start date of the term for the approved practicum application. Students can complete practicum hours anytime within this 13-week period, but students should complete practicum hours by the end of this 13-week approval period. While there is no minimum number of weeks required to complete the practicum activities and hours; students may progress at a pace that aligns with their schedule and learning objectives as agreed upon with their preceptor and faculty instructor. The 13-week approval period begins at the start date of the practicum term and not the first day the student begins practicum hours. Practicum hours must be documented in Meditrek in time logs by midnight on the last day of the 13-week approval period. Students who must complete practicum hours after the 13-week approval period must go through the Remedial Application process. Students must follow directions for Remedial Applications outlined in the Practicum Application Process section. <INTERNAL NOTE: Insert link to SECTION 4>

Students are only to complete practicum hours and practicum activities with approved preceptors at the location of the practicum site that have been approved by the Office of Field Experience in Meditrek. Students who complete or log practicum hours with an unapproved preceptor and/or practicum site will have the hours rejected and the hours will not count toward the practicum requirements of the course; and be subject to a Code of Conduct inquiry, which may result in disciplinary action.    

Practicum hours are specific to the course and the term. Practicum hours cannot be carried over to a different term or practicum course if a student withdraws, drops a course, or fails a course.  

Students must contact their faculty instructor for the practicum course if they are unable to complete the required practicum hours by the deadline to discuss possible options, which will be dependent upon a variety of factors including how many hours are completed, time left in the term, and the plan to complete the remaining hours. 

Practicum Activities  

Students must satisfactorily complete all the required practicum activities and course assignments of their practicum course(s) in accordance with the information provided in this manual and the course syllabus. Students complete the classroom didactic portion of the course online and complete practicum activities with the approved preceptor(s) at the approved practicum site(s).

All practicum activities must be under the direction of the approved preceptor(s) at the approved location for the practicum site. Students are only permitted to complete practicum hours under 1:1 direct supervision by their approved preceptor. Students are not to count practicum activities or practicum hours if they are with other students during their practicum experiences. 

The following practicum activities count toward required practicum hours:

Practicum Activities for NURS 4300/4301:

• Collection and/or review of data 
• Library research  
• Preceptor collaboration  
• Interdisciplinary/shareholder collaboration  
• Faculty collaboration  
• Review of articles  
• Writing and/or refinement of project/paper/presentation  
• Planning of project  
• Presentation practice  
• Project presentation  

The practicum course NURS 4300/4301, requires 100 practicum hours. Of the 100 practicum hours, 40 of the practicum hours must be met interfacing directly with the preceptor and the remaining 60 practicum hours will be completed by completing practicum activities. Interface activities may include the on-site meetings, preceptor collaboration, data collection, project planning, and project presentation. Students must maintain ongoing communication with the approved preceptor regarding the project and any activities related to completion of the project. Students must communicate with their preceptor regarding their practicum activities and practicum hours. Students must abide by all timelines and requirements outlined in the Course Syllabus when enrolled in the course.

Practicum Activities for NURS 4220/4221:

• Activities that are directly related to the completion of practicum goals and objectives
• Meetings about the potential project with professionals, in the community and work, or other practicum settings
• Attendance at meetings related to the project in the community or other practicum settings
• Meetings with preceptor to discuss project during course
• Presentation of project to preceptor and other professionals during the practicum 
• Preparation of all materials directly related to completion of the practicum
• Participating in course practicum Discussions with Faculty

The following activities do not count towards required practicum hours:   

• Travel time related to and from practicum activities
• Breaks, Lunch breaks, Meal breaks
• Assignments related to the didactic portion of the course
• Entering logs in Meditrek
• Formal orientation or training required by the practicum site for onboarding
• Continuing education that is not required of the practicum course
• Communication (e.g., emails, phone calls), unless conferencing or doing project related communications
• Direct patient care (Except for NURS 6341)
• Other activities determined as inappropriate by the practicum course faculty instructor

Using Meditrek, students keep time logs to document their practicum hours and the time they spend on practicum activities. Students are required to keep a truthful and accurate log of the time and hours they spend doing practicum activities.

