Practicum Orientations for the 2020-2021 Academic Year

Course Overviews

Clinical Checklists

BSN - Undergraduate (4210,4211,4220,4221):

Course-Based:

Tempo-Based:

MSN-Specializations:

Course-Based:

TEMPO-Based:

Post Master's Certificate - Specialty:

MSN-Nurse Practitioner Specializations:

Post Master's Certificate - Nurse Practitioner Specializations: 

DNP:

Resources:

Course-Specific Preceptor/Field Site Requirements

PRAC 6531 - Advanced Practice Care of Adults Across the Lifespan

• Types of Patients: Ages 18 and older in the primary care setting for primary care.

• Types of Services: Assessment and management of primary care.

• Possible Preceptor Choices: Primary care MD, DO, PA, FNP, AGNP. Family practice MD, DO, PA, FNP, AGNP. Internal medicine MD, DO, PA, FNP. The preceptor’s practice cannot have a specialty.

• Possible Site Choices: Family practice, internal medicine practice, or primary care clinic. Additional sites that may be acceptable include health departments and retail clinics that provide primary care.

• Nonacceptable Sites: Acute care facilities (hospitals, surgery centers, EDs, emergent or urgent care clinics), specialty clinics, long-term care facilities, university health services, hospice care centers, pain management centers, home care, and cancer centers.

PRAC 6541 - Primary Care of Adolescents and Children

• Types of Patients: Patients must be children or adolescents from newborn to 17 years of age. Students must see a minimum of two patients in each age category: newborn, infant, toddler, preschool, school age, and teenager.

• Types of Services: Assessment and management of primary care of children and adolescents. Must see patients in a pediatrics setting and must see both well and sick children/adolescents.

• Possible Preceptor Choices: Pediatrician MD or DO. FNP, PNP, and PA in pediatrician’s office.

• Possible Site Choices: Pediatrician’s office, family practice, primary care clinic, or health department clinic. If the site is a family practice or primary care clinic the student may need a secondary site to achieve the newborn requirement, as this population is rarely seen outside of a pediatrician's office.

• Nonacceptable Sites: Acute care facilities (e.g., hospitals, surgery centers, EDs, emergent or urgent care clinics), specialty clinics, long-term care facilities, university health services, hospice care centers, pain management centers, and cancer centers.

Note: All patients seen must be children or adolescents in a pediatrics (newborn to 17 years) practice.

PRAC 6552 - Advanced Nurse Practice in Reproductive Health Care Practicum

• Types of Patients: Focused on the care of women. Focuses on the reproductive healthcare and primary care services to women of all ages.

• Types of Services: Provide obstetrical and gynecological care. Focuses on women’s healthcare, family planning, and reproductive services.

• Possible Preceptor Choices: OB and/or GYN MD, DO, Nurse Midwife, FNP, PA, WHNP. Certified Professional Midwife may be acceptable to log the required 40 OB hours.

• Possible Site Choices: OB and or GYN practice, family practice, internal medicine practice, primary care clinic, or health department clinic. Field site must provide a minimum of 50% women’s care, including prenatal and postnatal care, GYN services, Pap smears, birth control, perimenopause, menopause, and STDs.

• Nonacceptable Sites: Urgent care clinics; EDs; weight management/loss clinics; skilled facilities with primary care focus or specialty clinics such as dermatology, infertility clinics, hormone clinics, menopause clinics, ear, nose and throat, etc.

Note: FNP students complete obstetrics (OB) and gynecological (GYN)/reproductive health clinical hours. Of the practicum hours, at least 40 hours must be related to prenatal and postnatal care. Students are not to be involved in or observe births or surgeries. Experience with internal vaginal exams, breast exams, etc. is required.

PRAC 6568 - Synthesis in Advanced Nursing Practice of Patients in Family Care Settings

• Types of Patients: Care of patients across the life span.

• Types of Services: Assessment and management of acute and chronic health conditions of patients across the life span.

• Possible Preceptor Choices: Primary care MD, DO, PA, FNP. Family practice MD, DO, PA, FNP. Internal medicine MD, DO, PA, FNP. The preceptor’s practice cannot have a specialty.

• Possible Site Choices: Family practice, internal medicine practice, primary care clinic. Additional sites that may be acceptable include health departments and urgent care facilities that provide primary care.

• Nonacceptable Sites: Acute care facilities (e.g., hospitals, surgery centers, EDs, emergent care clinics), urgent care, retail clinics, specialty clinics, long-term care facilities, university health services, hospice care centers, pain management centers, and cancer centers.

Course-Specific Preceptor/Field Site Requirements​

PRAC 6540 - Advanced Practice Care of Older Adults

• Types of Patients: Ages 65 and older with acute illness or exacerbation of chronic diseases.

• Types of Services: Assessment and management of acute illness or exacerbation of chronic diseases, recommendation of appropriate immunizations for elders, medication management with focus on unique needs of the geriatric patient, and assessment and facilitation of functional abilities in consideration of chronic and aging limitations.

• Possible Preceptor Choices: ACNP, AGACNP, ANP, AGPCNP, FNP, GNP, MD, DO, PA, or hospitalist.

