Clinical/Practicum Procedures

Clinical/Practicum Processes and Procedures

Prerequisites for all clinical/practicum courses must be completed prior to registration. Students must identify potential preceptors and clinical affiliation agreements must be fully executed prior to registering for a clinical or practicum course. Students who register for a clinical or practicum course prior to receiving notice of preceptor approval and full execution of an affiliation agreement may be required to drop the course if it is determined that the delay in starting the clinical/practicum experience will prevent the student from completing the requirements within the semester.

Student requests for clinical/practicum placements must be approved by your Concentration Coordinator and course faculty before beginning your preceptorship. All clinical experiences are arranged by the student in the student’s home area to the fullest extent possible. Affiliation Agreements must be executed with the approved agency and all required forms must be completed by the approved preceptor.

Initiation of preceptor requests and submission of forms does not imply approval. Initiation of a clinical affiliation agreement associated with a student request does not imply approval of the site for any clinical/practicum requirement.

Process for Initiating Clinical Affiliation Agreements

The student, in consultation with their Concentration Coordinator, academic advisor and/or course faculty will identify potential preceptors and clinical agencies. The Practicum Intent of Relationship Form and the Preceptor Professional Profile Form must be submitted to the MSN RODP office in order to initiate a clinical affiliation agreement and the clinical preceptor approval process. Deadline for submission is as follows; however, early submission is highly recommended.

Fall 2012 (August 25 - December 5) - submit both forms by May 25
Spring 2013 (January - May, 2013 / Dates TBA) - submit both forms by October 10, 2012
Summer 2013 (June - August, 2013 / Dates TBA) submit both forms by March 4, 2013

Both documents must be submitted a minimum of twelve (12) weeks prior to the beginning of your course enrollment semester. This timeframe is mandatory to allow sufficient time for the preceptor approval process and/or to fully execute an Affiliation Agreement (contract) with your potential clinical site. Clinical/practicum assignments may not be scheduled without documentation of a legally and fully executed Affiliation Agreement. Follow the steps and instructions below to initiate this process. A separate set of forms is required for each proposed preceptor and site.

NOTE: If you are seeking a cllinical/practicum assignment at Matthew Walker Comprehensive Health Center or Meharry Hospital, please email msnclinicalforms@tbr.edu for instructions.

Step 1: Download and print:
Clinical Preceptorship Instructions and Forms Checklist. This form will guide you through the process.

Step 2: Download, print complete, sign and submit:
Practicum Intent of Relationship Form

Step 3: Download, complete in conjunction with your preceptor, sign and submit:
Preceptor Professional Profile Form. Also obtain and submit the preceptor's resume or CV and submit with the Preceptor Professional Profile Form.

Step 4: Download, print, review and provide your preceptor with a copy of the Preceptor and Student Roles and Responsibility Form.

Submit both the Intent and Preceptor forms along with the preceptor's CV/Resume either via Fax or Email (one method only please) to the MSN RODP office.

Fax: 1-615-366-3953

Email: msnclinicalforms@tbr.edu

Preceptor Selection

Preceptors are practitioners who agree to facilitate student learning in the application of theory. Clinical/practicum preceptor selections are made based on qualifications, interest and demonstrated commitment to the program. Graduate preceptors should possess the following qualifications and experiences:

Master's degree, Post-Master's certificate or Doctoral degree in fields relevant to the role (Physician Assistants are not eligible to precept)
Current license in the state of practice
Certification in the appropriate area of specialty
Practice in a setting that provides experiences appropriate for the development of advanced practice skills
Individuals not meeting the above criteria but with specialized expertise will be considered on an individual basis

Upon receipt of the Practicum Intent of Relationship Form for a proposed preceptor, the MSN RODP office will determine if a current Affiliation Agreement is in place. If there is not an Affiliation Agreement on file for a requested site, the Regents Online MSN Program staff will initiate a new Affiliation Agreement with that site. All clinical sites and preceptors must be approved by your Concentration Coordinator and course faculty before you begin your clinical preceptorship.

Preceptor Appointment Agreement

Preceptor agreements are individual arrangements for a particular experience with a specific student for each semester and course. Arrangements will be initiated by the student in consultation with their Concentration Coordinator and/or faculty member, depending upon the concentration and course. Preceptor agreement forms are to be completed, signed and submitted to the MSN RODP office. Copies of these forms will be forwarded by the MSN RODP staff to your Concentration Coordinator to determine the appropriateness of the placement. The course faculty must give final approval of both the site and preceptor. Students using multiple preceptors in a semester must file separate preceptor forms for each preceptor. If indicated by the Concentration Coordinator, course faculty or the MSN RODP staff, students may be asked to submit updated preceptor information and/or forms for previously approved preceptors and sites.

Clinical Participation - Student Requirements

Registered Nurse Licensure

Students must be eligible to practice as a Registered Nurse in Tennessee or the state in which the clinical assignments are completed. Appropriate licensure/authorization must be obtained during the first semester following admission to the program.

Student Liability Insurance

The graduate student practices under his or her own license and is required to maintain current advanced practice student liability insurance. Family Nurse Practitioner students must maintain student FNP liability insurance.

Health/Immunization Requirements

All students must document physical and/or emotional fitness to meet the essential requirements of the program. Current physical examination and immunization records are required. Student health records must be provided to clinical affiliates upon request in compliance with Clinical Affiliation Agreements. These records must be submitted to your home school and/or course faculty. Do not submit these records to the MSN RODP office.

Background Checks

Criminal background checks may be required by clinical affiliates. It is the student’s responsibility to make timely arrangements for the background check and to pay all costs associated with such checks.

Current Basic Life Support (BLS) Health Care Provider