Nurse Practitioner Programs Practicum Manual for the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) and Post-Master’s Certificate:

Section 4. Identification of Preceptor and Practicum Site

It is critical to students’ successful practicum experiences that they thoroughly and completely review the Walden University College of Nursing Practicum Manual designated for their program and specialty area in their first term and throughout their program. Walden provides guidelines for identifying an appropriate preceptor and practicum site, and the manuals outline the practicum application submittal resources necessary in order to begin the practicum process.

Preparing early will be critical to practicum success. It is highly recommended that students work with the Office of Field Experience to start the search process for a practicum site and preceptor early in the program, as it can take a significant amount of time to identify a preceptor and practicum site and complete the application process.  Eligible students who would like to partner with a Field Placement Coordinator to be matched with a preceptor and practicum site through the Practicum Pledge™ service must begin the process early in their program to complete the registration requirements by the deadline.  

Walden’s program directors, director of field  experience specialization coordinators, field experience coordinators, field placement coordinators, practicum course faculty instructors, are committed to working collaboratively with students and preceptors to support the successful completion of practicum experiences.

• The process of selecting a site for placement begins with the student identifying a practicum site and initiating contact with a potential preceptor who meets the knowledge, education, skill, and certification qualifications necessary to support the outcomes as outlined in each field experience (i.e., practicum) course. Because Walden students are located around the world, students have the flexibility to identify sites and nominate preceptors based on their region or location.
• Most students should have their first preceptor nominee and a practicum site identified by the middle of their second term.
• Students should keep in mind that they are taking multiple courses that focus on different Learning Outcomes, and so and will need several different preceptors and sites over the course of their program.
• A completed practicum application must be submitted via Meditrek® by the practicum application deadline date designated for the program and specialty area.
• Walden’s policy on practicum sites and preceptors is aligned with the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education’s (CCNE) Key Element II-B Standard (2018), which states that “the program is responsible for ensuring adequate physical resources and clinical sites. Clinical sites are sufficient, appropriate, and available to achieve the program’s mission, goals, and expected outcomes.” Further, it is Walden’s policy to ensure adequate physical resources and practicum sites by collaborating with students, preceptors, and administrators to support the successful completion of each student’s program of study, including the field experience and practicum placements.

Reference:
Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education. (2018). Standards for accreditation of baccalaureate and graduate nursing programs: Key element II-B standard. CCNE. https://www.aacnnursing.org/Portals/42/CCNE/PDF/Standards-Final-2018.pdf

Students should read this manual and refer to the practicum application resources on the Office of Field Experience website to begin the practicum process. Walden provides guidelines for how to identify preceptors and practicum sites. Because Walden students are located around the world, they have the flexibility to identify sites based on their region/location. To begin the process, students identify a practicum site and initiate contact with a potential preceptor who meets the qualifications and may be interested in working with them.

Students are encouraged to start the search to identify practicum sites and possible preceptors at least three terms before the beginning of their practicum courses,  as it takes time for Walden to negotiate Affiliation Agreements with sites and to review qualifications of potential preceptors. Students should notify the Office of Field Experience of their identified preceptor nominees and practicum sites early in their program. Students should keep in mind that they are taking four courses that focus on different patient populations and will need multiple preceptors and sites over the course of their program. Students also are strongly encouraged to identify alternative practicum sites and preceptor nominees as back-ups and submit application prior to the application deadline, to increase their opportunity for placement during the students’ desired term and to avoid practicum and academic delay. A completed application must be submitted via Meditrek® by the practicum application deadline date. Students must submit their applications in Meditrek® in order for the applications to be reviewed and processed. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed and may delay practicum placement and academic progress.

See additional information on Application and Approval Process.

Identifying a practicum site and preceptor can be as intensive as a job search. The following tips are recommended for students when they are beginning the search process. Students should:

• Contact Career Planning and Development to update their résumés and cover letters with a focus on finding a practicum site. Career Planning and Development can also provide mock interviews to prepare students for speaking with potential preceptors. Please visit the Career Planning and Development website for more information.
• Field site lists are located on the Office of Field Experience website. This is a list of practicum sites that Walden University College of Nursing students have used in the past. A facility’s listing on this site does NOT guarantee that the site will be able to accommodate a student or that an active Affiliation Agreement is on file, but it is a good place to start.
• Use their professional and personal network to make connections. develop a profile on professional networks (e.g., LinkedIn) to network; research practicum sites; and connect with colleagues, alumni of Walden, and a variety of other professional nursing-related groups.
• Research professional nursing associations and organizations to find preceptor resources.
• Contact their state Board of Nursing to see if they have a list of available preceptors or resources.
• Schedule an appointment with their regional nursing field experience coordinator or field experience coordinator to discuss other tips and ideas for securing a preceptor and practicum site. Students can schedule an appointment online. Please keep in mind that the field experience coordinator cannot place students at a site but may offer further advice or assistance for students.
• Schedule an appointment with the specialization coordinator (contact information listed in Section 7); specialization coordinators cannot place students at a site but may be able to offer suggestions or assistance to identify potential preceptors or practicum sites.
• Access the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) student resources center, which may be helpful in finding a practicum site and preceptor.
• Attend a Field Experience Roundtable Session to learn more about the process. 

“Identifying” a practicum site and a preceptor means that the student has received confirmation from a site and preceptor that the site is willing to host the practicum and the preceptor is willing to supervise the student in the practicum experience during a specific term.

Students should consider their career goals after graduation when they are choosing a practicum site. They must match their practicum setting and the preceptor who they nominate with their goals, within the specific guidelines of the course. To finalize their education, students must have an opportunity to apply their acquired knowledge, concepts, and skills. To do this, students may need to travel to a setting other than their own practice setting.

Students may complete the practicum where they work. However, their practicum experience must be

• In a different setting than their usual assigned employment role or work area(s);
• Completed outside of their normal working hours; and
• Under the direction of a preceptor who is not their immediate supervisor and who does not report to them.

Note: Student 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, an Affiliation Agreement and onboarding are required for all practicum sites.

Students should follow the appropriate procedure at the practicum site to secure a practicum rotation and to understand the practicum site requirements prior to beginning the practicum.

Students who wish to conduct their practicum at their place of employment should be aware that that loss of employment during their practicum may interfere with their ability to complete their required practicum hours.

• See Supplemental Preceptor for more information.
• See Preceptor Requirements.

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. 

Instructions on how to nominate a preceptor are provided in Section 6: Practicum Approval Process.
Students should contact the Office of Field Experience with questions about qualifications and requirements of preceptors and practicum sites.   

Note: Walden discourages students from paying preceptors, practicum sites, or site placement agencies, due to conflicts of interest that can arise.

Preceptor Requirements

Prior to approval, the nominated preceptor’s experience, education, licensure and certification (if applicable) is verified and reviewed along with the Preceptor Commitment Form by the Office of Field Experience. The specialization coordinator gives final approval of preceptor nominees. 

NOTE:  These are general preceptor requirements for all specializations and courses.  Some state boards of nursing have specific requirements for preceptors and practicum.  Students must check with 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.  

Approval of the preceptor is based on the following criteria:

• General Requirements:

  • The preceptor has a minimum of one year of postgraduate unsupervised experience, based upon the original date of licensure for licensed practitioners. Their current job role must be relevant to the NP specialization. 

  • The preceptor is able and willing to commit to the preceptor role for the practicum experience.

  • The preceptor is employed at the practicum site where practicum takes place.

  • The preceptor is not the student's relative, family member, fiancé, roommate, significant other, personal friend, or 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 direct or immediate supervisor and does not report directly to the student.

  • The preceptor must not be a current Walden nurse practitioner student.

  • The preceptor has not reached the maximum number of approved students for the 1:1 preceptor to student on-site direct supervision ratio during the term.  Students must confirm with their preceptor that they will be the only student the preceptor will precept during the practicum experience.

• Course-Specific Requirements: See the “Course-Specific Preceptor, Site and Practicum Requirements” section to review specific requirements for each nurse practitioner practicum course.

• Educational Level Requirement: Preceptors must have the education degree.  
  Preceptors must also meet the educational level requirements for the specific practicum course.  See the “Course-Specific Preceptor, Site and Practicum Requirements” section to review specific education requirements for each practicum course. 

• General Educational level requirements include:

  • AGACNP, AGPCNP, FNP, PNP: holds a master’s or doctoral degree in nursing.
  • PMHNP or Psychiatrist: holds a master’s or doctoral degree in area of practice and licensed to practice in their specialty.
  • MD or DO: holds an earned doctoral degree.
  • PA: holds a master’s or doctoral degree.
  • Psychiatrist: holds an earned doctoral degree in area of practice, licensed and board-certified in psychiatry.
  • Psychologist: holds an earned doctoral degree.
  • Licensed Clinical Social Worker; Licensed Mental Health Counselor/Professional Counselor; or other appropriately licensed/certified mental health professional: holds a master’s degree in the area of mental health.