• Possible Site Choices: Acute care hospital settings (hospitalist, intermediate care unit or step-down unit). Inpatient palliative care services, inpatient comprehensive rehabilitation unit, inpatient long-term acute care hospital, or ACE (acute care for elderly) unit.

• Nonacceptable Sites: Surgery centers, emergency departments (EDs), urgent care center or clinic, critical care units, specialty care practices, extended care facilities, and dialysis clinics.

• Requirements: 160 hours; minimum 120 patients.

Note: Only patients over the age of 65 should be seen and logged for this course.

PRAC 6566 - Advanced Practice Care in Acute Settings I

• Types of Patients: Ages 13 and older with acute, critical, or significant exacerbation of preexisting disease states.

• Types of Services: Assessment and management of acute or critical disease states which may require airway management, pulmonary support, cardiovascular intervention, intravenous medication management, infection disease intervention, or renal intervention.

• Possible Preceptor Choices: ACNP, AGACNP, ANP, AGPCNP, ENP, FNP, MD, DO, PA, intensivist, or hospitalist.

• Possible Site Choices: Acute care hospital setting, critical care units, EDs, urgent care centers. The following in-hospital specialty rotations will be considered based on the services provided: Cardiology, Endocrinology, Gastroenterology, Hematology/Oncology, Infectious Disease, Nephrology (excluding dialysis units), Pulmonology, Surgery, Trauma, and Intensive Care Units (ICU).

• Nonacceptable Sites: Dialysis units, palliative care units, Cancer Centers of America, family practice clinics/offices, internal medicine offices, or retail health clinics.

• Requirements: 160 hours; minimum 80 patients.

PRAC 6550 - Advanced Practice Care of Adults in Acute Settings II

• Types of Patients: Ages 13 and older with acute, critical, or significant exacerbation of preexisting disease states.

• Types of Services: Assessment and management of acute or critical disease states which may require airway management, pulmonary support, cardiovascular intervention, intravenous medication management, infection disease intervention, renal intervention, neurologic/neurosurgical management, or abdominal pathology management.

• Possible Preceptor Choices: ACNP, AGACNP, ANP, AGPCNP, FNP, MD, DO, PA, intensivist, or hospitalist.

• Possible Site Choices: Acute care hospital setting, critical care units, EDs. The following in-hospital specialty rotations will be considered based on the services provided: Cardiology, Endocrinology, Gastroenterology, Hematology/Oncology, Infectious Disease, Nephrology (excluding dialysis units), Neurology/Neurosurgery, Pulmonology, Surgery, Transplant, and Trauma.

• Nonacceptable Sites: Dialysis units, palliative care units, Cancer Centers of America, urgent care, and family practice clinics/offices or retail health clinics.

• Requirements: 160 hours; minimum 80 patients.

PRAC 6560 - Advanced Practice Care of Adults in Acute Settings III

• Types of Patients: Ages 13 and older with acute, critical, or significant exacerbation of preexisting disease states.

• Types of Services: Assessment and management of acute or critical disease states which may require airway management, pulmonary support, cardiovascular intervention, intravenous medication management, infection disease intervention, renal intervention, neurologic/neurosurgical management, or abdominal pathology management.

• Possible Preceptor Choices: ACNP, AGACNP, ANP, AGPCNP, FNP, MD, DO, PA, intensivist, or hospitalist.

• Possible Site Choices: Acute care hospital setting, critical care units, EDs. The following in-hospital specialty rotations will be considered based on the services provided: Cardiology, Endocrinology, Gastroenterology, Hematology/Oncology, Infectious Disease, Nephrology (excluding dialysis units), Neurology/Neurosurgery, Pulmonology, Surgery, Transplant, and Trauma.

• Nonacceptable Sites: Dialysis units, palliative care units, Cancer Centers of America, urgent care, outpatient clinics, and family practice clinics/offices or retail health clinics.

• Requirements: 160 hours; minimum 80 patients.

Course-Specific Preceptor/Field Site Requirements

NURS or NUNP 6531 - Advanced Practice Care of Adults Across the Lifespan

• Types of Patients: Ages 13 and older in the primary care setting for primary care. 

• Types of Services: Assessment and management of primary care.

• Possible Preceptor Choices: Primary care ANP, AGPCNP, FNP, GNP, MD, DO, PA. Family practice ANP, AGPCNP, FNP, GNP, MD, DO, PA. Internal medicine ANP, AGPCNP, FNP, GNP, MD, DO, PA. The preceptor in the practice cannot have a specialty. • Possible Site Choices: Family practice, internal medicine practice, or primary care clinic. 

• Nonacceptable Sites: Surgery centers, EDs, emergent care clinics, acute care facilities, specialty clinics, specialty practices, or long-term care facilities.

NURS or NUNP 6540 - Advanced Practice Care of Frail Elders 

• Types of Patients: Age 65 and older with primary care issues.

• Types of Services: Assessment and management of primary care, recommendation of appropriate immunizations for elders, medication management with focus on unique needs of the geriatric patient, assessment and facilitation of functional abilities in consideration of chronic and aging limitations.

