Nursing Practicum Manual:

Section 2.3 Program and Practicum Requirements: Nurse Practitioner Programs for Master of Science (MSN) and Post-Master’s Certificate (PMC)

Overview of Program

The College of Nursing offers a range of programs, specializations, and tracks. Here is an overview of the MSN and PMC Nurse Practitioner program: 

Overview of Specializations/Tracks

The following courses are the required practicum courses for each specialization. 

Students enrolled in an RN Track for an MSN program must also review the practicum requirements for undergraduate practicum courses in the undergraduate (BSN) section of this manual. 

* Exceptions to Practicum Hours:

• Students in PMC Track II Fast Track Programs: Students who enter a Fast Track (Track II) Post Master’s certificate program with a certain approved APRN licensure and certification and receive prior nursing credit for a practicum course when admitted to Walden must complete three practicum courses, with a minimum of 500 hours of supervised practicum experience (167 hours in each course) in the three practicum courses.
• Students Planning to be Licensed in Kansas: Students who plan to be licensed as an APRN in the state of Kansas must complete a total of 750 practicum hours if they enrolled at Walden as a new student or as a returning readmitted student on or after March 1, 2025. New MSN and PMC students must complete 188 hours in each course.  New PMC Track II Fast Track students must complete 250 hours in each course. Returning readmitted students must complete a total of 750 practicum hours by the end of their practicum courses.       

Students must schedule a phone appointment with their Student Success Advisor or Academic Coach early in their program to develop their degree plan and understand their required practicum course(s), the required prerequisite courses, practicum requirements, when they plan to take the practicum course(s), and the appropriate practicum application deadline(s). 

Students must complete the required prerequisite courses and follow the course sequence policy before being eligible or approved for a practicum course. Students will not be approved for a practicum course if the prerequisite course(s) has not been successfully completed, if the student is not currently enrolled in the prerequisite course(s), or if the student is applying for a practicum course that is against the course sequence policy. Prerequisite courses are required to be completed before practicum courses because the learning objectives must be mastered prior to proceeding to the next course. Students cannot take two practicum courses in the same term if they have not completed the required prerequisite course(s) or if it is against the course sequence policy. Students can review prerequisite courses and any course sequence policy for practicum courses in the Walden University Catalog at https://academics.waldenu.edu/catalog/nursing.

Students must go through the appeal process in Meditrek in order to appeal the ability to waive a prerequisite course for a practicum course, take a practicum course out of order, waive a course sequence policy, waive a prerequisite course to take two practicum courses during the same term, or waive the course sequence policy to take two practicum courses during the same term. The ability to appeal a policy does not guarantee an appeal will be granted. To initiate the appeal process, students must request an appeal link and code through their Advisor/Coach or by emailing the Office of Field Experience at nursingfield@mail.waldenu.edu. Upon a request from a student, the Advisor/Coach or the Field Experience Coordinator will email instructions and a code for the student to submit their appeal in Meditrek accordingly. Students must review the Appeal Policy in Section 5.

Students are responsible for nominating preceptors and practicum sites that fully meet all requirements for practicum.  If it is found that a student’s preceptor is a relative, family member, fiancé, roommate, significant other, personal friend, primary care provider, supervisor/manager, direct report, another Walden University nursing student, or any other relationship that would be considered a conflict of interest, practicum hours will be rejected and not counted toward the practicum hour requirement. If a student utilizes a practicum site or preceptor inappropriately that violates practicum policies, as outlined in the Practicum Manual, this may lead to an academic integrity violation that could result in a sanction up to and including dismissal from the university. Findings from Academic Integrity and Code of Conduct inquiries may be reported to the student’s state board of nursing. 

Double Practicum Policy for Nurse Practitioner Courses

Students are permitted to enroll in two practicum courses for select courses in the same term if they have completed all prerequisite courses; meet the course sequence policy; have successfully passed their first NRNP/DRNP and PRAC/PRCM course; and meet the eligibility criteria. Practicum courses that can be doubled during a term include nurse practitioner courses (PRAC/PRCM and NRNP/DRNP) and DNP practicum courses. Students must review the prerequisite courses and course sequence policy for the practicum and didactic courses in the University Catalog. 

Eligibility Criteria:  

• Student has successfully completed all required prerequisite courses.
• Student has met the course sequence policy for the two courses.
• Student has successfully completed their first PRAC/PRCM and NRNP/DRNP course.
• Student must be in good academic standing.
• Student must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0.
• Student must not have failed a practicum course in the past.
• Student must complete practicum hours for each practicum course on different days. 
• Student must have different preceptors and different practicum sites for each practicum course.

Students must go through the appeal process in Meditrek in order to appeal the ability to waive a prerequisite course for a practicum course, take a practicum course out of order, waive a course sequence policy, waive a prerequisite course to take two practicum courses during the same term, or waive the course sequence policy to take two practicum courses during the same term. Submitting an appeal does not guarantee the appeal will be granted. Students must review the Appeal Policy in Section 5 of this manual. 

Policy for NRNP/DRNP Didactic Nurse Practitioner Courses

Students must either successfully complete the corresponding NRNP/DRNP didactic course for the PRAC/PRCM practicum course prior to beginning the PRAC/PRCM course or enroll in the corresponding NRNP/DRNP course in the same term they take the PRAC/PRCM course. Students must contact their Student Success Advisor to register for an NRNP/DRNP course if they don’t plan to apply or are not approved for the corresponding PRAC/PRCM practicum course.

Students are permitted to enroll in two didactic courses for select courses in the same term if they have completed all prerequisite courses and meet the course sequence policy outlined in the University Catalog. Students must review the prerequisite courses and course sequence policy for the practicum and didactic courses in the University Catalog.

Students must go through the appeal process in Meditrek in order to appeal the ability to waive a prerequisite course or waive a course sequence policy for a NRNP/DRNP course. Students must review the Appeal Policy in Section 5 of this manual. 

If students drop or withdraw from a NRNP/DRNP course during the term or fail a NRNP/DRNP course due to Academic Integrity or Code of Conduct during the term, students must also withdraw or be withdrawn from the corresponding PRAC/PRCM course because NRNP/DRNP courses must be taken prior to or concurrently with the PRAC/PRCM course.

Students must identify and secure a preceptor and practicum site for their practicum experience.  Students must determine whether the preceptorship meets the requirements for the preceptor and practicum site. Students should utilize Preceptorship Prescreen Checklists for the practicum course to check if a preceptor and practicum site may be appropriate for the practicum course prior to submitting a practicum application. 