Students are responsible for ensuring time logs are entered correctly and accurately. Students must ensure logs are accurate and correct by selecting the correct course, term, faculty instructor, site, and preceptor. Students are only able to enter logs on or after the date the preceptor was approved in Meditrek. Students may make changes and edit logs until either the preceptor and/or faculty instructor signs the logs in Meditrek. Once the time logs are signed by either the preceptor or faculty instructor, they cannot be changed or edited by students. Students who mistakenly enter logs incorrectly and the logs are signed, must contact the Office of Field Experience to invalidate the logs, and then the student must enter new time logs with the correct information. The Office of Field Experience is unable to edit or backdate logs after the term ends. Students must enter their logs in Meditrek by the deadline because the logs get locked at the end of the term.  Students will NOT be able to enter or edit logs beginning Monday of the next term. Students will lose practicum hours if they are not logged in Meditrek by the end of the term.   

Preceptors and faculty instructors must validate time logs and sign off on time logs by the end of the course after the completion of hours. In order to successfully pass a practicum course, the time logs must be accepted by the preceptor and the faculty instructor. Preceptors and/or faculty instructors may reject logs in Meditrek that are inaccurate, duplicative, or do not meet course requirements. Students may be subject to academic integrity inquiries through the Code of Conduct process for inaccurate, incorrect, and/or duplicative logs. 

Students are responsible for ensuring the preceptor signs off on the time logs in Meditrek. Students are NOT permitted to sign off on time logs on behalf of preceptors. Preceptor designees and site administrative staff are not permitted to sign off on time logs on behalf of the preceptor. 

Required Information in Time Logs: 

Students must enter the required information in Time Logs in Meditrek within the required deadline:

• Undergraduate Course 4300/4301: Time logs must be entered in Meditrek within one week of completing the hours. All Time Logs must be entered in Meditrek no later than the last week of the course.  Time logs must include the following: Student’s Name, Course, Project Focus, Practicum Faculty Instructor Name, Preceptor Name, Site Name, Date, Time, Activities/Comments, Learning Objectives Addressed, and Activities Completed.
• Nurse Practitioner Courses: Time logs must be entered in Meditrek within 48 hours of completing the hours. Time logs must include the following: Student’s Name, Course, Practicum Faculty Instructor Name, Preceptor Name, Site Name, Level of Care, Date and Time. 
• Master Specialty Courses: Time logs must be entered in Meditrek within one week of completing the hours. Time logs must include the following: Student’s Name, Course, Practicum Faculty Instructor Name, Preceptor Name, Site Name, Date, Time, Activities/Comments, Learning Objectives Addressed, and Course Outcomes Addressed.     
• DNP Courses: Time logs must be entered in Meditrek within one week of completing the hours. Time logs must include the following: Student’s Name, Course, Practicum Faculty Instructor Name, Preceptor Name, Site Name, Date, Time, Learning Objectives Addressed, and Domain and Competency Addressed. Students must submit a comprehensive list of all practicum activities they completed each day in the “Student Learning Objectives” box in their time log.     

Timeline for Logs in Meditrek: 

• Timeline for Practicum Sites and Preceptors Programmed in Logs: Preceptors and practicum sites are programmed in Meditrek and will start to populate in the drop-down boxes in logs by the end of the first week of the term. If your preceptor or site does not populate in the drop-down box during the first week, track your logs manually until your preceptor and site display in the drop-down box in Meditrek. Do not enter logs under another practicum site or preceptor. After the first week, if your preceptor or site does not populate in the logs and it has been over one week since your application has been approved, send an email to nursingfield@mail.waldenu.edu to check on the status of your preceptor or site getting added to the logs. Preceptors and sites are added to logs every Friday once the course begins; if an application is approved after the term begins, the preceptor and site will be added to the logs by the end of the day on Friday.        

• Timeline for Preceptors and Meditrek Account Information: 
  • Course-Based Courses: Preceptors are emailed their Meditrek credentials by the end of the second week of the term. Preceptors use their Meditrek credentials to sign off on time logs and complete evaluations. Preceptors who have not received their Meditrek credentials are encouraged to check their spam/junk email folders for an email from support@meditrek.com.  Students can send the preceptor an email with their Meditrek account information in their practicum application in Meditrek. Steps for students to send their preceptor an email with their Meditrek credentials can be found on the Course Success webpage. Preceptors should send an email to nursingfield@mail.waldenu.com from their work-issued email if they experience issues receiving the email from Meditrek. 
  • Tempo-Based Courses: Preceptors are emailed their Meditrek credentials by the end of the second week of the term. Preceptors use their Meditrek credentials to sign off on time logs and complete evaluations. Preceptors who have not received their Meditrek credentials are encouraged to check their spam/junk email folders or submit a request for credentials to be re-sent by completing the Meditrek Credentials Request Form.