• Possible Preceptor Choices: Primary care ANP, AGPCNP, FNP, GNP, MD, DO, PA. Family practice ANP, AGPCNP, FNP, GNP, MD, DO, PA. Internal medicine ANP, AGPCNP, FNP, GNP, MD, DO, PA.

• Possible Site Choices: Family practice and internal medicine if patients meet the age requirements, long-term care, hospice, or assisted living/Alzheimer’s facility. 

• Nonacceptable Sites: Surgery centers, EDs, home health, acute care facilities, emergent care clinics, and dialysis clinics.

Note: Only patients over the age of 65 should be seen and logged for this course.

PRAC 6552 - Advanced Nurse Practice in Reproductive Health Care Practicum

• Types of Patients: Women ages 13 and older in need of women’s primary healthcare including reproductive healthcare.

• Types of Services: Assessment and management of women’s healthcare needs, Pap smears, GYN management, STD management. • Possible Preceptor Choices: MD, DO, FNP, PA, WHNP, ANP, AGPCNP.

• Possible Site Choices: OB/GYN Clinic, any family practice, internal medicine practice, primary care clinic, health department clinic, or Planned Parenthood. Field sites that provide a minimum of 50% women’s care, which should include GYN services, Pap smears, birth control, perimenopause, menopause, STDs.

• Nonacceptable Sites: Urgent care clinics; EDs; weight management/loss clinics; skilled facilities with primary care focus or specialty clinics such as dermatology, infertility clinics, hormone clinics, menopause clinics, ear, nose and throat, etc.

Note: AGPCNP students only complete gynecological (GYN) or reproductive health clinical hours. There is no obstetrics (OB) component for AGPCNP students. Experience with internal vaginal exams, breast exams, etc. is required.

NURS or NUNP 6565 - Synthesis in Adv. Practice Care of Complex Patients in a Primary Care Setting

• Types of Patients: Ages 13 and older in the patient’s primary care medical home.

• Types of Services: Assessment and management of primary care related illness or exacerbation of chronic diseases.

• Possible Preceptor Choices: Primary care ANP, AGPCNP, FNP, GNP, MD, DO, PA. Family practice ANP, AGPCNP, FNP, GNP, MD, DO, PA. Internal medicine ANP, AGPCNP, FNP, GNP, MD, DO, PA. ANP, AGPCNP, FNP, GNP, MD, DO, and PA.

• Possible Site Choices: Family practice, internal medicine practice, specialty care clinics, or primary care clinic. Skilled care facility, long-term care, and assisted living serving new and established patients with health promotion and maintenance, disease prevention, patient education, and the diagnosis and treatment of chronic illnesses and recovery from acute exacerbations of chronic disease.

• Nonacceptable Sites: Acute care facilities (e.g., hospitals, surgery centers, EDs, emergent care clinics), urgent care, retail clinics, long-term care facilities where provider is only certifying stay and not managing patient care, university health services, hospice care centers, pain management centers, and cancer centers.

 *PMHNP students should consult with their Student Success Advisor to determine their program of study* 

Course-Specific Preceptor/Field Site Requirements

Preceptors for PMHNP practicum courses must have a master’s or doctoral degree in the area of practice.  
Note: It is acknowledged that a variety of factors will influence the number of clients seen, but students should strive to see as many clients possible each clinical day. The clinical experience must be scheduled to last for a duration of no less than 8 weeks to increase the likelihood that students will be exposed to a wide range of clients with different mental health care needs. Over the course of that 8 weeks, no fewer than 80 patients/clients should be seen. 

PRAC 6635 - Psychopathology and Diagnostic Reasoning

• Types of Patients: Patients receiving care for psychiatric and substance use disorders across the life span to include children, adolescents, adults, and older adults.*

• Types of Services: Assessment and diagnosis of children, adolescents, adults, and older adults with acute and chronic psychiatric and substance use disorders.

• Possible Preceptor Choices: PMHNP or Psychiatrist.

• Possible Site Choices: Private practice, community psychiatric and/or counseling center, crisis centers, drug/alcohol rehabilitation center, college counseling center, employee assistance program (EAP) sites, or assisted living/Alzheimer’s facility, hospital or specialty care facility, jails/prison, or any other site where psychiatric assessment and diagnosing takes place (to be determined on an individual basis).

• Nonacceptable Sites: Any form of community and/or home visits.

• Nonacceptable Preceptors: FNP, AGACNP, AGPCNP, PMHCNS, or any other NP other than a board-certified psychiatric/mental health nurse practitioner. No PAs. No psychotherapists, psychologists, or MSWs.

• Requirements: 160 hours; minimum 80 encounters. Must be in practicum setting minimum of 8 weeks. There is no minimum to seeing each age population as long as quality experiences with each age population are obtained.

*Students must be able to see patients across the lifespan. If the primary preceptor only sees adult clients, a secondary preceptor will be needed in order to complete the requirements for children and adolescent experiences. Sometimes this can be another provider in the same office as the primary preceptor.