Once a preceptor and practicum site are secured, students must submit a practicum application in Meditrek to nominate the preceptor and practicum site. Instructions on the Practicum Approval Process are described in Section 4 in this Practicum Manual. Prior to approval, the nominated preceptor’s licensure and certification (if applicable) is reviewed and verified; the Preceptor Commitment Form is reviewed and processed; and the preceptor’s credentials and qualifications are reviewed and evaluated by the Office of Field Experience. The faculty and Program Coordinator gives final approval of preceptorship nominees. Approval of the preceptor is based on the criteria outlined in this section. 

Approval of the preceptor and practicum site must occur prior to the student starting the practicum course and completing practicum hours. Students cannot begin completing and logging practicum hours until their practicum application is fully approved in Meditrek, they are enrolled in the course, it is after the first day of the term, and they have received approval from their Walden faculty instructor to begin the practicum experience.

Some state boards of nursing have specific requirements for preceptors and practicum.  Students must review the regulations of 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 for preceptorships. For example, Alaska, Arizona, Florida, Pennsylvania, and Texas have specific requirements for Nurse Practitioner preceptors that restrict certain practitioners as preceptors for nurse practitioner courses.

Students must go through the appeal process in Meditrek to appeal any practicum policy, including policies related to practicum site and/or preceptor requirements or to appeal a closure of a practicum application. Students must review the Appeal Policy and Process for practicum in Section 5 of this manual. 

Students should contact the Office of Field Experience with questions about requirements of preceptors and practicum sites.

Practicum Site Placement and Onboarding Process

Students must follow the appropriate procedure at the practicum site to secure a practicum rotation by the site’s deadline, complete onboarding processes required by the site, and understand the practicum site requirements prior to beginning the practicum. If a practicum site requires a placement and/or rotation process or requires an affiliation agreement prior to assigning a student a preceptor, students must follow procedures described in the section titled "Sites that Require a Placement Process or Affiliation Agreement Before Preceptor Assignment".

State Restrictions for Practicum Sites  

Walden University is not authorized to provide educational experiences in every state or country for all nursing programs. Students must review this list of states and countries with restrictions for enrollment and practicum approval:  Restricted States - Restricted States for Practicum. The Office of Field Experience cannot approve practicum applications in states or countries listed on this list under any circumstance. This policy cannot be appealed.

Student’s Place of Employment for Practicum Site

Students may complete the practicum where they work, assuming the facility is appropriate for their area of specialization and meets the requirements for the specific practicum course. However, their practicum experience must be:

• Completed in a different setting outside of their current work department/unit;
• Completed outside of their normal working hours;
• Not under the direction of a preceptor who reports to them; and
• Not under the direction of a preceptor who is their immediate supervisor or manager.

Students’ 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 at the nominated practicum site, an Affiliation Agreement and onboarding are required for all students as required by the practicum site and/or Walden University.

Students who wish to conduct their practicum at their place of employment should be aware that change of employment before or during their practicum may interfere with their ability to complete their practicum experience at the site. Students must email nursingfield@mail.waldenu.edu immediately upon a change of employment status 

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. Students should only nominate preceptors who meet the preceptor requirements for practicum. 

Preceptor Requirements – General Requirements

• The preceptor must hold the required academic degree that meets the requirements of the course; profession; licensure; certification; and is in a field related to the role and focus of the practicum experience.    
  • Undergraduate level courses: The preceptor must hold a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree or higher.
  • Master’s level courses: The preceptor must hold a master’s or doctoral degree. 
  • Doctoral level courses: The preceptor must hold a master’s or doctoral degree, but a doctoral degree is preferred.    
• The preceptor must hold an active and unencumbered license to practice in the specialization in the state or country where the practicum experience will occur for licensed preceptors.    
• The preceptor must meet the specific licensure, certification, and/or board-certification requirements for the specialization and practicum course. See the “Practicum Course Requirements for Practicum Sites & Preceptors” section for requirements.
• The preceptor must have a minimum of 1 year of postgraduate unsupervised experience in the area of specialization for the practicum course. For licensed practitioners, the 1 year of experience is based upon the original date of licensure for the specialization. 
• The preceptor holds a current position and role that is relevant to the specialization, relevant to the focus of the practicum experience, and meets the requirements of the course.  
• The preceptor is a current employee of the practicum site at the practicum site location.
• The preceptor nominee is not the student’s relative, family member, fiancé, roommate, significant other, personal friend, 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 supervisor/manager, employee, or direct report.   
• The preceptor is not a current Walden University nursing student. 
• The preceptor is not precepting other students during the same time they plan to precept you during your practicum experience because preceptors must only precept one student for direct supervision at any given time.   
• The preceptor is able and willing to commit to the preceptor role for the duration of the practicum experience.
• The preceptor must meet the specific requirements for the program, specialization, and practicum course. See the “Practicum Course Requirements for Practicum Sites & Preceptors” section for requirements. 

Preceptorship Requirements – Program Requirements

• Students are required to precept with at least one Nurse Practitioner during their four practicum courses. However, it is strongly recommended for students to precept with at least two Nurse Practitioners in two different NP practicum courses. This policy is important for students to learn the role of a nurse practitioner in the area of specialization. Preceptors that are MDs, DOs, CNSs, or PAs do not count towards meeting the policy of having one NP as a preceptor.  
• Students can only use the same preceptor twice for two of their four practicum courses. Students cannot use the same preceptor for more than two practicum courses.
• Students may complete practicum at the same practicum site for all four practicum courses when completing one practicum course a term only if the practicum site meets the practicum requirements for the practicum course and is an acceptable site option for the practicum course.  
• Students must have different preceptors and practicum sites when taking two practicum courses during the same term because students cannot use the same preceptor and/or the same practicum site when taking two practicum courses during the same term. Students must complete practicum hours for each practicum course on different days when taking two practicum courses in the same term.  
• Students must confirm with their preceptor that they will not be precepting other students during the same time they plan to precept them during their practicum experience. Preceptors and students must ensure a 1:1 preceptor to student ratio for on-site direct supervision during the practicum experience. See the Preceptor Ratio Policy.
• Students considering utilizing a preceptor who is not an APRN or a MD/DO must review regulations of their state board of nursing to determine if the preceptor will be acceptable to ensure they will meet the requirements of the state board of nursing for preceptorship hours for APRN licensure and certification. Here are some examples of states that have specific requirements for preceptorships as determined by the board of nursing:   
  • Some state boards of nursing only permit preceptors to be an APRN or MD such as, but not limited to, Alaska, Arizona, Kansas, Pennsylvania, etc. 
  • Some state boards of nursing do not permit the use of Physician Assistants to serve as preceptors, such as, but not limited to, Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Florida, Kansas, and Pennsylvania.    

