School of Nursing Practicum Manual
School of Nursing Practicum Manual
Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)
Nurse Practitioner Specializations:
Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
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and reasonable accommodations when necessary. Students requesting accommodations per the
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http://programdata.laureate.net/walden/master-of-science-in-nursing.html.
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MSN Practicum Manual: Nurse Practitioner Specializations (April 2017) Page iv
Contents
Section 1. Introduction …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………1
Purpose of This Manual …………………………………………………………………………………………………………….1
Walden University…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….1
Vision…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..1
Mission………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..1
Social Change ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….2
School of Nursing ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..2
Vision…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..2
Mission………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..2
Goals …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..2
MSN Program Outcomes …………………………………………………………………………………………………………..2
Nurse Practitioner Licensure………………………………………………………………………………………………………3
Note on Certification……………………………………………………………………………………………………………..3
Note on Licensure, Authorization, Endorsement, or Other State Credentials Necessary to Practice as
a Nurse Practitioner………………………………………………………………………………………………………………4
Field Experience Terms……………………………………………………………………………………………………………..4
Practicum …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….4
Practicum Site ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………5
Primary Care…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………5
Acute Care……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………6
Supervision…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..6
Field Experience Roles ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………6
Preceptors……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………6
Students………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………6
Practicum Course Faculty Members………………………………………………………………………………………..8
MSN Practicum Manual: Nurse Practitioner Specializations (April 2017) Page v
Clinical Instructors…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………8
Specialization Coordinators……………………………………………………………………………………………………9
Program Director ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….9
Field Education Coordinators………………………………………………………………………………………………….9
Working Together…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………9
Field Experience Regulatory Requirements………………………………………………………………………………..10
State Requirements …………………………………………………………………………………………………………….10
State Board Requirements……………………………………………………………………………………………………11
Non-U.S.-Based Student Requirements………………………………………………………………………………….11
Licensure Review…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………11
Section 2. NP Practicum Program…………………………………………………………………………………………………13
Specializations Overview………………………………………………………………………………………………………….13
Required Activities………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….14
Individualized Learning Objectives ………………………………………………………………………………………..16
Conference Call…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..16
Journal and Time Log …………………………………………………………………………………………………………..17
Performance Evaluation……………………………………………………………………………………………………….19
Formal Preceptor and Student Feedback ……………………………………………………………………………….19
Course-Specific Guidance…………………………………………………………………………………………………………19
Section 3. Getting Started……………………………………………………………………………………………………………26
Finding Practicum Sites and Preceptors……………………………………………………………………………………..26
Tips for Practicum Site and Preceptor Search………………………………………………………………………….26
Choosing a Site……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………27
Choosing a Preceptor…………………………………………………………………………………………………………..27
Change of Preceptor ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………29
Affiliation Agreements With Practicum Sites…………………………………………………………………………..30
MSN Practicum Manual: Nurse Practitioner Specializations (April 2017) Page vi
Completing and Submitting the Practicum Application………………………………………………………………..31
Policy on Electronic Signatures……………………………………………………………………………………………..31
Verification Documents ……………………………………………………………………………………………………….32
Obtaining the Required Information ……………………………………………………………………………………..33
Application Deadlines………………………………………………………………………………………………………….35
Field Site Onboarding Requirements…………………………………………………………………………………………37
Practicum Approval and Start…………………………………………………………………………………………………..38
Application Approval……………………………………………………………………………………………………………38
Practicum Course Registration………………………………………………………………………………………………38
Application Steps ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..39
Section 4. Practicum Policies ……………………………………………………………………………………………………….41
Student Conduct and Responsibilities……………………………………………………………………………………….41