• Timeline for Logs to be Entered in Meditrek: All time log entries must be entered in Meditrek by the posted deadline and by the end of the course. Students who submit logs after the deadline are subject to the course late penalty policies.  

• Course-Based Courses: Students must enter time logs in Meditrek by the deadline listed above. All logs must be entered in Meditrek no later than Week 10 for graduate courses and Week 6 for undergraduate courses. Students who submit logs after the deadline are subject to the course late penalty policies. Students who are approved by faculty to log practicum hours after the deadline must enter time logs in Meditrek by the end of day on the Sunday before the next term begins. Students will not be able to enter or edit time log entries after midnight on the Sunday before the first day of the next term. Students who receive a grade of Incomplete (I) for the course and must complete practicum hours after the next term begins, must go through the Remedial Application process. Students must follow directions for Remedial Applications described in the Practicum Approval Process section. <INTERNAL NOTE: Insert link to Section 4>

• Tempo-Based Courses: Students must enter time logs Meditrek by the end of the practicum experience. Practicum approval is valid for 13 weeks from the start date of the term for the approved practicum application. The 13-week approval period begins at the start date of the practicum term and not the first day the student begins practicum hours. Time log entries must be entered in Meditrek by midnight on the last day of the 13-week approval period. Students will not be able to enter or edit time log entries after the 13-week period. Students who must complete practicum hours after the 13-week approval period must go through the Remedial Application process. Students must follow directions for Remedial Applications described in the Practicum Application Process section. <INTERNAL NOTE: Insert link to Section 4>

Concerns regarding truthfulness or accuracy of Meditrek logs or preceptor approval of Meditrek logs will result in a Code of Conduct inquiry. Students found to have falsified their Meditrek logs or preceptor approval of Meditrek logs will be subject to disciplinary action, including but not limited to course failure and permanent dismissal from the university. The findings from the Code of Conduct inquiry may also be reported to the student’s state board of nursing. For more information about the Code of Conduct, refer to the Walden University Student Handbook: Code of Conduct section.

Preceptor Communications

Communications are a collaborative process among the faculty instructor, preceptor, and student.

Faculty instructors will contact the preceptor via email.

The communication is intended to ensure that:

• The practicum goals are being addressed.
• Students and preceptors understand the key points of the practicum experience.
• Review learning objectives for the course.
• Review the students’ schedule to ensure practicum hours and requirements are able to be met.
• An opportunity for questions is provided.
• Share contact information. 
• Problems are identified and addressed.

Some state boards of nursing have additional requirements for collaboration and communication with preceptors.  For practicum experiences occurring in the state of Washington, the Washington Board of Nursing (WA BON) requires the preceptor, faculty instructor, and the student confer at the beginning, midpoint, and at the end of each practicum experience. Students completing practicum in the state of Washington must work in partnership with their faculty instructor to facilitate these three contacts.

Walden expects that the practicum experience will allow students to focus on developing and expanding their advanced level competencies through experiential learning. This allows students the opportunity to develop and strengthen skills, apply knowledge, and integrate a range of skills into a coherent professional identity.

Students set specific goals for the practicum experiences that are consistent with their professional preparation and coursework. These goals inform the evaluation of their competencies at the end of the practicum. 

During the practicum course, students formulate Individualized Learning Objectives that they want to achieve during their practicum experience; these objectives are based on their previous assignments, practicum experiences, practice setting, course objectives, and interests. As students approach the practicum, they should reflect on their coursework and identify two to three areas in which they feel the need for further growth or with which they might want application-level experience. The Individualized Learning Objectives may build upon each other through program progression; however, the Individualized Learning Objectives and areas of identified growth must be different between each practicum course as students need new Learning Objectives and areas of growth for each practicum course.  

Students should discuss their ideas for Learning Objectives that they identify with their preceptors and determine if the necessary resources are available at their practicum sites. Students then prepare a set of measurable Learning Objectives that specify what they seek to achieve during their practicum experience. These objectives must be approved by the practicum course faculty instructor.

Students must follow the timeline and instructions for the Learning Objectives as outlined in the Course Syllabus once enrolled in the practicum course.