PRAC 6645 - Psychotherapy With Multiple Modalities

• Types of Patients: Patients receiving care for psychiatric and substance use disorders across the life span to include children, adolescents, adults, and older adults.

• Types of Services: Psychotherapy with three populations to include individuals, groups, and families.

• Possible Preceptor Choices: PMHNP (who engages in psychotherapy—not only medication management; if the preceptor is seeing patients for 15-minute medication checks, this is not psychotherapy), psychiatric mental health clinical nurse specialist, licensed clinical social worker, license mental health counselor/professional counselor, licensed psychologist, other appropriately licensed/certified mental health professional if the license requires a minimum of a master’s degree in the area of mental health. (Note: Every state has different license categories for mental health professionals, so students should be aware of the different license categories in the state and verify the qualifications with the Office of Field Experience prior to nominating a preceptor if there are questions regarding the qualifications. The licensee must have completed supervised clinical experiences as part of the requirements along with a master’s or doctoral degree in the area of practice within the field of mental health.)

• Possible Site Choices: Private practice, community psychiatric and/or counseling center, crisis centers, drug/alcohol rehabilitation center, college counseling center, employee assistance program (EAP) sites, or assisted living/Alzheimer’s facility, hospital or specialty care facility, jails/prisons, long-term care, hospice, palliative care, or any other site where you have access to all three groups—individual, families, and group for psychotherapy interventions (to be determined on an individual basis).

• Nonacceptable Sites: Any form of community and/or home visits.

• Nonacceptable Preceptors: FNP, AGACNP, AGPCNP or any other NP other than a board-certified psychiatric/mental health nurse practitioner. No PAs. No preceptors who are “spiritual” or “religious-based” counselors will be permitted unless they possess a master’s or higher degree from a regionally accredited institution of higher learning and are licensed to provide psychotherapy services in their state. Practitioners who have graduate-, associate-, or intern-level licenses are not acceptable preceptors because they are not practicing as unsupervised practitioners—if they are required to be supervised as part of their licensure requirement, they are not an acceptable preceptor.

• Requirements: 160 hours; minimum 80 encounters. Must be in practicum setting minimum of 8 weeks. There is no minimum to seeing each age population or group as long as quality experiences with each age population and group are obtained.

PRAC 6665 - Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Care Across the Lifespan I

• Types of Patients: Patients receiving care for psychiatric and substance use disorders across the life span to include children, adolescents, adults, and older adults.

• Types of Services: Assessment and diagnosis of individuals with acute and chronic psychiatric and substance use disorders. • Possible Preceptor Choices: PMHNP or Psychiatrist.

• Possible Site Choices: Private practice, community psychiatric and/or counseling center, crisis centers, drug/alcohol rehabilitation centers, college counseling center, employee assistance program (EAP) sites, assisted living/Alzheimer’s facility, hospital or specialty care facility, jails/prison, or any other site where psychiatric assessment, diagnosing, and treatment takes place (to be determined on an individual basis).

• Nonacceptable Sites: Any form of community and/or home visits.

• Nonacceptable Preceptors: FNP, AGACNP, AGPCNP, PMHCNS, or any other NP other than a board-certified psychiatric/mental health nurse practitioner. No PAs. No psychotherapists, psychologists, or MSWs.

• Requirements: 160 hours; minimum 80 encounters. Must be in practicum setting minimum of 8 weeks. For this course, a minimum of 80 hours and a minimum 40 encounters for adult/older adults and a minimum of 80 hours and a minimum 40 encounters for children/adolescents to equal total 160 hours and 80 encounters/quarter (no exceptions)

PRAC 6675 - Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Care Across the Lifespan II

• Types of Patients: Patients receiving care for psychiatric and substance use disorders across the life span to include children, adolescents, adults, and older adults.

• Types of Services: Assessment and diagnosis of individuals with acute and chronic psychiatric and substance use disorders.

• Possible Preceptor Choices: PMHNP or psychiatrist.

• Possible Site Choices: Private practice, community psychiatric and/or counseling center, crisis centers, drug/alcohol rehabilitation center, college counseling center, employee assistance program (EAP) sites, assisted living/Alzheimer’s facility, hospital or specialty care facility, jails/prison, or any other site where psychiatric assessment and diagnosing takes place (to be determined on an individual basis).

• Nonacceptable Sites: Any form of community and/or home visits.

• Nonacceptable Preceptors: FNP, AGACNP, AGPCNP, PMHCNS, or any other NP other than a board-certified psychiatric/mental health nurse practitioner. No PAs. No psychotherapists, psychologist, or MSWs.

• Requirements: 160 hours; minimum 80 encounters. Must be in practicum setting minimum of 8 weeks. For this course, a minimum of 80 hours and a minimum 40 encounters for adult/older adults and a minimum of 80 hours and a minimum 40 encounters for children/adolescents to equal total 160 hours and 80 encounters/quarter (no exceptions).

6660 - Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Role I: Child and Adolescent 

PMHNP Curriculum – Prior to Winter 2020

*The PMHNP program of study was updated beginning Winter 2020. Some students may be grandfathered to enroll in the previous PMHNP practicum courses based upon courses that have been completed. Students should consult their student success advisor for assistance with questions regarding their program of study.