This section includes requirements for practicum sites and preceptors for each practicum course for each specialization. Students must review these requirements for each practicum course along with the general requirements for practicum sites and general requirements for preceptors, which are listed above, when securing a preceptor and practicum site.

NOTE: The examples listed under nonacceptable site options and nonacceptable preceptor options are not an exhaustive list of what is considered nonacceptable. Students should focus on the site and preceptor options that are listed as acceptable when searching for a practicum site and preceptor.  

Students are responsible for nominating preceptors and practicum sites that fully meet all requirements for practicum.  If it is found that a student’s preceptor is a relative, family member, fiancé, roommate, significant other, personal friend, primary care provider, supervisor/manager, direct report, another Walden University nursing student, or any other relationship that would be considered a conflict of interest, practicum hours will be rejected and not counted toward the practicum hour requirement. If a student utilizes a practicum site or preceptor inappropriately that violates practicum policies, as outlined in the Practicum Manual, this may lead to an academic integrity violation that could result in a sanction up to and including dismissal from the university. Findings from Academic Integrity and Code of Conduct inquiries may be reported to the student’s state board of nursing. 

Preceptor-to-Student Ratio

Walden requires preceptors to have an onsite preceptor-to-student ratio of 1:1 for direct supervision at any given time. Students are only permitted to complete practicum hours under 1:1 direct supervision by their approved preceptor. Walden will only approve a preceptor to precept students during the same term that guarantees a 1:1 preceptor to student ratio for direct supervision at any given time. While Walden may approve up to two Walden University students per term with the same preceptor under limited conditions, the preceptor must maintain the 1:1 direct supervision at any given time. The preceptor must only precept one student for direct supervision at any given time. Students are not to count practicum activities, hours, or patients if they are with other students during their practicum experiences. The purpose of this standard is to ensure that students have quality learning experience. 

The Office of Field Experience reviews, approves, and monitors applications for nominated preceptors in order that applications are submitted. It is highly recommended that upon securing a preceptor, students submit their application in Meditrek immediately because applications are processed based on the submission date. Practicum applications will be closed, and preceptors will not be approved for students if a nominated preceptor has met the maximum number of students for which they can precept during the term.

Supplemental Preceptorships

Students may need additional preceptorships in order to meet all the requirements for the course including completing all the required practicum hours, practicum activities, course objectives, or other practicum requirements. Students needing to complete practicum at multiple practicum sites and/or with multiple preceptors to meet the requirements of the practicum course, have the option to nominate multiple practicum sites and/or preceptors as a supplemental preceptorship by submitting a supplemental application, provided the supplemental site and preceptor meets the requirements. Supplemental applications must be submitted by the application deadline. Students who need to submit a supplemental application for a supplemental site or preceptor after the application deadline or during the term, students must go through the waitlist process to submit a waitlist application.  Supplemental applications go through the same review process as other applications and the same policies and requirements apply. Supplemental applications must be approved in Meditrek prior to students beginning their hours and practicum experience.   

Telehealth Practicum Experiences

Nurse Practitioner students enrolled in select specializations and courses have the option to complete practicum experiences for a limited number of hours doing telehealth patient visits. Telehealth is defined as the provision of synchronous healthcare services that occurs when the provider and the patient are interacting with each other in a live real-time manner remotely/virtually by means of electronic technology (e.g. video conference call).

Students must be onsite at the practicum site with the preceptor when conducting practicum activities via telehealth. Students must be in-person with their approved preceptor at the practicum site location when conducting telehealth patient visits while the patient is remote/virtual. Audio and video must be used in order for students to count the practicum experience as telehealth hours. Telephone appointments are not permitted. Patient visits completed via telehealth must be logged as telehealth in logs and do not count for onsite direct patient care practicum experiences since the patient is remote/virtual. 

Scenarios of what is NOT permitted for telehealth:

• Patient, preceptor, and student are remote/virtual at separate locations.
• Patient and student are remote/virtual, but the preceptor is onsite at the site.
• Patient and preceptor are onsite at the site, but the student is remote/virtual.
• Patient and student are onsite at the site, but the preceptor is remote/virtual.
• Patient is onsite at the site, but the preceptor and student are remote/virtual at separate locations.
• Patient is onsite at the site, but the preceptor and student are at a location other than the practicum site.
• Student is at the preceptor’s residential home setting.
• Student is at the patient’s residential home setting.
• Preceptor and student at any location other than the official business location for the practicum site.

If approved for telehealth, the following are approved limits of telehealth hours by specialization program and course(s):

• AGACNP:  No telehealth is permitted
• AGPCNP:
  • 6531: No telehealth is permitted
  • 6540: No telehealth is permitted
  • 6552: 25% practicum hours and patient encounters
  • 6565: 25% practicum hours and patient encounters
• FNP: 
  • 6531: No telehealth is permitted
  • 6541: No telehealth is permitted
  • 6552: 25% practicum hours and patient encounters
  • 6568: 25% practicum hours and patient encounters
• PNP:  No telehealth is permitted
• PMHNP: 
  • 6635: 25% practicum hours and patient encounters
  • 6645: No telehealth is permitted
  • 6665: 75% practicum hours and patient encounters
  • 6675: 75% practicum hours and patient encounters

NOTE: The percentage of telehealth hours is based on the total percentage of the practicum hours and includes the percentage of patient encounters.   

Preceptor Requirements - Telehealth:   

• Preceptors must be providing the same type of services and serving the same type of patients as required by the course as outlined under the “Course Requirements” section.
• Preceptors must meet all other preceptor requirements outlined in this manual. 
• Preceptors must be onsite in-person at the practicum site with the student. 
• Preceptors must be conducting telehealth at the official place of business for the practicum site and not at their residential home. 
• Preceptors must be providing telehealth services via a HIPAA compliant system.  
• Preceptors providing telehealth services must be licensed in the state(s) where the patients are located. 
• Preceptors must meet all the regulations related to telehealth of their state licensing board and other appropriate regulatory bodies.

Practicum Site Requirements - Telehealth:   

• Practicum sites must be providing the same type of services and serving the same type of patients as required by the course as outlined under the “Course Requirements” section.
• Practicum sites must meet all other practicum site requirements outlined in this manual. 
• Practicum sites must allow the student to complete practicum via telehealth onsite in-person with the preceptor.  
• Practicum sites must operate at a physical location that is owned or leased by the site with a physical address that belongs to the site.  Addresses for a post office box, virtual office, co-working facility, or other rental mailboxes are not acceptable.   
• Practicum sites must not be private residential home settings because students are not permitted to go to private residential home settings of patients or preceptors for practicum experiences.   

