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Nursing Field Experience:
Plan for Practicum

Step 1: Planning for Your Practicum Journey

The first step to your practicum journey is planning.  As part of your plan you should know; 

  • Your degree program, specialization, track, and learning modality.
  • The course(s) in your degree plan that require practicum.
  • What term you will take your practicum course(s).
  • How to access the Practicum Manual. 
  • The application deadline dates for the terms you plan to take your course(s).
  • Resources available for professional preparation.

Know your Degree Information, Practicum Courses & Timeline

The Walden University College of Nursing has three degree programs and certificate programs that require practicum: BSN, MSN, DNP and Post-Master's Certificate. Each degree and certificate program has multiple specializations and tracks. Walden also offers two learning modality options: Course-based and Tempo-based learning. Knowing your degree, specialization and track is key to determining which practicum courses you are required to complete.

Once you know your degree, specialization, track, and modality you can determine which practicum courses you need to take and when you will take them. Each course has different pre-requisites and practicum requirements.  

Schedule a phone appointment with your Student Success Advisor or Tempo Academic Coach to ensure you are confident in knowing which practicum courses you need to take and when. Course-based students may also utilize Degree Works. 

Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) Catalog

Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) Catalog

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Catalog

Post-Master's Certificates Catalog

Know about Practicum

Attend a Roundtable Session on "Planning for Practicum Overview"

Important Practicum Dates & Deadlines

You must submit one application per preceptor nominee, practicum site, course, and term. You will not be registered to take a practicum course without an approved application in Meditrek. The process is lengthy and applying by the deadline is critical. Failure to submit your practicum application by the deadline may result in a delay to the next term and a delay in your graduation date.

Read the Practicum Manual

The Practicum Manuals outline policies and procedures for field experience. You are required to read the Practicum Manual in detail and adhere to the policies included within. You must confirm you have read and understand all the policies in this manual when you apply for practicum.

Additional Important Resources

Attend a Roundtable Session

Attend the following Roundtable Webinar Sessions to learn more about planning for practicum to help you prepare for practicum and understand practicum requirements.  

  • Planning for Practicum  
  • Preceptorship Requirements – Practicum Overview by Program 
  • Tips to Find a Preceptor & Site  

Review the schedule and register for a Roundtable Session online.   

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.

Polish your professional brand

Take steps to polish your image and shine through your professional brand. Watch this video to learn more:

Transcript Presentation Slides Professionalism Resources

Update your professional portfolio & resume

Build a Resume

Are you looking to create an impactful resume and/or portfolio to apply for practicum sites or job opportunities?  Take these steps to communicate your academic and professional skills:

  1. Review these resume samples for ideas on how to improve your documents (IMPORTANT: the templates samples are here to guide you; remember to use your own language when creating your documents):
  1. Log into SkillsFirst using your Walden email address and password to view additional resume samples. Refer to the SkillsFirst Resume Guide-Field Experience for step-by-step instructions on how to build your documents using this system.
  2. Explore the Resumes & More tab for additional resume-writing tips.  Remember to always bring your best self forward on your resume by including a professional-looking email address and a phone number with a professional-sounding voicemail greeting. 

Create a Cover Letter 

Create a cover letter for practicum site searches that captures your work and volunteer experience, education, and qualifications.   

  1. Review the cover letter samples below for ideas on how to create your document (IMPORTANT: these templates are here to guide you; remember to use your own language when creating your cover letter):
  1. Visit the Resumes & More tab to gain additional cover letter writing tips, review outlines, and watch career skills videos.
     
  2. Build a cover letter using SkillsFirst. Refer to the SkillsFirst Letter Guide-Field Experience for instructions on how to create documents using this system.

Design a Portfolio 

Stand out to potential practicum sites and employers by creating an e-portfolio to highlight your academic and professional achievements.

  1. Log into SkillsFirst using your Walden credentials to build an e-portfolio.  Inside SkillsFirst, you will find the Nursing Practicum Portfolio template.  You can use this template to create your document.
     
  2. Refer to the SkillsFirst Portfolio Guide for step-by-step instructions on how to create, edit, and share your portfolio.

Networking

Uncover practicum and employment possibilities by strengthening your online and offline networks, engaging in professional activities, and enhancing your professional image.

  1. Gain tips to boost your online presence and learn how to connect with professionals by watching Launching with LinkedIn
     
  2. Join and become involved in state and national professional associations, such as:
  1. Reach out to nursing professionals for informational interviews.  Refer to these tips on how to prepare for an informational interview.
     
  2. For additional associations and professional development sites, visit the networking tab.
     
  3. Engage in the Walden community through student organizations. 
    TIP: Join the Honor Society for Nursing, Sigma Theta Tau.
     
  4.  Find opportunities to network at professional conferences and events.

 

Walden Career Planning and Development Resources:

Marketing yourself

These tools can help you communicate with nursing professionals and potential practicum sites.

  1. Practice your elevator pitch.
  2. Learn how to share the benefits of being a Walden nursing student. 
  3. Prepare to communicate with potential practicum sites via phone, email, in-person, and online.

Marketing yourself to Potential Practicum Sites 

  1. Register on the Walden Job and Internship Search Locator job board.
  2. Access the GoinGlobal job search system using your Walden credentials.
  3. Use interest-specific job boards for Health Sciences to expand your practicum site search.
  4. Search for potential preceptors using these sites:
  5. Review the Career Planning Resources for Field Experience page.

 

Practice interviewing

Get ready to show potential practicum sites and employers that you are the best candidate for the opportunity you are seeking.

  1. Log into SkillsFirst and use its Interviews module to practice your interviewing skills. Refer to the step-by-step SkillsFirst Interview Questions Guide to access 12,000+ interview questions.
    TIP: Search for Nursing Field Experience to practice practicum-specific interview questions.
     
  2. Learn more about effective interview strategies on the Interviews tab.
     
  3. Read a blog story on preparing for a variety of interview formats including one-on-one, group, and panel interviews.
     
  4. Watch the Interview Strategies video below to learn how to tackle tough interview questions.
Transcript Presentation Slides

Practicum Plan

In certain courses you will be required to submit a practicum plan in Meditrek as part of a course assignment. You should follow all directions as outlined in the course syllabus in Canvas. 

Get Started with Meditrek

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

Access issues? Contact the Customer Care Team 24/7.