• Possible Preceptor Choices: PMHNP or a child/adolescent psychiatrist.

• Possible Site Choices: Pediatric hospice/palliative care, hospital or specialty care facility, private practice, community psychiatric center, high school/college counseling center, drug/alcohol rehabilitation centers, crisis centers, community counseling centers, any other site where psychotropic medications are prescribed to children or adolescents (appropriateness of sites to be determined on an individual basis).

• Nonacceptable Sites: Home health and tele-psychiatry.

• Nonacceptable Preceptors: FNP, AGACNP, AGPCNP or any other NP other than a board-certified psychiatric/mental health nurse practitioner. No PAs. 
 
Note: All patients seen must be children or adolescents below the age of 18.

6670 - Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Role II: Adults and Older Adults 

PMHNP Curriculum – Prior to Winter 2020

*The PMHNP program of study was updated beginning Winter 2020. Some students may be grandfathered to enroll in the previous PMHNP practicum courses based upon courses that have been completed. Students should consult their student success advisor for assistance with questions regarding their program of study.

• Possible Preceptor Choices: PMHNP or an adult/geriatric psychiatrist.

• Possible Site Choices: Private practice, community psychiatric center, college counseling center, employee assistance program (EAP) sites, or assisted living/Alzheimer’s facility; hospital or specialty care facility, drug/alcohol rehabilitation centers, crisis centers, community counseling centers, long-term care, hospice, palliative care, or any other site where psychotropic medications are prescribed to adults/older adults (appropriateness of sites to be determined on an individual basis).

• Nonacceptable Sites: Home health and tele-psychiatry.

• Nonacceptable Preceptors: FNP, AGACNP, AGPCNP, or any other NP other than a board-certified psychiatric/mental health nurse practitioner. No PAs. 

PRAC 6810 - Advanced Pediatric Nursing Practicum I: Primary Care

• Types of Patients: Ages birth to age 21.

• Types of Services: Primary care.

• Possible Preceptor Choices: Pediatrician, PNP, FNP specializing in pediatrics, family practice doctor that ONLY sees pediatric patients.

• Possible Site Choices: Pediatric primary care offices, private practices, community clinics. 

• Nonacceptable Sites: Specialty clinics, inpatient rotations, family practice offices, internal medicine offices.

• Nonacceptable Preceptors: Physician assistants.

• Requirements: 160 hours; minimum 160 encounters

PRAC 6820 - Advanced Pediatric Nursing Practicum II: Complex Care

• Types of Patients: Ages birth to age 21.

• Types of Services: Primary care.

• Possible Preceptor Choices: Pediatrician, PNP, FNP specializing in pediatrics, family practice doctor that ONLY sees pediatric patients.

• Possible Site Choices: Pediatric primary care offices, private practices, community clinics.

• Nonacceptable Sites: Specialty clinics, inpatient rotations, family practice offices, internal medicine offices.

• Nonacceptable Preceptors: Physician assistants. • Requirements: 160 hours; minimum 160 encounters.

PRAC 6830 - Advanced Pediatric Nursing Practicum III: Specialty Care

• Types of Patients: Ages birth to age 21.

• Types of Services: Specialty services provided to pediatric patients.

• Possible Preceptor Choices: MD, DO, PNP, FNP specializing in pediatrics.

• Possible Site Choices: Specialty clinics: pediatric psychiatry adolescent medicine, pediatric dermatology, newborn nursery, pediatric urgent care, sports medicine, pediatric allergy and asthma, pediatric pulmonary, pediatric GI, pediatric rheumatology, pediatric oncology/hematology, pediatric nephrology, pediatric infectious disease, pediatric ENT, pediatric surgery, pediatric neurology. Hours can be split between two settings (e.g., 80 hours sports medicine and 80 hours in pediatric mental health).

• Nonacceptable Preceptors: Physician assistants.

• Requirements: 160 hours; minimum 160 encounters.

PRAC 6840 - Advanced Pediatric Nursing Practicum IV: Synthesis Care

• Types of Patients: Ages birth to age 21.

• Types of Services: Primary care.

• Possible Preceptor Choices: Pediatrician, PNP, FNP specializing in pediatrics, family practice doctor that ONLY sees pediatric patients.

• Possible Site Choices: Pediatric primary care offices, private practices, community clinics.

• Nonacceptable Sites: Specialty clinics, inpatient rotations, family practice offices, internal medicine offices.

• Nonacceptable Preceptors: Physician assistants.

• Requirements: 160 hours; minimum 160 encounters.

Course-Specific Requirements

Following are suggestions, listed by specialization, for students to consider when choosing a preceptor and site for each required practicum course. Students can also consult the course descriptions in the Walden University Catalog as a guide. 

NURS 6600 - Capstone Synthesis Practicum

• Possible Preceptor Choices: Registered nurses with a PhD, DNP, MSN (Nurse Executive), MHA, MBA, and/or MPH degree.

• Possible Site Choices: Hospital, clinics, health department, school of nursing.