Here are examples of Learning Objectives by specialization:  

• Nurse Executive Specialization: Students may develop objectives to gain more experience with the budget analysis process.
• Nursing Education Specialization: Students may develop objectives to gain more experience in the use of simulation in nursing education. 
• Nursing Informatics Specialization: Students may develop objectives to gain experience preparing a request for proposal (RFP).
• Public Health Specialization: Students may develop objectives to gain experience in data collection and community assessment.
• MBA & MSN Dual Degree: Students may develop objectives to gain experience in financial management within a healthcare organization.
• Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Specialization: Students may develop objectives to manage complex, high acuity patients with multiple comorbidities.  
• Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner Specialization: Students may develop objectives to manage care of older adults with complex health issues in primary care settings. 
• Family Nurse Practitioner Specialization: Students may develop objectives to manage chronic conditions across the lifespan. 
• Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Specialization: Students may develop objectives to manage chronic conditions of pediatric patients in primary care settings. 
• Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Specialization: Students may develop objectives to manage medications to effectively manage psychiatric conditions. 
• DNP – Traditional & NP Specializations: Students may develop objectives to explore leadership strategies that support teamwork at the point of care.
• DNP – Executive Leadership: Students may develop objectives to explore leadership strategies that support meeting quality measures at the organizational level.
• BSN: Students may develop objectives that reflect their focus on either a practice problem in quality and safety or in population health.

The practicum project is an active learning experience that provides students with the opportunity to apply their theoretical knowledge and skills gained through the coursework to real-world practicum experience by designing a practice change project within a healthcare setting, equipping them with the necessary skills to lead quality improvement initiatives and contribute to positive patient outcomes. The practicum project serves as a vital step in preparing registered nurses to transition into a more advanced practice role with a BSN degree with leadership and quality improvement skills in a diverse patient population. 

This practicum is designed to help students develop as scholar-practitioners and health leaders to promote positive social change in their own community and in healthcare. With the support from a preceptor, as well as guidance from the practicum faculty instructor, students will apply the concepts and skills they have acquired in their coursework to health problems in healthcare. The purpose of the practicum project is to allow students the opportunity to develop their skills through evaluation of data, collaboration, planning, and project development. Students gain valuable leadership and advocacy skills while working on the project. 

Throughout the practicum experience, students will collaborate with their approved preceptor, faculty instructor, and other students in the online Discussion Group. Students will collaborate with their approved preceptor to assess, plan, and evaluate their project plan. The faculty instructor and preceptor will provide feedback on the student’s project as they work on the project during the practicum experience.    

Students are also encouraged to interact and collaborate with interprofessional team members at the practicum site that have experience related to the focus of the project. Collaborating with their preceptor, practicum site personnel, healthcare professionals, professional experts, and community members will be the key to a successful practicum and project. Students are expected to be prepared to interact in a professional, respectful manner with their preceptor and other professionals during the practicum experience.  

The faculty instructor will approve the student’s proposed project concept at the beginning of the practicum course. The practicum course has specific activities or reflections students will engage in during their practicum as they complete their project. Students must follow all instructions outlined in the course syllabus for the project, practicum assignments, and learning objectives for the project. 

The key aspects of the practicum project are as follows: 

• Bridges Theory and Practice: Students connect the theoretical knowledge learned in their coursework and apply it to real healthcare issues addressing issues within their practice area. 
• Evidence-based Practice Integration: Students are expected to utilize research and data to support their project, demonstrating critical thinking and informed decision-making skills.
• Leadership Development: Students will develop and apply leadership strategies in developing and proposing a change initiative project. 
• Collaboration with Preceptors: Experienced nurses serve as preceptors, guiding students through the project process, providing feedback, and supporting their development. 
• Interprofessional Communication: Students focus on the development of communication skills while interacting and collaborating with professionals on the project.   

The key components of the practicum project are as follows: 

• Literature Review: Students will research evidence-based practices related to the chosen problem to inform project design 
• Data Analysis: Students will analyze and evaluate data and research related to the problem to inform project design.  
• Identification of a Problem: Students will analyze data and current practice issues within healthcare and select a relevant problem to address. 
• Development of a Plan: Students will develop skills in developing a project plan outlining the problem, interventions, and strategies. 
• Presentation Skills: Students will develop and apply presentation skills when presenting their proposed project plan. 
• Communication and Collaboration: Students will enhance communication and collaboration skills while interacting with professionals as they work on the project.

While the Office of Field Experience will approve the preceptor and practicum site for the student’s practicum experience to ensure the preceptorship is appropriate for the practicum course, they do not approve the project, project focus, or project plan. An approved practicum application is not approval of your project. Once the course begins, students must follow instructions outlined in the course syllabus for details on the practicum assignments and project. Students must follow all directions in the course to obtain approval for the project from the assigned faculty instructor for the practicum course during the practicum course. 