Academic Standing………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….41
Student Professional Competence Policy …………………………………………………………………………………..42
Problem Behaviors………………………………………………………………………………………………………………42
Inappropriate and/or Unprofessional Conduct ……………………………………………………………………….42
Critical Behaviors ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..43
Nondiscrimination and Sexual Harassment Policies…………………………………………………………………….43
Nondiscrimination……………………………………………………………………………………………………………….43
Sexual Harassment………………………………………………………………………………………………………………44
Problem Resolution and Process ………………………………………………………………………………………………45
Section 5. Frequently Asked Questions…………………………………………………………………………………………48
Section 6. Contact Information…………………………………………………………………………………………………….51
School of Nursing ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………51
Other Important Resources……………………………………………………………………………………………………..52
Field Education Resource Links……………………………………………………………………………………………..52
MSN Practicum Manual: Nurse Practitioner Specializations (April 2017) Page vii
Academic Advising Team ……………………………………………………………………………………………………..52
Office of Disability Services…………………………………………………………………………………………………..52
Section 7. Programs of Study……………………………………………………………………………………………………….53
MSN Core Courses ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….53
MSN NP Specialty Track Courses ………………………………………………………………………………………………53
Course Descriptions………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..56
Section 1. Introduction
Purpose of This Manual
Welcome to the field experience component of Walden University’s Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)
program. This manual describes the structure and timing of the classroom-based and on-site practicum
experiences and the policies students must follow to be successful in the nurse practitioner (NP)
specialties. For more information about the nursing programs, students should refer to the School of
Nursing Handbook.
This manual is intended to provide MSN-NP students with information they need related to practicum
policies and procedures as well as to serve as a reference for practicum preceptors and other practicum
personnel.
This manual refers to the Walden University Catalog and the Walden University Student Handbook for
specific information on university policies and courses. These resources can be accessed at
catalog.WaldenU.edu.
Note: Walden University reserves the right to make program changes as needed to help ensure the
highest quality program.
Walden University
The MSN program at Walden University is designed to promote Walden University’s vision, mission, and
ongoing commitment to social change. These guiding principles serve as a framework for the program
curriculum and outcomes and are included here as a reference.
Vision
Walden University envisions a distinctively different 21st-century learning community where knowledge
is judged worthy to the degree that it can be applied by its graduates to the immediate solutions of
critical societal challenges, thereby advancing the greater global good.
Mission
Walden University provides a diverse community of career professionals with the opportunity to
transform themselves as scholar-practitioners so that they can effect positive social change.
MSN Practicum Manual: Nurse Practitioner Specializations (April 2017) Page 2
Social Change
Walden University defines positive social change as a deliberate process of creating and applying ideas,
strategies, and actions to promote the worth, dignity, and development of individuals, communities,
organizations, institutions, cultures, and societies. Positive social change results in the improvement of
human and social conditions.
School of Nursing
Vision
The School of Nursing envisions recognition as a preeminent 21st-century school of nursing in which the
contributions of nursing, health, and related sciences will transform the provision of nursing services
along the continuum of care and across the human lifespan to meet the needs of individuals and local
and global communities.
Mission
The School of Nursing provides academically rigorous and culturally and contextually relevant
educational programs, based on the scholar-practitioner model, for a diverse array of nursing
professionals seeking enhancement of critical-thinking skills, abilities to select and implement evidencebased
practices, and core and specialty nursing knowledge in order to transform society.
Goals
The goals of the School of Nursing at Walden are to:
1. Empower nursing professionals through academic advancement that enhances personal growth,
professional development, and academic achievement.
2. Create an educational environment where learners are able to build on their existing
transformational and professional nursing knowledge, skills, and integrative abilities.
3. Educate nursing professionals with consideration for the complex needs of the diverse learner while
upholding professional nursing standards.
4. Encourage learners to integrate biopsychosocial, nursing and health theories, research, and
evidence-based practice that exemplify professional nursing standards.
5. Prepare professional nursing leaders who are empowered to promote social change for individuals,
groups, and organizations locally, nationally, and globally.