Course-Specific Requirements

Following are suggestions, listed by specialization, for students to consider when choosing a preceptor and site for each required practicum course. Students can also consult the course descriptions in the Walden University Catalog as a guide. 

NURS 6341 - Specialty in Clinical Nursing 

The purpose of NURS 6341 is to provide nurse educator students with an opportunity to apply the knowledge gained in the science-driven courses of pathopharmacology (NURS 6301) and advanced health assessment (NURS 6512) or NURS 6380 (catalog year Spring 2019). The course, through online classroom discussions and practicum experiences, provides students with the opportunity to apply these sciences to advanced direct patient care. Preceptors are required to have been prepared at the graduate level in the application of these sciences and must be engaged in delivering advanced patient care in a specialized field. Advanced patient care is defined as the management of complex disease processes in a specialty beyond the basic bedside nursing care to a specific group of patients. For example, students might select to learn more about the pain management of oncology patients or the management of hypertensive patients. Other examples of student experiences may be learning the management of complex nursing care delivery involving the work of a clinical nurse specialist, experiences with a wound specialist, or hospice care. To achieve these learning experiences, students must propose a practicum site that allows them direct contact with patients. Acceptable preceptor and site choices include the following:

• Possible Preceptor Choices: (Clinician) clinical nurse specialist, nurse practitioner, physician, or physician assistant who provides advanced direct care. The preceptor is not required to be an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN).

• Possible Site Choices: Community clinic, emergent care clinic or hospital, and/or nursing home or hospice that provides direct contact with patients.

The focus of this course is not on educating patients, students, or staff. A college, university, or staff development department is not an appropriate site and will not help students achieve the objectives of this course. Also, supervising nursing students in a clinical setting would not be an appropriate activity for this course. In addition, individuals in educator roles are not appropriate preceptors for this practicum unless they have expertise as clinicians and can provide students with access to direct patient contact.

NURS 6351 - Role of the Nurse Educator 

• Possible Preceptor Choices: Nurse educators in an academic setting, hospital, or clinic in the role of academician, staff developer, or patient educator.

• Possible Site Choices: Academic setting that educates nursing students or allied health staff. Hospital, clinic, or other community-based facility that has health education needs for patients and staff.

Course-Specific Requirements

Following are suggestions, listed by specialization, for students to consider when choosing a preceptor and site for each required practicum course. Students can also consult the course descriptions in the Walden University Catalog as a guide. 

NURS 6431 - Evaluation Methods for Health Information Technology

 • Possible Preceptor Choices: Registered nurses employed in an informatics role with a PhD, DNP, or MSN (e.g., senior nursing informatics officer [SNIO], chief information officer [CIO], chief medical information officer [CMIO]). Nominated preceptors who have a nursing informatics role but who do not have an advanced degree in nursing may be acceptable if students have a supplemental preceptor. NURS 6431 must be successfully completed prior to taking NURS 6600.

• Possible Site Choices: Hospital, clinic, health department, or organization providing support for electronic health record systems

NURS 6600 - Capstone Synthesis Practicum 

• Possible Preceptor Choices: Registered nurses employed in an informatics role with a Ph.D., DNP, or MSN in nursing informatics (e.g., senior nursing informatics officer [SNIO], chief information officer [CIO], chief medical information officer [CMIO]). The preceptor for NURS 6431 and 6600 must be the same. • Possible Site Choices: Hospital, clinic, health department, or organization providing support for electronic health record systems

Practicum Courses for Students With a Catalog Year Beginning Spring 2019:

NURS 6461 Capstone Synthesis Practicum

• Possible Preceptor Choices: Registered nurses employed in an informatics role with a Ph.D., DNP, or MSN in nursing informatics (e.g., senior nursing informatics officer [SNIO], chief information officer [CIO], chief medical information officer [CMIO]). The preceptor for NURS 6431 and 6600 must be the same.

• Possible Site Choices: Hospital, clinic, health department, or organization providing support for electronic health record systems.

Course-Specific Requirements

Following are suggestions, listed by specialization, for students to consider when choosing a preceptor and site for each required practicum course. Students can also consult the course descriptions in the Walden University Catalog as a guide.

 NURS 6720 - Population-based Public Health Nursing Interventions

• Possible Preceptor Choices: Registered nurses employed in a public health role with a PhD, DNP, MSN, or MPH. Nominated preceptors who have a public health role but who do not have an advanced degree in nursing may be acceptable if students have a supplemental preceptor.

• Possible Site Choices: Local, state, or national public health departments; community centers or agencies (including voluntary, nonprofit, and/or nongovernmental organizations) focused on population care, environmental health, disaster management, and health education; public schools (school nursing).

• Nonacceptable Site Choices: Home visits.

NURS 6730 - Public Health Nursing Leadership

• Possible Preceptor Choices: Registered nurses employed in a leadership role in the public health or community health environment with a PhD, DNP, MSN, or MPH. Nominated preceptors who have a public health role but who do not have an advanced degree in nursing may be acceptable if students have a co-preceptor.

• Possible Site Choices: Local, state, or national public health departments; community centers or agencies (including voluntary, nonprofit, and/or nongovernmental organizations) focused on population care, environmental health, disaster management, and health education.