Students must submit a practicum application for telehealth in Meditrek by following directions outlined in the Application Tutorial, Telehealth Practicum Applications Video Tutorial, and Section 4 Practicum Approval Process section of this manual. Students must have a practicum application for telehealth approved in Meditrek before beginning the telehealth practicum experience. 

Walden approved preceptors that are unable to precept a student for a short-term period unexpectedly (e.g., sick, unexpected short-term medical leave, short-term bereavement leave, short-term jury duty service) or would like the student to complete hours with another practitioner to gain additional relevant experiences with different types of patients, services, or patient visits, may assign a student to complete hours with another practitioner at the site only under the direction and consent of the Walden approved preceptor. The approved preceptor must give approval of this additional practitioner assignment to the student and agree to sign off on these hours in time logs in Meditrek. Under these guidelines, students are permitted to log up to a total of 25% of the total practicum hours with other practitioners at the approved practicum site. Hours will not be accepted or count towards the hour requirement for the course if the approved preceptor does not sign off on these hours in the time logs in Meditrek.

Guidelines to Complete Up to 25% of Practicum Hours Under Other Practitioners:

• Students are only permitted to log up to 25% of the total practicum hours with other practitioners at the practicum site with approval from the approved preceptor. Of the required 160 practicum hours, only 40 hours may be completed with other practitioners at the approved practicum site. 
• The other practitioner(s) must be employed by the approved practicum site and covered under the affiliation agreement. 
• The other practitioner(s) must see patients and provide services that meet the course requirements. 
• The practicum hours and activities must only be completed at the approved practicum site. 

The practicum hours completed must be related to the course learning objectives and course requirements. 

Procedures to Complete Practicum Hours Under Other Practitioners:

• Students must have consent and approval from their Walden approved preceptor (the preceptor approved in Meditrek) prior to completing hours with another practitioner at the site. 
• Students must communicate this additional assignment with another practitioner immediately to their practicum faculty instructor prior to completing the hours. 
• Students must document the hours in the time log in Meditrek as follows.
  • Select the approved preceptor’s name in the preceptor drop-down box. 
  • Put the name of the practitioner in the notes section of the time log. 
  • Add the role of the practitioner in the notes section of the time log. 
  • Include the reason for the assignment in the notes section of the time log. 
• The Walden approved preceptor must sign off and accept the practicum hours in Meditrek for the hours to be valid. 

Practicum courses and practicum experiences assist a student’s transition from the learner role to that of scholar-practitioner. To achieve this transition, students develop and engage in a mentoring relationship with a practicum faculty instructor and an approved preceptor at a practicum site, focusing on roles and role functions; the achievement of learning objectives; and the completion of practicum activities. Practicum courses are designed to be the capstone experience for students. The practicum experience requires students to apply the knowledge, concepts, and skills that they have acquired in their didactic courses during their program of study particularly in relation to their specialization. The primary objective of the practicum is to guide students to focus on their role and integrate new knowledge into practice to become scholar-practitioners after graduation. 

Practicum is an onsite practicum experience completed in person at an approved practicum site with an approved preceptor. Students must become intimately familiar with this Practicum Manual and adhere to the policies and procedures within. The practicum process is collegial, with the recognition that students are adult learners who are capable of critical self-reflection, open to constructive feedback, and responsible for their own learning.   

Students may NOT begin any practicum hours or practicum activities with the preceptor or at the practicum site before (a) the start of the term, (b) they receive practicum application approval in Meditrek from the Office of Field Experience, (c) they are registered/enrolled in the practicum course, and (d) they receive approval from the faculty instructor for the practicum course once the course begins. Students cannot begin completing practicum hours or logging practicum hours until these conditions have been met.     

Students must only complete practicum hours and practicum activities only with preceptors at practicum sites as approved in Meditrek. Practicum hours or practicum activities completed with a preceptor or at a site other than what was identified in an approved practicum application will be rejected and students will be required to repeat the hours. Students completing practicum hours with an unapproved preceptor or at an unapproved practicum site will be subject to a Code of Conduct inquiry and may result in disciplinary action, including but not limited to course failure and permanent dismissal from the university. For more information about the Code of Conduct, refer to the Walden University Student Handbook: Code of Conduct section.    

All approved preceptors must complete the responsibilities of preceptors to include signing of time logs in Meditrek, calls with faculty, and completion of practicum evaluations in Meditrek as outlined in Section 1 of this manual. It is the student’s responsibility to ensure their approved preceptor has access to Meditrek, signs time logs in Meditrek, and completes practicum evaluations in Meditrek.    

Once students begin their practicum course, they are supervised and evaluated by a Walden practicum course faculty instructor as outlined in Section 1 of this manual. Practicum course faculty instructors grade student coursework and, in general, return student written work within Walden guidelines, and issue the final grade. Practicum faculty instructors also maintain contact with preceptors and students to determine whether student learning needs are being met by their practicums, as well as to monitor student progress. This process includes the preceptor providing feedback by completing a midterm and final evaluation. Faculty instructors review the preceptor’s evaluation and provide final grading for the course. Students must consult with the faculty instructor for the practicum course by phone, videoconference, or email about their progress throughout the term as stipulated in the course syllabus.  

Students must review more information on how to be successful in practicum courses on the Course Success webpage on the Field Experience website.

Students must go through the appeal process through Meditrek to appeal any practicum policy, including policies related to practicum course requirements. Students must review the Appeal Policy and Process for practicum in Section 5 of this manual. 

Practicum Orientation and Training

Students must review and complete the following orientation and training prior to beginning their practicum experience once they are approved for practicum and registered in a practicum course.   

• Orientation:  Practicum Orientation for Students
• Training:  Guide to Professional Presence, Communication, and Conduct in Field Experience
• Course Success:  Webpage for Course Success

Practicum Hours  

Students must complete all required practicum hours for each practicum course by completing required practicum activities by the posted deadline. Practicum hours must be completed onsite at the approved practicum site location with the approved preceptor. The required practicum hours for each practicum course are listed under the Practicum Courses section in this manual.  

Students must complete the required practicum hours by the posted deadline for the course and term and enter time logs in Meditrek to document practicum hours by following directions in this manual for Time Logs.