NURS 4300/4301: Capstone Project

The purpose of the capstone project is for students to integrate facets of the BSN curriculum into a culmination of the knowledge gained during their program. Students have the option to pick the focus on their project within one of the two categories as follows:  

• Population Health Change Project
• Quality and Safety Change Project

The capstone involves collaborating with a preceptor to identify a problem related to a population health issue or a quality and safety concern at the practicum site. The project includes developing a change plan and implementing the educational component within the capstone course. The final submission will include a recorded PowerPoint presentation that covers all components of the proposed project, incorporating feedback received from the preceptor, interprofessional team, and the faculty throughout the course.

Students must maintain ongoing communication with the approved preceptor during their practicum course regarding their project and any activities related to the completion of the project.

Activities Related to the Practicum & Practicum Project:     

• Interaction with the approved site preceptor and interprofessional team members.
• Investigation of a population health  or quality and safety concern supported by the preceptor.
• Evaluation of available data and resources related to their project focus.
• Development of evidence-based resources to support a project intervention that is culturally-, ethnically-, and age-appropriate to address the problem.  
• Plan the project including an educational component to be for the proposed project plan.   
• Presentation of the culmination of the overall project integrating the required elements.

Examples of Projects:  

• Acceptable Projects:
  • Population Health Change Projects: 
    • Prevention of diabetes through screening efforts
    • Prevention of hypertension through screening efforts
    • Prevention of cervical cancer through screening efforts
    • Prevention of sexually transmitted infections’ (STI) through education
    • Prevention of HIV through education
    • Improvement in immunization rates as well as other prevention efforts
    • Prevention of childhood obesity through health eating programs
    • Prevention of opioid misuse through education
    • Prevention of injuries through bike helmet safety with schools
  • Quality and Safety Change Projects:
    • Improve patient fall rates
    • Improve medication error rates
    • Improve CAUTI (catheter-associated urinary tract infection) rates
    • Improve CLABSI (central line bloodstream infection) rates
    • Improve HAPI (hospital-acquired pressure injury) rates
    • Improve HAI (hospital-acquired infections) rates
    • Improve bedside hand-offs
    • Improve SBAR (situation, background, assessment, recommendation) communication practices
• Non-Acceptable Projects:
  • Projects that are general in nature.
  • Projects that are not applicable to the site or the preceptors’ capabilities at the site.
  • Projects that are related to staffing concerns or budget constraints that are beyond the scope of the students’ capabilities to control. 

NURS 4220/4221:  Quality and Safety Project:

The purpose of this project is for students to design and develop an evidence-based quality improvement plan that improves a quality and safety problem specific to a unit or department at their practicum site. The goal is to develop a quality improvement project plan, which if implemented, will improve patient outcomes at the practicum site.

Activities Related to the Practicum & Practicum Project:    

• Interaction and collaboration with the nurse preceptor, healthcare leaders, and other healthcare professionals involved with quality and safety improvement efforts at the practicum site. 
• Identification of a quality improvement practice problem using readily available data that supports a problem exists. 
• Perform a literature review to identify measurement standards for a problem identified in healthcare.
• Application of the Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) process improvement /model to improve a practice problem.
• Development of an evidence-based quality improvement plan. 
• Development of a quality improvement storyboard to address a practice problem. 
• Presentation of a quality improvement storyboard. 

Examples of Quality and Safety Projects:

NOTE: Staffing improvements cannot be the main practice problem.

• Improve CAUTI (catheter-associated urinary tract infection) rates
• Improve CLABSI (central line bloodstream infection) rates
• Improve HAPI (hospital-acquired pressure injury) rates
• Improve HAPU (hospital-acquired pressure ulcers) rates
• Improve HAI (hospital-acquired infections) rates
• Improve patient fall rates 
• Improve medication error rates and bar code scanning compliance
• Improve patient satisfaction scores 
• Improve documentation of pain reassessment 
• Improve vaccination rates in the practice setting

Preceptor Evaluations:  Midterm and Final Evaluation

Preceptors use a formal evaluation in Meditrek to communicate student progress to the Practicum Faculty Instructor twice during the practicum—at midterm and at the end of the practicum course. Preceptors will receive an email from Meditrek with directions on how to log into Meditrek and complete the evaluations. Preceptors can use the same username and password for Meditrek they use to sign time logs to complete practicum evaluations. 