MSN Program Outcomes
At the end of the MSN program, students will be able to:
MSN Practicum Manual: Nurse Practitioner Specializations (April 2017) Page 3
1. Synthesize organizational/systems leadership for cost-effective specialist nursing practice that
contributes to high-quality healthcare delivery, advancement of the nursing profession, and social
change.
2. Critique evidence-based literature drawing from diverse theoretical perspectives and pertinent
research to guide decision making that demonstrates best practices for specialist nursing practice in
a global society.
3. Integratively assess, diagnose, plan, implement, and evaluate cost-effective healthcare strategies
that reduce health disparities by patient/population advocacy for access to specialist nursing care.
4. Demonstrate the ability to effectively communicate using audience-specific oral, written, and
information technology for professional delivery of specialist nursing care.
5. Evaluate health needs of diverse populations for necessary teaching/coaching functions based on
specialist nursing knowledge to restore/promote health and prevent illness/injury.
6. Exhibit ongoing commitment to professional development and value of nursing theories/ethical
principles (altruism, autonomy, human dignity, integrity, social justice) in accordance with ethically
responsible, legally accountable, specialist nursing practice.
7. Implement specialist nursing roles to promote quality improvement of patient-centered care in
accordance with professional practice standards that transform health outcomes for diverse
populations.
Nurse Practitioner Licensure
Note on Certification
The MSN-NP specializations are designed to prepare graduates to qualify to sit for national NP
certification exams, which are required for practice as an NP in most states. Because no university
program can guarantee that graduates will be permitted to practice as an NP upon graduation,
Walden encourages students to consult with the appropriate Board of Nursing or state agency to
determine specific certification exam requirements. Walden enrollment advisors can provide
information relating to national certification exams; however, it remains the individual’s
responsibility to understand, evaluate, and comply with all requirements relating to national
certification exams for the state in which he or she intends to practice as requirements vary widely.
Walden makes no representations or guarantee that completion of Walden coursework or
programs will permit an individual to obtain national certification. For more information about NP
certification exams, students should visit the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners at
www.aanpcertification.org, the American Nurses Credentialing Center at
www.nursecredentialing.org, and the American Association of Critical Care Nurses at www.aacn.org.
MSN Practicum Manual: Nurse Practitioner Specializations (April 2017) Page 4
Note on Licensure, Authorization, Endorsement, or Other State
Credentials Necessary to Practice as a Nurse Practitioner
The MSN-NP specializations are designed to prepare graduates with an active registered nurse (RN)
license to practice as NPs. However, each state Board of Nursing has its own academic and
certification requirements and issues its own credential for an RN to be permitted to practice as a
NP in that state. Because no university program can guarantee that graduates will be permitted to
practice as NPs upon graduation, Walden encourages students to consult with the appropriate
Board of Nursing or state agency to determine specific requirements in the state in which they wish
to practice. Walden enrollment advisors can provide guidance relating to the state-by-state
requirements for practice as a NP; however, it remains the individual’s responsibility to understand,
evaluate, and comply with all requirements relating to the practice as a NP in the state in which he
or she intends to practice as requirements vary widely. Walden makes no representations or
guarantee that completion of Walden coursework or programs will permit an individual to obtain
state licensure, authorization, endorsement, or other state credential. For more information about
the requirements to practice as a NP, students should contact the appropriate Board of Nursing or
state agency. After graduation, all certification, credentialing, and licensure forms and requests
must be sent to Nursing Licensure at [email protected].
Field Experience Terms
For the purposes of this manual, the following terms are defined in this way:
Practicum
A practicum is a distinctly defined supervised on-site experience in which students develop applied skills
and integrate professional knowledge in the provision of advanced practice nursing care. All NP
students must complete four practicum courses, with a minimum of 576 hours of supervised clinical
experience (144 hours in each course). The didactic (classroom) and clinical components of the courses
are integrated. The courses vary by specialization:
Students in the Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP) specialization
must complete NURS 6531, 6540, 6550, and 6560.