• Course-Based Courses: Students must complete practicum hours by the posted deadline.
  • Undergraduate Courses: Students must complete practicum hours by Week 6 of the term.
  • Nurse Practitioner Courses: Students must complete practicum hours by Week 10 of the term. Practicum hours must be completed over a duration of no less than 8 weeks to ensure exposure to a wide range of practicum and patient experiences.  Students may complete and log up to 12 hours a day if not working the same day. Any student doing practicum hours on a day they work are not to exceed a maximum of 16 hours, combined, for work and practicum hours.
  • Master Specialty Courses: Students must complete practicum hours by Week 10 of the term.
  • DNP Courses: Students must complete practicum hours by Week 10 of the term.
• Tempo-Based Courses: Practicum approval is valid for 13 weeks from the start date of the term for the approved practicum application. Students can complete practicum hours anytime within this 13-week period, but students should complete practicum hours by the end of this 13-week approval period. While there is no minimum number of weeks required to complete the practicum activities and hours; students may progress at a pace that aligns with their schedule and learning objectives as agreed upon with their preceptor and faculty instructor. The 13-week approval period begins at the start date of the practicum term and not the first day the student begins practicum hours. Practicum hours must be documented in Meditrek in time logs by midnight on the last day of the 13-week approval period. Students who must complete practicum hours after the 13-week approval period must go through the Remedial Application process. Students must follow directions for Remedial Applications outlined in the Practicum Application Process section.

Students are only to complete practicum hours and practicum activities with approved preceptors at the location of the practicum site that have been approved by the Office of Field Experience in Meditrek. Students who complete or log practicum hours with an unapproved preceptor and/or practicum site will have the hours rejected and the hours will not count toward the practicum requirements of the course; and be subject to a Code of Conduct inquiry, which may result in disciplinary action.    

Practicum hours are specific to the course and the term. Practicum hours cannot be carried over to a different term or practicum course if a student withdraws, drops a course, or fails a course.  

Students must contact their faculty instructor for the practicum course if they are unable to complete the required practicum hours by the deadline to discuss possible options, which will be dependent upon a variety of factors including how many hours are completed, time left in the term, and the plan to complete the remaining hours. 

Patient Encounters

Students must meet the requirements for the number of patient encounters for each nurse practitioner practicum course during their approved practicum experience by Week 10 of the term. The required patient encounters for each practicum course are listed under the Course Requirements for Practicum Sites & Preceptors section in this manual.  

Students must complete the required patient encounters over a duration of no less than 8 weeks to ensure exposure to a wide range of patient experiences. Students must enter Patient Logs in Meditrek to document patient encounters by following directions in this manual for Patient Logs.

Students should only see patients that meet the requirements and criteria of the practicum course.  Students must document every patient encounter in a Patient Log in Meditrek. Students may likely log more than the required patients in order to complete the required practicum hours. Students do not necessarily need to see unique patients since follow-up visits with the same patient count as a separate encounter. 

For PMHNP courses for group sessions, each patient in the group counts as a patient encounter. Students will document each patient participating in the group session individually in Meditrek and include the group intervention and response in the note section.

Patient encounters are specific to the course and the term. Patient encounters cannot be carried over to a different term or practicum course if a student withdraws, drops a course, or fails a course.  

Students must contact their faculty instructor for the practicum course if they are unable to complete the required patient encounters by the deadline to discuss possible options, which will be dependent upon a variety of factors including how many patient encounters are completed, time left in the term, and the plan to complete the remaining patient encounters. 

Practicum Activities  

Students must satisfactorily complete all the required practicum activities and course assignments of their practicum course(s) in accordance with the information provided in this manual and the course syllabus. Students complete the classroom didactic portion of the course online and complete practicum activities with the approved preceptor(s) at the approved practicum site(s).

All practicum activities must be under the direction of the approved preceptor(s) at the approved location for the practicum site. Students are only permitted to complete practicum hours under 1:1 direct supervision by their approved preceptor. Students are not to count practicum activities or practicum hours if they are with other students during their practicum experiences. 

Practicum activities and hours must be completed on-site at the approved practicum site location under the supervision and guidance of the approved preceptor.

The following practicum activities count toward required practicum hours:

• Direct patient care.
• Shadowing the preceptor for a maximum of 8 hours per term per approved preceptor. Shadowing is defined as following and observing the preceptor with no direct patient care. 
• Attendance at rounds or meetings that specifically discuss patient care and coordination of care (multidisciplinary or interdisciplinary teams). 
• Documentation in the patient’s medical record in the practicum site’s medical record system.

The following activities do not count towards required practicum hours:

• Travel time related to and from practicum activities
• Breaks, Lunch breaks, Meal breaks
• Assignments related to the didactic portion of the course
• Entering logs in Meditrek
• Formal orientation or training required by the practicum site
• Continuing education that is not required of the practicum course
• Communication (e.g., emails, phone calls), unless conferencing or doing project related communications
• Staff meetings
• Extensive chart review
• Communication (e.g. emails, phone calls), unless conferencing about patients
• Preceptor directed reading, research, or assignments
• Other activities determined as inappropriate by the practicum course faculty instructor

Time Logs

Using Meditrek, students keep time logs to document their practicum hours and the time they spend on practicum activities. Students are required to keep a truthful and accurate log of the time and hours they spend doing practicum activities.

Students are responsible for ensuring time logs are entered correctly and accurately. Students must ensure logs are accurate and correct by selecting the correct course, term, faculty instructor, site, and preceptor. Students are only able to enter logs on or after the date the preceptor was approved in Meditrek. Students may make changes and edit logs until either the preceptor and/or faculty instructor signs the logs in Meditrek. Once the time logs are signed by either the preceptor or faculty instructor, they cannot be changed or edited by students. Students who mistakenly enter logs incorrectly and the logs are signed, must contact the Office of Field Experience to invalidate the logs, and then the student must enter new time logs with the correct information. The Office of Field Experience is unable to edit or backdate logs after the term ends. Students must enter their logs in Meditrek by the deadline because the logs get locked at the end of the term.  Students will NOT be able to enter or edit logs beginning Monday of the next term. Students will lose practicum hours if they are not logged in Meditrek by the end of the term.   

Preceptors and faculty instructors must validate time logs and sign off on time logs by the end of the course after the completion of hours. In order to successfully pass a practicum course, the time logs must be accepted by the preceptor and the faculty instructor. Preceptors and/or faculty instructors may reject logs in Meditrek that are inaccurate, duplicative, or do not meet course requirements. Students may be subject to academic integrity inquiries through the Code of Conduct process for inaccurate, incorrect, and/or duplicative logs. 

