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.

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.