Students in the Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (AGPCNP)
specialization must complete NURS 6531, 6540, 6551, and 6565.
Students in the Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) specialization must complete NURS 6531,
6541, 6551, and 6565.
Students in the Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) specialization must
complete NURS 6640, 6650, 6660, and 6670.
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Practicum Site
A practicum site is a health agency or other appropriate setting at which students have supervised,
applied practice experiences that are consistent with their education and training. Officials at practicum
sites enter into an affiliation agreement with Walden, stating they will provide appropriate support and
supervision for students during the practicum experience. Virtual sites are not allowed for practicum
courses.
In general, students must spend the majority of their clinical experience time in general primary care
settings seeing a good overall mix of age groups over the lifespan (FNP) or with adolescents and adults
(AGACNP, AGPCNP) with a broad range of health promotion, disease prevention, and acute and chronic
health problem assessment and management needs. Appropriate practicum sites for the AGPCNP/FNP
specializations can include physician’s offices (family practice, pediatric practice, women’s health, or
internal medicine); clinics that provide primary care, such as health departments; and hospital-based
primary care clinics. AGACNP students may use some of these sites in NURS 6531 and 6540 and acute
care facilities for NURS 6550 and 6560.
Psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioners will have practicum experiences in a wide range of setting
with children, adolescents, adults, and older adults. NURS 6640 and NURS 6650 focus on psychotherapy
practice where NURS 6660 and NURS 6670 are integrative experiences (psychopharmacology coupled
with psychotherapy).
Primary Care
A primary care practice serves as the patient’s first point of entry into the healthcare system and as the
continuing focal point for all needed healthcare services. Primary care practices provide patients with
ready access to their own personal physician. These practices provide health promotion, disease
prevention, health maintenance, counseling, patient education, diagnosis, and treatment of acute and
chronic illnesses in a variety of healthcare settings. These practices are organized to meet the needs of
patients with undifferentiated problems, with the vast majority of patient concerns and needs being
cared for in the primary care practice itself. Primary care practices are generally located in the
community of the patients, thereby facilitating access to healthcare while maintaining a wide variety of
specialty and institutional consultative and referral relationships for specific care needs. The structure of
the primary care practice may include a team of physicians and non-physician health professionals.
Appropriate settings for primary care should be in outpatient primary care settings.
All students in NP specializations require primary care experiences. FNP students must complete all
clinical hours in primary care settings, AGPCNP students may complete clinical hours both in primary
care and specialty care settings, and AGACNP and PMHNP students may complete clinical hours in
MSN Practicum Manual: Nurse Practitioner Specializations (April 2017) Page 6
primary care, specialty care, and acute care settings.
Acute Care
Acute care refers to a level of specialty care focused on the management of severe injuries, urgent
medical conditions, exacerbation of chronic illnesses, and/or recovery after surgical procedures. Acute
care settings provide patients with secondary healthcare services that address active healthcare
problems. Acute care practices provide access to healthcare teams that span the gamut of nursing,
medical, and surgical specialties. Acute care practitioners perform assessments, order and interpret
diagnostic tests, formulate diagnoses, perform procedures, and develop and/or implement treatment
plans. The quintessential acute care setting is the in-patient hospital, but acute care is also provided in
emergency rooms, urgent care centers, or surgery centers. Essentially, comprehensive care of patients
with acute, critical, and/or exacerbated, complex, chronic conditions falls under the realm of the acute
care provider regardless of the practice setting. The acute care provider is specialized in addressing the
needs of high acuity patients along the illness-to-wellness spectrum.
Supervision
Supervision by a preceptor is composed of a tutorial and mentoring form of instruction in which
practicum preceptors monitor students’ activities in the practicum during the provision of primary care
and facilitate learning and skill-development experiences. Preceptors guide students and provide
feedback on their practicum work.
