Step 2: Finding a Preceptor and Practicum Site
The second step to your practicum journey is searching for and securing a practicum site and preceptor for your practicum courses. To do this you should
- Review “Professional Preparation for Field Experience” guide.
- Know the preceptor qualifications and practicum site requirements for each course.
- Brainstorm possible preceptor & practicum sites.
- Communicate with potential preceptors and sites.
- Utilize the professional preparation resources.
- Secure at least one preceptor & practicum site per course.
- Utilize the Practicum Pledge if needed.
Course Overviews - Preceptor & Practicum Site Requirements
It is important that you understand the preceptor qualifications and practicum site requirements for your course before you start your search. Each course has its own set of requirements. If your preceptor and practicum site do not meet the requirements, your application will not be approved, and you will need to find a new preceptor and/or practicum site. Therefore, to ensure your progression is not delayed, you must ensure you understand and meet the requirements for each course and use the prescreen checklists to check if a preceptor and practicum site may be appropriate for your practicum course. Select the course level tab to locate the list of courses to review the course requirements and access the prescreening checklist. Reminder: Here is how you can determine your program and courses.
These courses are for those in the MSN, Post-Master's Certificate and DNP degree levels in the specialty specializations.
Education specialization
6341: Specialty in Clinical Nursing
6351: Role of the Nurse Educator
Nursing Informatics specialization
6461: Capstone Synthesis Practicum
Nurse Executive specialization
6600: Capstone Synthesis Practicum
Public Health specialization
These courses are for those in the MSN, Post-Master's Certificate and DNP degree levels in the nurse practitioner specializations.
Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP) specialization
6566: Advanced Care of Adults in Acute Settings I Practicum
6540: Advanced Practice Care of Older Adults Practicum
6550: Advanced Practice Care of Adults in Acute Settings II Practicum
6560: Advanced Care of Adults in Acute Settings III Practicum
Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (ACPCNP) specialization
6540: Advanced Practice Care of Older Adults Practicum
6531: Primary Care of Adults Across the Lifespan Practicum
6552: Advanced Nurse Practice in Reproductive Health Care Practicum
6565: Synthesis in Advanced Nursing Practice of Patients in Primary Care Settings Practicum
Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) specialization
6531: Primary Care of Adults Across the Lifespan Practicum
6541: Primary Care of Adolescents and Children Practicum
6552: Advanced Nurse Practice in Reproductive Health Care Practicum
6553: Advanced Nurse Practice in Obstetric Health Care Practicum
6568: Synthesis in Advanced Nursing Practice of Patients in Family Care Settings
Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP) specialization
6810: Advanced Pediatric Nursing Practicum I: Primary Care
6820: Advanced Pediatric Nursing Practicum II: Complex Care
6830: Advanced Pediatric Nursing Practicum III: Specialty Care
6840: Advanced Pediatric Nursing Practicum IV: Synthesis Care
Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) specialization
6635: Psychopathology and Diagnostic Reasoning
6645: Psychotherapy With Multiple Modalities
6665: Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Care Across the Lifespan I
6675: Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Care Across the Lifespan II
8312: Leading Quality Improvement Initiatives
8502: Evidence-Based Practice I
8503: Evidence-Based Practice II
8504: Evidence-Based Practice for the Executive Leader I
8505: Evidence-Based Practice for the Executive Leader II
8512: DNP Project and Practicum I
8513: DNP Project and Practicum II
8514: Executive Leadership DNP Project and Practicum I
Preceptorship Prescreen Checklists
Specialty Masters Level Courses
6341: Specialty in Clinical Nursing
6351: Role of the Nurse Educator
6461: Capstone Synthesis Practicum
6600: Capstone Synthesis Practicum
6601: Capstone Synthesis Practicum
NP Masters Level Courses
6566: Advanced Care of Adults in Acute Settings I Practicum
6540: Advanced Practice Care of Older Adults Practicum
6550: Advanced Practice Care of Adults in Acute Settings II Practicum
6560: Advanced Care of Adults in Acute Settings III Practicum
6540: Advanced Practice Care of Older Adults Practicum
6531: Primary Care of Adults Across the Lifespan Practicum
6552: Advanced Nurse Practice in Reproductive Health Care Practicum
6565: Synthesis in Advanced Nursing Practice of Patients in Primary Care Settings Practicum
6531: Primary Care of Adults Across the Lifespan Practicum
6541: Primary Care of Adolescents and Children Practicum