• Licensure & Certification Requirements: Preceptors must have an active, unencumbered license to practice in the particular area of specialization and in the specific state where practicum will occur and where the patients are located. Preceptors must also meet the licensure and certification requirements for the specific practicum course.  See the “Course-Specific Preceptor, Site and Practicum Requirements” section to review specific licensure and compliance requirements for each practicum course.

• General Licensing and Certification Preceptor Requirements Include: 
  • Nurse Practitioners: The preceptor is currently a registered nurse to practice as an NP in the particular area of specialization. The preceptor has national certification in an area of advanced practice nursing specialization (i.e., FNP; AGACNP; AGPCNP; PMHNP; certified nurse midwife [CNM]; adult, women’s health, or pediatric NP).
  • MD or DO: The preceptor is licensed as an MD or DO to practice medicine in the particular area of specialization.
  • PA: The preceptor is licensed as a physician’s assistant.
  • Psychiatrists: The preceptor is licensed as an MD or DO to practice medicine and is board-certified in psychiatry.
  • Psychologist: The preceptor is licensed as a psychologist.
  • Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Licensed Mental Health Counselor/Professional Counselor, or other appropriately licensed/certified mental health professional: The preceptor is licensed by the appropriate state board in the particular area of specialization.

More information: Preceptor to Student Ratio

If it is found that a student’s preceptor is a supervisor, direct report, relative, family member, fiancé, roommate, significant other, personal friend or primary care provider, the practicum hours will be rejected and not counted toward the practicum hour requirement. If a student utilizes a preceptor inappropriately as noted above, this may lead to an academic integrity violation up to and including dismissal from the university. Students are responsible for nominating preceptors that fully meet all requirements for preceptors.

Note: Please refer to the “Course Specific Requirements” section for more course-specific requirements for preceptors.

Important Note for Preceptor and Site Requirements

To learn the role of the nurse practitioner, it is required that at least two preceptors be NPs in an area of practice clearly relevant to meeting the objectives of the NP program/specialty. The two NP preceptors must cover two separate practicum courses. Having two NP preceptors for one course does not meet this requirement. Following are additional preceptor requirements:

• Students may only use the same preceptor for two of their four practicum courses.
• Students cannot use the same preceptor at the same practicum site when they are doubling up practicum courses during the same quarter.

• Physicians (MDs, DOs) and physician assistants (PAs) may serve as preceptors but must be credentialed and licensed to practice in the population-focused and/or specialty area of practice in the state where the practicum will occur. In addition, this area of practice should be clearly relevant to meeting the course objectives of the student’s NP program and meet the course specific guidelines. Students are not allowed to use MDs or PAs for all four courses as at least two preceptors must be NPs.
• Special notes about Physician Assistants (PAs) as preceptors:
  • PAs do not count as meeting the requirement of having two NPs as preceptors.
  • PAs may not serve as preceptors in the PMHNP program.
  • PAs may not serve as preceptors in some states due to specific state board of nursing regulations. Students should verify with their state Board of Nursing for requirements. Examples of some states that do not allow PAs as preceptors:  Alaska, Arizona, Florida, and Alabama.
  • Preceptors who are an APRN or MD/DO are the best options. However, if you are considering using a PA or other professional as a preceptor, it is helpful to contact your Board of Nursing and the Office of Field Experience to determine whether the preceptor is acceptable.

  Note: Approval of the preceptor must occur prior to the student starting the practicum course and logging hours. Students cannot begin logging practicum hours until their practicum application is fully approved, and they have been registered for the course.

The following are requirements, listed by specialization, for students to review when choosing a preceptor and site for each required practicum course. Students must also review general preceptor and site requirements listed above. 

Note: For all courses, students are not allowed to complete practicum hours in operating rooms, surgeries, or labor and delivery, or do home visits.

NOTE:  Students who enter a Post Master’s certificate program with a certain approved APRN licensure and certification and receive prior nursing credit for a practicum course must complete three practicum courses, with a minimum of 500 hours of supervised clinical experience (167 hours in each course) in the new specialization focus area.