Students are responsible for ensuring the preceptor signs off on the time logs in Meditrek. Students are NOT permitted to sign off on time logs on behalf of preceptors. Preceptor designees and site administrative staff are not permitted to sign off on time logs on behalf of the preceptor. 

Required Information in Time Logs: 

Students must enter the required information in Time Logs in Meditrek within the required deadline:

• Undergraduate Course 4300/4301: Time logs must be entered in Meditrek within one week of completing the hours. All Time Logs must be entered in Meditrek no later than the last week of the course.  Time logs must include the following: Student’s Name, Course, Project Focus, Practicum Faculty Instructor Name, Preceptor Name, Site Name, Date, Time, Activities/Comments, Learning Objectives Addressed, and Activities Completed.
• Nurse Practitioner Courses: Time logs must be entered in Meditrek within 48 hours of completing the hours. Time logs must include the following: Student’s Name, Course, Practicum Faculty Instructor Name, Preceptor Name, Site Name, Level of Care, Date and Time. 
• Master Specialty Courses: Time logs must be entered in Meditrek within one week of completing the hours. Time logs must include the following: Student’s Name, Course, Practicum Faculty Instructor Name, Preceptor Name, Site Name, Date, Time, Activities/Comments, Learning Objectives Addressed, and Course Outcomes Addressed.     
• DNP Courses: Time logs must be entered in Meditrek within one week of completing the hours. Time logs must include the following: Student’s Name, Course, Practicum Faculty Instructor Name, Preceptor Name, Site Name, Date, Time, Learning Objectives Addressed, and Domain and Competency Addressed. Students must submit a comprehensive list of all practicum activities they completed each day in the “Student Learning Objectives” box in their time log.     

Timeline for Logs in Meditrek: 

• Timeline for Practicum Sites and Preceptors Programmed in Logs: Preceptors and practicum sites are programmed in Meditrek and will start to populate in the drop-down boxes in logs by the end of the first week of the term. If your preceptor or site does not populate in the drop-down box during the first week, track your logs manually until your preceptor and site display in the drop-down box in Meditrek. Do not enter logs under another practicum site or preceptor. After the first week, if your preceptor or site does not populate in the logs and it has been over one week since your application has been approved, send an email to nursingfield@mail.waldenu.edu to check on the status of your preceptor or site getting added to the logs. Preceptors and sites are added to logs every Friday once the course begins; if an application is approved after the term begins, the preceptor and site will be added to the logs by the end of the day on Friday.        
• Timeline for Preceptors and Meditrek Account Information:
  • Course-Based Courses: Preceptors are emailed their Meditrek credentials by the end of the second week of the term. Preceptors use their Meditrek credentials to sign off on time logs and complete evaluations. Preceptors who have not received their Meditrek credentials are encouraged to check their spam/junk email folders for an email from support@meditrek.com.  Students can send the preceptor an email with their Meditrek account information in their practicum application in Meditrek. Steps for students to send their preceptor an email with their Meditrek credentials can be found on the Course Success webpage. Preceptors should send an email to nursingfield@mail.waldenu.com from their work-issued email if they experience issues receiving the email from Meditrek. 
  • Tempo-Based Courses: Preceptors are emailed their Meditrek credentials by the end of the second week of the term. Preceptors use their Meditrek credentials to sign off on time logs and complete evaluations. Preceptors who have not received their Meditrek credentials are encouraged to check their spam/junk email folders or submit a request for credentials to be re-sent by completing the Meditrek Credentials Request Form.
• Timeline for Logs to be Entered in Meditrek: All time log entries must be entered in Meditrek by the posted deadline and by the end of the course. Students who submit logs after the deadline are subject to the course late penalty policies.  
  • Course-Based Courses: Students must enter time logs in Meditrek by the deadline listed above. All logs must be entered in Meditrek no later than Week 10 for graduate courses and Week 6 for undergraduate courses. Students who submit logs after the deadline are subject to the course late penalty policies. Students who are approved by faculty to log practicum hours after the deadline must enter time logs in Meditrek by the end of day on the Sunday before the next term begins. Students will not be able to enter or edit time log entries after midnight on the Sunday before the first day of the next term. Students who receive a grade of Incomplete (I) for the course and must complete practicum hours after the next term begins, must go through the Remedial Application process. Students must follow directions for Remedial Applications described in the Practicum Approval Process section.
  • Tempo-Based Courses: Students must enter time logs Meditrek by the end of the practicum experience. Practicum approval is valid for 13 weeks from the start date of the term for the approved practicum application. The 13-week approval period begins at the start date of the practicum term and not the first day the student begins practicum hours. Time log entries must be entered in Meditrek by midnight on the last day of the 13-week approval period. Students will not be able to enter or edit time log entries after the 13-week period. Students who must complete practicum hours after the 13-week approval period must go through the Remedial Application process. Students must follow directions for Remedial Applications described in the Practicum Application Process section. 

Concerns regarding truthfulness or accuracy of Meditrek logs or preceptor approval of Meditrek logs will result in a Code of Conduct inquiry. Students found to have falsified their Meditrek logs or preceptor approval of Meditrek logs will be subject to disciplinary action, including but not limited to course failure and permanent dismissal from the university. The findings from the Code of Conduct inquiry may also be reported to the student’s state board of nursing. For more information about the Code of Conduct, refer to the Walden University Student Handbook: Code of Conduct section.

Preceptor Communications

Communications are a collaborative process among the faculty instructor, preceptor, and student.

By the end of the second week of the term, faculty instructors will contact the preceptor via email or call. 

The communication is intended to ensure that:

• The practicum goals are being addressed.
• Students and preceptors understand the key points of the practicum experience.
• Review learning objectives for the course.
• Review the students’ schedule to ensure practicum hours and requirements are able to be met.
• An opportunity for questions is provided.
• Share contact information. 
• Problems are identified and addressed.

During the midterm period of the term, students schedule a video conference call with their preceptor and practicum course faculty instructor to discuss the practicum experience. Students are responsible for coordinating and scheduling this video call and ensuring all parties participate. During the video call, the practicum learning objectives; practicum activities; student progress and performance; and required practicum hours and activities will be discussed.

The midterm video conference call must be completed by Week 7 of the term. If the midterm conference call and midterm evaluation is not completed by Week 7 of the term, the student cannot continue completing practicum hours and activities until the completion of the midterm conference call and midterm evaluation. 

Additional conference calls may be required to evaluate student performance during the practicum experience.    

Some state boards of nursing have additional requirements for collaboration and communication with preceptors.  For practicum experiences occurring in the state of Washington, the Washington Board of Nursing (WA BON) requires the preceptor, faculty instructor, and the student confer at the beginning, midpoint, and at the end of each practicum experience. Students completing practicum in the state of Washington must work in partnership with their faculty instructor to facilitate these three contacts.   