6552: Advanced Nurse Practice in Reproductive Health Care Practicum
6553: Advanced Nurse Practice in Obstetric Health Care Practicum
6568: Synthesis in Advanced Nursing Practice of Patients in Family Care Settings
6810: Advanced Pediatric Nursing Practicum I: Primary Care
6820: Advanced Pediatric Nursing Practicum II: Complex Care
6830: Advanced Pediatric Nursing Practicum III: Specialty Care
6840: Advanced Pediatric Nursing Practicum IV: Synthesis Care
6635: Psychopathology and Diagnostic Reasoning
6645: Psychotherapy With Multiple Modalities
6665: Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Care Across the Lifespan I
6675: Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Care Across the Lifespan II
Doctorate Level Courses
8312: Leading Quality Improvement Initiatives
8502: Evidence-Based Practice I
8503: Evidence-Based Practice II
8504: Evidence-Based Practice for the Executive Leader I
8505: Evidence-Based Practice for the Executive Leader II
8512: DNP Project and Practicum I
8513: DNP Project and Practicum II
8514: Executive Leadership DNP Project and Practicum I
Review Guide: Professional Preparation For Field Experience
Review this guide for helpful information to help you identify a practicum site and preceptor for practicum.
Attend a Roundtable Session
Attend the following Roundtable Webinar Sessions to learn more about planning for practicum to help you understand the practicum requirements and find a preceptorship.
- Tips to Find a Preceptor & Site
- Preceptorship Requirements – Practicum Overview by Program
Review the schedule and register for a Roundtable Session online.
Brainstorm Possible Preceptors and Practicum Sites
Utilize Professional Preparation Resources
These Professional Preparation resources may assist you in your search for a practicum site. They may also help in your future job search.
Approach your practicum site and preceptor search with the same diligence you would in looking for a job.
Information to Provide to Prospective Preceptors & Sites
It will be important to communicate your program's requirements with your prospective practicum sites to ensure that they can meet your needs. You should review the Practicum Manual to ensure that you are prepared to effectively communicate the requirements. Below are some resources that might be helpful to provide as well.
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Preceptor BenefitsProvide prospective preceptors the benefits of precepting a Walden University student.
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Preceptors WebsiteThis website provides useful information and resources for precepting Walden nursing students.
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Course OverviewsLocate your course and provide the course information to your prospective preceptor and practicum site.
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Preceptor Commitment FormsThe Preceptor Commitment Form will provide an overview of the field experience requirements for your program to a perspective preceptor. Signature by the preceptor is a requirement for your application.
Sites with Placement Processes
Before securing a practicum site and preceptor for your practicum course, please be aware that some sites may have specific placement or onboarding processes that must be followed. These may include deadlines, onboarding processes, placement processes, or other policies related to practicum.
Sites with Placement or Onboarding Policies or Procedures
Some practicum sites have specific policies and procedures for placement and onboarding for practicum. To ensure compliance, students should review the Affiliation Agreement Database in Meditrek for any specific instructions for sites. This may include placement protocols, application procedures, compliance requirements, or onboarding processes
Step-by-step directions on how to utilize the Affiliation Agreement database.
Important Note: Not all sites may be listed in the database, if you have questions about the placement or onboarding process of a site, email nursingfield@mail.waldenu.edu.
Sites that Require Walden to Place Students at Site
Some practicum sites may require Walden to directly secure a preceptorship at the site on behalf of the student. For these sites, students must schedule a coaching call with a Field Placement Coordinator to begin the placement process.
Sites that Assign Preceptors
Some practicum sites may require Walden to complete their placement process or finalize an affiliation agreement before assigning a preceptor. If so, students must email nursingfield@mail.waldenu.edu to request a link to submit either a Placement Request Form or an Affiliation Agreement Request Form. To ensure timely processing, students must submit the request form at least two months before the practicum application deadline or the site’s deadline – whichever comes first.