Field Experience Roles
Preceptors
Preceptors are qualified practitioners within a clinical site who are responsible for guiding students’
practicum experiences (see Preceptor Requirements in Section 3). Preceptors must be employed at the
field site. Walden expects preceptors to be accessible to students and to provide guidance and feedback
that promotes growth of knowledge, skills, and competencies consistent with Walden’s educational
goals as well as with best nursing practices. Preceptors provide mentoring and guidance appropriate to
students’ roles in their clinical sites, including ongoing feedback about the students’ progress in meeting
clinical goals.
Students
Students at Walden are considered to be adult learners who are capable of seeking educational
opportunities to meet their personal and professional goals. Walden expects students to collaborate
with faculty members and be self-directed to meet educational requirements. Students work with
faculty members, clinical instructors, and preceptors to ensure they obtain a well-rounded educational
experience.
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Students are expected to complete adhere to the following:
Develop a learning contract to meet course objectives and outcomes for the practicum.
Adhere to the learning contract as established by the student, clinical instructor, and
preceptor.
Comply with the policies and protocols established by the practicum site.
Seek direct and indirect supervision from the clinical instructor and preceptor.
Be appropriately prepared for each laboratory and clinical experience.
Incorporate theory and research into clinical practice to provide evidence-based care to
patients.
Provide safe, competent, and quality care under the supervision of the clinical instructor
and preceptor.
Maintain an ethical and professional manner at all times.
Use acquired knowledge and clinical skills for appropriate clinical setting.
Use various educational resources to provide evidence-based care to patients.
Be on time and be prepared for each clinical session.
Develop a clear and concise plan to meet course outcomes.
Be respectful and professional.
Participate in regular conferences with the clinical instructor.
Seek regular feedback from the clinical instructor and preceptor about progress in the
clinical setting.
Adhere to Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) guidelines at all
times.
Maintain a clinical journal, time logs, patient logs, and other pertinent clinical records as
required by the clinical instructor and/or preceptor.
Be adaptable and flexible learners.
Evaluate the course, clinical experience, and preceptor.
Develop long-term and short-term goals during the program.
Participate in group and individual conferences.
Complete the required hours needed for the didactic and clinical portions of the courses.
Complete all course assignments satisfactorily.
Contact the clinical instructor and practicum site if unable to attend a clinical experience.
Use critical-thinking skills and sound clinical judgment in providing patient care.
Students With Disabilities
The School of Nursing at Walden will not discriminate on the basis of disability and is committed to
providing all qualified students with disabilities equal access to its programs, services, and activities in
accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.
MSN Practicum Manual: Nurse Practitioner Specializations (April 2017) Page 8
In postsecondary education, it is the students’ responsibility to self-identify disability status and register
with the Office of Disability Services prior to requesting accommodations. To register, students should
submit documentation of disability along with Walden’s Accommodation Request form to
The process and form are available from the Office of Disability Services. Students with disabilities
requesting accommodations to access field experiences, such as a practicum and/or internship, should
register with the Office of Disability Services prior to registering for those field experiences and clarify
their specific accommodation needs. In most cases, field experience sites have their own systems for
ensuring equal access for employees/interns with disabilities. The Office of Disability Services will help
address any gaps in those systems.
Practicum Course Faculty Members
Walden nursing faculty members, who are doctorally prepared, teach the didactic portion of the courses
and communicate with clinical instructors and preceptors regarding the students’ successful mastery of
all competencies prior to recording the final course grades. Practicum course faculty members
collaborate with students and clinical instructors and inform specialization coordinators about any
difficulties that arise during the practicum experience. Didactic faculty members may also serve as
clinical faculty.
Clinical Instructors
Clinical instructors are a critical element of the NP student practicum experience. These instructors
monitor and assess appropriate learning experiences to facilitate students’ achievement as it relates to
the practicum course objectives. The clinical instructors are NPs responsible and accountable for
assuring that students meet the course objectives at a specific practicum site and work closely with
preceptors.