Individualized Learning Objectives

Walden expects that the practicum experience will allow students to focus on developing and expanding their advanced level competencies through experiential learning. This allows students the opportunity to develop and strengthen skills, apply knowledge, and integrate a range of skills into a coherent professional identity.

Students set specific goals for the practicum experiences that are consistent with their professional preparation and coursework. These goals inform the evaluation of their competencies at the end of the practicum. 

During the practicum course, students formulate Individualized Learning Objectives that they want to achieve during their practicum experience; these objectives are based on their previous assignments, practicum experiences, practice setting, course objectives, and interests. As students approach the practicum, they should reflect on their coursework and identify two to three areas in which they feel the need for further growth or with which they might want application-level experience. The Individualized Learning Objectives may build upon each other through program progression; however, the Individualized Learning Objectives and areas of identified growth must be different between each practicum course as students need new Learning Objectives and areas of growth for each practicum course.  

Students should discuss their ideas for Learning Objectives that they identify with their preceptors and determine if the necessary resources are available at their practicum sites. Students then prepare a set of measurable Learning Objectives that specify what they seek to achieve during their practicum experience. These objectives must be approved by the practicum course faculty instructor.

Students must follow the timeline and instructions for the Learning Objectives as outlined in the Course Syllabus once enrolled in the practicum course.

Here are examples of Learning Objectives by specialization:  

• Nurse Executive Specialization: Students may develop objectives to gain more experience with the budget analysis process.
• Nursing Education Specialization: Students may develop objectives to gain more experience in the use of simulation in nursing education. 
• Nursing Informatics Specialization: Students may develop objectives to gain experience preparing a request for proposal (RFP).
• Public Health Specialization: Students may develop objectives to gain experience in data collection and community assessment.
• MBA & MSN Dual Degree: Students may develop objectives to gain experience in financial management within a healthcare organization.
• Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Specialization: Students may develop objectives to manage complex, high acuity patients with multiple comorbidities.  
• Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner Specialization: Students may develop objectives to manage care of older adults with complex health issues in primary care settings. 
• Family Nurse Practitioner Specialization: Students may develop objectives to manage chronic conditions across the lifespan. 
• Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Specialization: Students may develop objectives to manage chronic conditions of pediatric patients in primary care settings. 
• Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Specialization: Students may develop objectives to manage medications to effectively manage psychiatric conditions. 
• DNP – Traditional & NP Specializations: Students may develop objectives to explore leadership strategies that support teamwork at the point of care.
• DNP – Executive Leadership: Students may develop objectives to explore leadership strategies that support meeting quality measures at the organizational level.
• BSN: Students may develop objectives that reflect their focus on either a practice problem in quality and safety or in population health.

Patient Logs 

Using Meditrek, students keep patient logs to document the patients they see during their practicum experience. Students are required to keep a truthful and accurate log of the patients they see during practicum. The required patient encounters for each practicum course are listed under the Course Requirements for Practicum Sites & Preceptor section in this manual.  

Students must submit original coursework for patient logs and only log patients who they actually saw during practicum. Students must follow all HIPAA and practicum site requirements when recording patient notes and entering logs. Students are only permitted to see patients that meet the requirements and parameters of the practicum course in which they are enrolled. Students must enter patient logs for all patient encounters and patients seen during their practicum experience. Only the patient encounters that meet the requirements and parameters of the practicum course will be applied toward the required patient encounters and practicum hours. It is the student’s responsibility to ensure they see the correct number of patients in the correct age ranges and specialty areas to meet the required number of patient encounters and practicum hours for successful completion of the course. 

Students are responsible for ensuring patient logs are entered correctly and accurately. Students must ensure logs are accurate and correct by selecting the correct course, term, faculty instructor, site, preceptor, and patient information. Students are only able to enter logs on or after the date the preceptor was approved in Meditrek. Students may make changes and edits to logs until either the preceptor and/or faculty instructor signs the logs in Meditrek. Once the time logs are signed by either the preceptor or faculty instructor, they cannot be changed or edited by students. If students mistakenly enter logs incorrectly and the logs are signed, students must contact the Office of Field Experience to invalidate the logs, and then the student must enter new time logs with the correct information. The Office of Field Experience is unable to edit or backdate logs after the term ends. Students must enter their logs in Meditrek by the deadline because the logs get locked at the end of the term. Students will NOT be able to enter or edit logs beginning Monday of the next term.  Students will lose patient encounters if they are not logged in Meditrek by the end of the term.   

Faculty instructors must review patient logs and sign off on patient logs by the end of the course after the completion of hours and patient encounters. To successfully pass a practicum course, the patient logs must be accepted by the faculty instructor. Faculty instructors may reject logs in Meditrek that are inaccurate, duplicative, or do not meet course requirements. Students may be subject to academic integrity inquiries through the Code of Conduct process for inaccurate, incorrect, and/or duplicative logs. Preceptors do not sign off on patient logs in Meditrek.    

Required Information in Patient Logs: 

Students must enter the required information in Patient Logs in Meditrek within 48 hours of completing the hours and patient encounters. 

AGACNP, AGPCNP, FNP, and PNP Patient Logs include the following: 

• Date
• Course
• Practicum Faculty Instructor Name (Select your PRAC/PRCM faculty, not your NRNP/DRNP faculty) 
• Preceptor Name
• Site Name
• Client Information
• Visit Information
• Practice Management
• Diagnosis
• Procedure
• Treatment plan and notes
• IV medication (if applicable)
• Notes: Students must include a brief summary of the patient visit that is HIPAA compliant.  Students should not include EMR SOAP notes in the notes box.

PMHNP Patient Logs includes the following: 

• Date

• Course
• Practicum Faculty Instructor Name - Select your PRAC/PRCM faculty, not your NRNP/DRNP faculty
• Preceptor Name
• Site Name
• Client Information
• Visit Information
• Practice Management
• Diagnosis
• Notes:  Students must include a brief summary of the patient visit that is HIPAA compliant.  Do not include EMR SOAP notes in the notes box. 

All patients cited in SOAP notes must correspond to patient logs in Meditrek and must also correspond to the practicum site’s patient records.