• Nonacceptable Site Choices: Home visits.

Practicum Information

The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program consists of 8 credits of required practicum for 576 hours and an option to take an additional 1-6 credits of field experience to meet the required 1,000 hours. 

The DNP requires a minimum of 1,000 post-BSN practicum hours, with at least 500 hours at the DNP level. Students who need more practicum hours to meet this requirement may take this course for additional credits (up to six times). Each credit hour is equal to 72 practicum hours to help students reach a total of 1,000 practicum hours.

NURS 8410: Best Practices in Nursing Specialties (1 credit practicum 72 hours)

NURS 8400: Evidence Based Practice I: Assessment and Design (1 credit practicum 72 hours)

NURS 8500: Evidence Based Practice II: Planning and Implementation (3 credits practicum 216 hours)

NURS 8510: Evidence Based Practice III: Project Implementation, Evaluation, and Dissemination (3 credits practicum 216 hours)

NURS 8600: DNP Field Experience (1-6 practicum credits 72-432 hours)

The preceptor must be involved in healthcare or have experience and expertise in the practice setting relevant to the student’s area of interest. Additionally, the preceptor must currently work in a role consistent with the students’ goals for the practicum experience. Doctoral education is preferred; however, some other form of graduate education may be acceptable if the preceptor’s experience and responsibility are clearly related to the student’s practicum goals (e.g., a senior administrator for a student interested in leadership and management). Note: It is not always necessary that the preceptor be a professional nurse or have the DNP or Ph.D. credential. Under circumstances in which the DNP student’s areas of expertise intersects with a more interdisciplinary focus, the preceptor may, for example, be an industry leader, a policymaker, a physician, or an informatics specialist. 

Practicum experience and field experience cannot be in an educational setting.

Students must submit a new application for each practicum and field experience course, regardless if they are using the same preceptor and field site. Applications and approval set up your time logs and your evaluations.

Please review the Practicum Manual for more information.

Practicum Information - Executive Leadership Track

• Each practicum course is a total of 5 credit hours, 3 didactic course credits and 2 clinical credits. Each clinical course = 160 practicum hours.

• Course sequence: NURS 8502 must be taken prior to NURS 8503 in the revised DNP POS.

• Course sequence for executive leadership pathway students: NURS 8504 must be taken prior to NURS 8505 in the executive leadership track.

Students enrolled in the Executive Leadership practicums, NURS 8504 and NURS 8505, should find preceptors that have system-wide administrative responsibilities which may be responsibilities such as chief executive officer (CEO), chief financial officer (CFO), chief operating officer (COO), chief information officer (CIO), vice president for nursing, vice president for healthcare systems, etc. Students should identify the person or persons who can assist them in collaborating with executives and leaders across various healthcare disciplines that have responsibilities for guiding change in the healthcare systems. Students in the Executive Leadership track practicums should not select preceptors with only unit responsibilities such as a nurse manager. Questions about appropriate preceptors or sites for the executive leadership practicum should be directed to the DNP program coordinator.

Students must submit a new application for each practicum and field experience course, regardless if they are using the same preceptor and field site. Applications and approval set up your time logs and your evaluations.

Please review the Practicum Manual for more information.

Students may search active affiliation agreements that Walden University has with various field sites for programs throughout the university in Meditrek.  Some field sites may not be appropriate for some programs/specializations.  Students should review the Practicum Manual for specific course requirements to ensure the site would be appropriate for the course.  An active affiliation agreement between Walden and the field site does not require a site to agree to take on any particular Walden student for practicum as space and programs may be limited.  You will need to work directly with the field site to ensure their willingness and ability to take you on as a student during the time period that aligns with your course.  You will also need to complete the practicum application process and receive application approval in Meditrek.  The presence of an active agreement with a field site does not imply automatic approval of your practicum application.  

Walden actively pursues affiliation agreements with new field sites whenever possible.  Walden University has resources and staffing available to facilitate new affiliation agreements. Please contact the Office of Field Experience to discuss options if your desired field site is not listed in this database.

To access the Affiliation Agreement Search in Meditrek, you will need to sign into Meditrek using your Meditrek credentials.  If you are a current nursing student and have not received your Meditrek credentials, click here. 

Instructions:   “Affiliation Agreement Search in Meditrek” 

Video Tutorial: Affiliation Agreement Database: Searching for Practicum Sites in Meditrek

What is Meditrek?

Meditrek, a product of HSoft Corporation, is a user-friendly online tool that will help you apply for, track, and manage your practicum experience. Meditrek will help you:

• Collaborate more effectively with faculty and preceptors.
• Track your time spent at each clinical field site and organize it by course, term, and more.
• Provide documentation of your experience to potential employers or certifying agencies for certificates and licensure.
• Provide an easy and trackable system to submit your practicum applications.
• Access the system 24 hours a day from anywhere with an Internet connection, including your computer, tablet, and smartphone, even after you graduate. 

Meditrek Questions?

