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Advanced nursing practicum (T NURS 503 and 505), a vital component of the MN program, is an opportunity to apply concepts examined throughout the program in the real-world context of communities, healthcare systems, or academic settings. The focus is on preparing students for roles that require graduate education. Students are required to take two quarters of advanced nursing practicum once prerequisites have been met. Advanced nursing practicum involves seminars and nine hours per week of advanced practice experience in an authentic setting. Advanced nursing practicum cannot take place during a break between quarters since students are not enrolled in courses.
Students work collaboratively with the Clinical Placement Manager in the selection of an appropriate advanced nursing practicum placement in an organization or agency, with consideration given to the student's professional goals and interests.
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Practicum
Each practicum course requires 90 hours of practice (averaging 9 hours a week for ten weeks). Given that the practicum is not limited to course meetings but, in addition, requires an average of 9 hours a week, it is important for students to plan for the additional time requirement of the practicum experience. To prepare for advanced nursing practicum, students should attend the advanced nursing practicum orientation session offered in the academic year prior to their planned advanced nursing practicum.
To enroll in advanced nursing practicum courses, students must meet the following mandatory deadlines. If these deadlines are not met, students will need to wait until the next academic year to enroll in the advanced nursing practicum course.
- Students need to submit a pre-placement survey to the Clinical Placement Manager no later than April 1st for advanced nursing practicum placement. If the survey is not completed on time, students will be assigned an advanced nursing practicum experience clinical coordinator in collaboration with UWT faculty. Practicums allow for growth and expanding horizons, often beyond what students imagine for themselves and opportunities to change or appeal placements are limited. Students are not allowed to make their own advanced nursing practicum arrangements.
- Clinical clearance documents need to be uploaded and approved in CastleBranch by June 1st. Students who have not completed the clinical clearance process by the deadline will not be able to register for advanced nursing practicum.
- Students will receive their advanced nursing practicum assignments no later than September 1st. Students need to reach out to their advanced nursing practicum preceptor before the first day of their first practicum quarter, introduce themselves, and make an appointment to meet with their preceptor in the first week of the quarter.
Participation in advanced nursing practicum is contingent on complying with all clinical clearance requirements. Students use the CastleBranch website in order to review and submit records for clearance purposes. Students are given instructions for establishing CastleBranch accounts upon admission. Clearance requirements include:
- Immunization Requirements determined by Clinical Placements Northwest (CPNW). The requirements include records of specific immunizations and annual tests detailed in the CPNW Clinical Passport. If records are not available, titers or re-immunizations must be administered. Contact the SNHCL office if you have additional questions.
- Basic Life Support (BLS) - present an American Heart Association BLS card with expiration date visible to the Nursing program office; this certification must be current at the time of advanced nursing practicum.
- Current Washington State healthcare providers must provide proof of unrestricted license status (does not apply to non-licensed applicants). License must be unencumbered and current while enrolled in the Master of Nursing program.
- Bloodborne Pathogens Policy Acknowledgement - UW bloodborne pathogens policy acknowledgement must be signed and submitted.
- Annual Background Check Authorization - students are required to complete forms required for implementation of the Washington State Child Abuse and Adult Abuse Information Law (CAAL) and related Department of Health regulations. This includes completion of and a criminal background check, which the UW Tacoma Healthcare Leadership program will treat confidentially and process through the Washington State Patrol.
- Training with UW Compliance Learning Portal (or Learning Management System) - students must complete assigned training in either CPL or LMS (UW Employees only) systems. Training includes information on UW HIPAA and Fraud, Waste, and Abuse Policies.
- Consent to Release Records - UW form must be signed and submitted.
- CastleBranch Criminal Background Check - National and State background check conducted by CastleBranch. Acceptable results are required; background checks expire after two years. Continuing students will be asked to renew their background checks biennially until they graduate.
- Annual Washington State Patrol Background Check (WATCH Report) - Included with initial CastleBranch order and required annually. Subsequent reports will be ordered by School of Nursing and Healthcare Leadership and cost will be assessed to student accounts in quarter of advanced nursing practicum.
In addition to the items listed above, students are STRONGLY ADVISED to have personal health insurance or join a healthcare plan to cover the expenses of their healthcare and treatments in case of a catastrophic illness or injury and/or the development of a serious chronic condition.
Transportation
Advanced nursing practicum placements are arranged throughout the region. Students are responsible for their own transportation to and from advanced nursing practicum sites. Hours for advanced nursing practicum are to be arranged, Monday - Friday during daytime hours.
Attire
Students are expected to adhere to the dress requirement of the agency where they are assigned for advanced nursing practicum experiences.
UW Student ID (Husky Card)
All students are required to carry their UW student photo ID. Instructions for obtaining a UW ID can be found here.
Current Photo Identification
Students must have a current Washington State driver's license or a Washington State ID while at an advanced nursing practicum location.
Name Badge
A UW Tacoma student name badge must be worn at all times when participating in course-related activities, but it should be worn only when you are functioning under the auspices of UW Tacoma. You will required to purchase the name badge for a nominal fee that will be charged to your student account.
Kamryn Hughes, MEd, is the Clinical Placement Manager for the UW Tacoma School of Nursing and Healthcare Leadership. She works to connect MN and BA in Healthcare Leadership students students with clinical placement opportunities for their advanced nursing practicum courses. Contact Kamryn if you have questions about:
- Questions about placement opportunities
- Issues connecting with a preceptor
- Timeline for advanced nursing practicum placements