Clinical instructors communicate on a regular basis with NP students and their preceptors regarding
student progress and learning needs; they are also available to resolve problems that may arise. Clinical
faculty make practicum site visits (virtually and/or physically) to review students’ experiences and the
appropriateness of the setting. Clinical instructors are responsible for evaluating the students’ clinical
work.
Specific clinical instructor responsibilities include the following activities:
Providing guidance to students in formulating the learning contract.
Conferring with students individually and in groups.
MSN Practicum Manual: Nurse Practitioner Specializations (April 2017) Page 9
Assigning student grades following review of the learning outcome measures identified in
the course and the learning contract.
Completing final student evaluations in Meditrek.
Forwarding all evaluation forms to the specialization coordinator.
The clinical instructors and their assigned students should touch base very early in the quarter and
arrange date(s) for the site visit(s). Students should turn in their subjective, objective, assessment, plan
(SOAP) notes and their journal entries to their clinical instructors and maintain their time logs within
Meditrek. The clinical instructors are the students’ primary resource regarding any problems or issues
that arise related to the practicum experience.
Specialization Coordinators
Specialization coordinators are doctorally-prepared Walden faculty members whose primary role
regarding the MSN practicum is to oversee the experience for a given MSN specialization (i.e., AGACNP,
AGPCNP, PMHNP, or FNP). The specialization coordinators are an important resource for students
during the program, especially if any problems arise during the practicum.
Program Director
The program director (PD) is a doctorally-prepared full-time academic administrator who reports to the
dean and supervises the specialization coordinators and faculty. The PD’s primary role is to maintain the
quality and integrity of the degree program and oversee day-to-day program management. While
working with specialization coordinators, the PD supports students throughout the MSN-NP program,
including during the practicum experience.
Field Education Coordinators
Field education coordinators are Walden employees who help students understand the practicum
policies and procedures. They answer questions about the practicum application process, review
materials to ensure that students have completed all required application and documentation steps, and
work collaboratively with the specialization coordinators and the PD throughout the approval process.
Once practicum applications have been approved, the field education coordinators ensure that students
are enrolled in their appropriate practicum course. Field education coordinators are assigned to
students by region and are available to students via e-mail, phone, or appointment. Students can find
their field education coordinator online at
http://academicguides.waldenu.edu/fieldexperience/son/contactus.
Working Together
Walden’s program directors, director of field placement, specialization coordinators, field education
coordinators, practicum course faculty members, and clinical instructors are committed to working
collaboratively with students and preceptors to support the successful completion of practicum
experiences.
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Process for Mentoring and Evaluation of Students
The practicum process is collegial, with the recognition that NP students are adult learners who are
capable of critical self-reflection, open to constructive feedback, and responsible for their own learning.
Expectations for clinical practica performance correlate with the stage of the students’ learning; i.e.,
greater clinical practicum expertise is anticipated as students’ progress through the program.
Once students enroll in a practicum course, they are mentored and evaluated by their preceptor and a
Walden clinical instructor who is assigned to them at the beginning of the quarter. Preceptors provide
the experiences, supervise students, and provide evaluations to the clinical instructors. Practicum course
faculty members grade students’ coursework and, in general, return students’ written work within
Walden guidelines on returning grades. Students are encouraged to consult with practicum course
faculty members by phone or e-mail about their progress throughout the quarter as stipulated in the
course syllabus.
Students meet with their clinical instructor during the first or second clinical practicum seminar of the
quarter. Clinical instructors are experienced NPs who grade students’ written work (SOAP notes, clinical
logs, and reflections); in general, clinical instructors return students’ written work within Walden
guidelines on returning grades. Students are encouraged to consult with clinical instructors by phone or
e-mail about their progress throughout the quarter as stipulated in the course syllabus.
Clinical instructors also maintain contact with students and preceptors throughout the quarter to
determine whether the