Log into Meditrek HERE

1. Existing Account:  If students and preceptors already have Meditrek credentials created but lost their username and/ password, they request their username and password to be reset directly on the Meditrek home page at https://edu.meditrek.com  by clicking on the link for “Forgot your password or username?” at the bottom of the screen. 

2. New Account:   If students and preceptors do not already have an account in Meditrek, they may request account creation online by completing this form:  https://www.emailmeform.com/builder/emf/CON/RequestMeditrekCredentials

What do I need in order to submit my application?

From Meditrek

• Your username and password
  • You will receive one username and password for the entirety of your use with Meditrek
  • You will receive this information directly from Meditrek
  • You will receive this information approximately 5-6 months prior to your first practicum course
  • If you have not received your password a month before your application is due, please contact us here

From Your Preceptor Nominee

• Their current email address. 
• Their credentials
• Their title/position
• Their phone number
• Their current position and how this will meet the required objectives of the course
• Completed Preceptor Commitment Form. 
  • This form is sent to directly to the preceptor via email when you submit the preceptor information section in Meditrek.  You will need to follow up with your preceptor to receive the document from them.  You will need to upload it in Meditrek to submit your application. 
  • Must be completed by your preceptor
  • Must be uploaded by you in to Meditrek

From Your Field Site

• You will need to identify, with the help of your preceptor and/or field site contact, who the appropriate individual is at the field site that can speak to the affiliation agreement. This is usually someone in risk management, legal, HR, office manager, Dean, Associate Dean, Director of Nursing etc. Once identified you will need;
  • Their name and title
  • Their email and phone
  • To let them know they will receive an email from us regarding the agreement

From Yourself

• Your Walden ID number and Walden email address
• Your Professional Liability Insurance
  • Must show coverage dates
  • Must show coverage amounts
  • Must be a minimum of 1 million per incident/3 million per aggregate
  • MSN- Nurse Practitioner Students:  Must show coverage as a “Nurse Practitioner Student”
  • DNP & Other MSN Programs:  Must show coverage as a general nursing student. 
• Your *RN license in the state you are completing your practicum
  • Must show your name
  • Must show the expiration date
  • Must be their highest licensure
  • We prefer online verifications​

For Webinars, FAQs, and Tutorials on how to submit your application, please go here.

1. Existing Account:  If students and preceptors already have Meditrek credentials created but lost their username and/ password, they request their username and password to be reset directly on the Meditrek home page at https://edu.meditrek.com  by clicking on the link for “Forgot your password or username?” at the bottom of the screen. 

2. New Account:   If students and preceptors do not already have an account in Meditrek, they may request account creation online by completing this form:  https://www.emailmeform.com/builder/emf/CON/RequestMeditrekCredentials

1. Change of Specialization: 

Students who have officially been approved to change their specialization and/or program must request their Meditrek account be updated.  Students may submit a request to update their Meditrek account by completing this online form:  https://www.emailmeform.com/builder/emf/SON/ChangeOfSpecialization

2. Change of Learning Modality:  Tempo to Course-Based or Course-Based to Tempo

Students enrolling in a different learning modality must request their Meditrek account be updated.  Students may submit a request to update their Meditrek account by completing this online form:  https://www.emailmeform.com/builder/emf/SON/ChangeOfSpecialization

3. Tempo Applications:  Change Start Date for Practicum Application

Students needing to change their start date for their practicum application by two-weeks for courses in the Tempo program may request the change online by completing this online form: https://www.emailmeform.com/builder/emf/SON/TempoApplication

4. Remedial Applications for Incomplete Grades:   

Students with an incomplete grade needing to log practicum hours during the next term must submit a request for a remedial application to be opened in Meditrek by completing this online request form:  https://www.emailmeform.com/builder/emf/SON/RemedialApplication . 

Walden is fully committed to creating and maintaining a safe environment and academic community for all students, faculty, and staff. Click here to view Walden University's Notice of Nondiscrimination and Procedures for Student, Faculty, and Staff Reporting of Sexual Misconduct, Sexual Discrimination, or Other Related Reports.

What Happens After an Application is Submitted

1. When you successfully submit your application, you will receive an automatic email from Meditrek stating it was submitted.

2. You should allow 2-3 weeks (3-4 during peak time) to receive a response from a Field Education Coordinator via your Walden Email.

3. The application and the affiliation agreement are two separate entities being worked on simultaneously.

4. You will receive an email reply with one of the following in regards to your application

• Your application has be returned for further work.
  • The email will identify what you need to correct.
  • You will need to log back into Meditrek, select teh application, correct the error and re-submit.
  • You will then get another email confirmation when it's been re-submitted.
• Your application is pending.
  • The application has been submitted and is currently being reviewed by Field Experience staff.
  • Click here to download this status explanation.
• Your application has been approved:
  • You are cleared to start the identified course/practicum with the identified preceptor at the identified field site during the identified quarter following registration for the course.

5. We process applications as they come in and if we identify an error later we are able to override the approval.

6. You can log in to Meditrek at any time to see the status of your application.

Who Reviews the Application?

Each application is reviewed by a region team of six.

Meet the your regional team HERE.

Schedule an appointment with an expert on your team HERE.