Timeline for Logs in Meditrek: 

• Timeline for Practicum Sites and Preceptors Programmed in Logs: Preceptors and practicum sites are programmed in Meditrek and will start to populate in the drop-down boxes in logs by the end of the first week of the term. If your preceptor or site does not populate in the drop-down box during the first week, track your logs manually until your preceptor and site display in the drop-down box in Meditrek. Do not enter logs under another practicum site or preceptor. After the first week, if your preceptor or site does not populate in the logs and it has been over one week since your application has been approved, send an email to nursingfield@mail.waldenu.edu  to check on the status of your preceptor or site getting added to the logs. Preceptors and sites are added to logs every Friday once the course begins; if an application is approved after the term begins, the preceptor and site will be added to the logs by the end of the day on Friday.
• Timeline for Logs to be Entered in Meditrek: Students must enter patient time logs in Meditrek within 48 hours of completing the practicum hours and patient encounters. All logs must be entered in Meditrek no later than Week 10. Students who submit logs after the deadline are subject to the course late penalty policies. Students who are approved by faculty to log patient encounters after the deadline must enter patients logs in Meditrek by the end of the day on the Sunday before the next term begins. Students will not be able to enter or edit patient log entries after midnight on the Sunday before the first day of the next term. Students who receive a grade of Incomplete (I) for the course and must complete practicum activities after the next term begins, must go through the remedial application process. Students must follow directions for Remedial Applications described in the Practicum Application Process section.

Concerns regarding truthfulness or accuracy of Meditrek logs or preceptor approval of Meditrek logs will result in a Code of Conduct inquiry. Students found to have falsified their Meditrek logs or preceptor approval of Meditrek logs will be subject to disciplinary action, including but not limited to course failure and permanent dismissal from the university. The findings of the Code of Conduct inquiry may also be reported to the student’s state board of nursing. For more information about the Code of Conduct, refer to the Walden University Student Handbook: Code of Conduct section.

SOAP Notes 

Students complete Subjective-Objective-Assessment-Plan (SOAP) Notes as part of a course assignment in practicum courses by following instructions outlined in the course syllabus. Students must submit original coursework for SOAP notes. Students must follow all HIPAA and practicum site requirements when recording patient notes. Patients used in SOAP notes must be documented as a patient in the patient logs in Meditrek for the course. Preceptors must initial each page, hand sign, and date the SOAP notes prior to the student submitting the SOAP notes in the course.    

Practicum Policies: Licensure and Certification

Preceptor Evaluations:  Midterm and Final Evaluation

Preceptors use a formal evaluation in Meditrek to communicate student progress to the Practicum Faculty Instructor twice during the practicum—at midterm and at the end of the practicum course. Preceptors will receive an email from Meditrek with directions on how to log into Meditrek and complete the evaluations. Preceptors can use the same username and password for Meditrek they use to sign time logs to complete practicum evaluations. 

The timeline for the evaluations is as follows:  

• Midterm evaluations are due midway through the course and/or practicum experience.
• Final evaluations are due at the end of the course and practicum experience by the posted deadline.   

These evaluations provide information about the student’s progress and performance during practicum.  Students have access to review the preceptor’s evaluation in Meditrek. The faculty instructor for the practicum course will review the preceptor’s feedback in the evaluation and use the feedback in determining the student’s final grade. Students may receive a failing grade if any of the evaluations are unsatisfactory or if the evaluations are not received by the posted deadlines.  

Students are responsible for ensuring the preceptor has received their Meditrek account information including their username and password. Students are also responsible for ensuring the preceptor signs their time logs and completes the required evaluations by the course deadline. Students should contact the Office of Field Experience if the preceptor has not received an email with access to Meditrek by the time the midterm evaluation is due.

Student Evaluations

Students complete a formal evaluation in Meditrek at the end of the practicum course to provide feedback about their practicum experience with the preceptor and practicum site. The evaluation is confidential as preceptors and practicum sites do not have access to review the student’s evaluation in Meditrek. The Walden faculty instructor for the practicum course will review the evaluation. Your honest feedback on the evaluation is important to help Walden evaluate your practicum experience and help program leadership continuously improve the courses and the practicum experience as a whole. 

Students should be aware of the policies related to academic progress and grading policies as outlined in the Walden University Student Handbook.

Failure of Practicum Courses

Conditions and behaviors constituting failure in a practicum course include, however, the following are not limited to, the following:

• Unsatisfactory performance during practicum.
• Demonstration of unsafe performance and/or decision-making skills.
• Failure to satisfactorily complete course assignments and/or logs.
• Failure to complete the required practicum hours.
• Failure to complete practicum hours with the approved preceptor.
• Failure to complete required practicum activities. 
• Falsification of practicum hours, records, assignments, or documentation.
• Academic Integrity or Code of Conduct sanctions.
• Dismissal by the practicum site and/or preceptor.

You must stay in communication with faculty if you have any concerns or issues and need help with problem resolution to prevent failing a practicum course. You must follow the Problem Resolution Process, which is outlined in the Practicum Manual in Section 5, for guidance on resolving problems that pose a barrier to a successful learning experience during practicum.

Failure of a practicum or didactic course may result in academic warning or academic dismissal. Students must review the policies related to academic progress and grading policies in the Walden University Student Handbook.

Incomplete Grade and Remedial Applications

Grades of Incomplete (I) are given at the discretion of the Faculty Instructor for the practicum course. Incomplete Grades may be granted only if students have already met the minimum criteria in a course and have acceptably completed approximately 80% of the course requirements, including practicum hours, prior to the last day of classes.

Students must work directly with their Faculty Instructor to determine eligibility of an Incomplete (I) grade. Students who are granted an Incomplete (I) grade by their Faculty Instructor must establish a plan to complete the practicum requirements directly with the Faculty Instructor. Students who have an Incomplete (I) grade and need to complete practicum hours during the next term, students must have a remedial application approved in Meditrek for the next term.

Students who must complete practicum hours during the next term and have officially received a grade of Incomplete (I), must submit a Remedial Application Request Form in Meditrek to request a remedial application in Meditrek. Students will receive more information about the remedial application process once the form is submitted. Students are NOT to begin practicum hours until after the remedial application is approved and after the start date of the remedial application. Students must have an approved remedial application in Meditrek in order to begin or continue practicum hours to complete the remaining hours for the course. Review more information about the Remedial Application process in Section 4 of this manual.

Failing Grades – Prerequisite Courses and Practicum Courses

Students who do not successfully pass a prerequisite course or fail a prerequisite course for a practicum course are responsible for contacting their Advisor/Coach to discuss the program of study and develop a plan. After developing a plan with their Advisor/Coach, students can contact the Office of Field Experience to discuss possible options for practicum applications. Depending on the timing of the next term start, students may not be eligible to submit a practicum application and may not be approved to retake a practicum course if they do not have an approved application.