The timeline for the evaluations is as follows:  

• Midterm evaluations are due midway through the course and/or practicum experience.
• Final evaluations are due at the end of the course and practicum experience by the posted deadline.   

These evaluations provide information about the student’s progress and performance during practicum.  Students have access to review the preceptor’s evaluation in Meditrek. The faculty instructor for the practicum course will review the preceptor’s feedback in the evaluation and use the feedback in determining the student’s final grade. Students may receive a failing grade if any of the evaluations are unsatisfactory or if the evaluations are not received by the posted deadlines.  

Students are responsible for ensuring the preceptor has received their Meditrek account information including their username and password. Students are also responsible for ensuring the preceptor signs their time logs and completes the required evaluations by the course deadline. Students should contact the Office of Field Experience if the preceptor has not received an email with access to Meditrek by the time the midterm evaluation is due.

Student Evaluations

Students complete a formal evaluation in Meditrek at the end of the practicum course to provide feedback about their practicum experience with the preceptor and practicum site. The evaluation is confidential as preceptors and practicum sites do not have access to review the student’s evaluation in Meditrek. The Walden faculty instructor for the practicum course will review the evaluation. Your honest feedback on the evaluation is important to help Walden evaluate your practicum experience and help program leadership continuously improve the courses and the practicum experience as a whole. 

Students should be aware of the policies related to academic progress and grading policies as outlined in the Walden University Student Handbook.   

Failure of Practicum Courses

Conditions and behaviors constituting failure in a practicum course include, however, the following are not limited to, the following:

• • Unsatisfactory performance during practicum.
  • Demonstration of unsafe performance and/or decision-making skills.
  • Failure to satisfactorily complete course assignments and/or logs.
  • Failure to complete the required practicum hours.
  • Failure to complete practicum hours with the approved preceptor.
  • Failure to complete required practicum activities. 
  • Falsification of practicum hours, records, assignments, or documentation.
  • Academic Integrity or Code of Conduct sanctions.
  • Dismissal by the practicum site and/or preceptor.

You must stay in communication with faculty if you have any concerns or issues and need help with problem resolution to prevent failing a practicum course. You must follow the Problem Resolution Process, <INTERNAL NOTE:  Insert link to “Problem Resolution Process” section in Section 5> which is outlined in the Practicum Manual in Section 5, for guidance on resolving problems that pose a barrier to a successful learning experience during practicum.

Failure of a practicum or didactic course may result in academic warning or academic dismissal. Students must review the policies related to academic progress and grading policies in the Walden University Student Handbook. 

Incomplete Grade and Remedial Applications

Grades of Incomplete (I) are given at the discretion of the Faculty Instructor for the practicum course. Incomplete Grades may be granted only if students have already met the minimum criteria in a course and have acceptably completed approximately 80% of the course requirements, including practicum hours, prior to the last day of classes.

Students must work directly with their Faculty Instructor to determine eligibility of an Incomplete (I) grade. Students who are granted an Incomplete (I) grade by their Faculty Instructor must establish a plan to complete the practicum requirements directly with the Faculty Instructor. Students who have an Incomplete (I) grade and need to complete practicum hours during the next term, students must have a remedial application approved in Meditrek for the next term.

Students who must complete practicum hours during the next term and have officially received a grade of Incomplete (I), must submit a Remedial Application Request Form <INTERNAL NOTE: Insert link to the Appeal Policy in Section 5>in Meditrek to request a remedial application in Meditrek. Students will receive more information about the remedial application process once the form is submitted. Students are NOT to begin practicum hours until after the remedial application is approved and after the start date of the remedial application. Students must have an approved remedial application in Meditrek in order to begin or continue practicum hours to complete the remaining hours for the course. Review more information about the Remedial Application <INTERNAL NOTE: Insert link to Section 4> process in Section 4 of this manual.

Failing Grades – Prerequisite Courses & Practicum Courses

Students who do not successfully pass a prerequisite course or fail a prerequisite course for a practicum course are responsible for contacting their Advisor/Coach to discuss the program of study and develop a plan. After developing a plan with their Advisor/Coach, students can contact the Office of Field Experience to discuss possible options for practicum applications. Depending on the timing of the next term start, students may not be eligible to submit a practicum application and may not be approved to retake a practicum course if they do not have an approved application.