Master's Degree Program Practicum
Specialty Tracks
The culminating course(s) of each of the five Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) specialty tracks is/are the practicum experience(s). The practicum course(s) provide students an opportunity to apply newly developed skills and theoretical knowledge to real-world practice situations. Prior to these unique courses, the student will have demonstrated an understanding of the theoretical foundations of the specialty track. This concentrated professional experience further prepares students for an advanced practice role. Additionally, it allows students to enhance their skills in communication, teamwork, critical thinking and professionalism. The practicum course(s) include online classroom work, assignments, discussions and a practicum project.
Students are responsible for searching for their own practicum site and qualified mentor that meet the criteria established by Chamberlain. If students are unable to secure their own practicum site and qualified preceptor, Chamberlain will assist in identifying site/preceptor. Students using Chamberlain's preceptor matching service will be provided with one preceptor option within a 100-mile radius of their home address. If the preceptor, mentor and/or field instructor you are submitting for Chamberlain University's review and approval was found using a student-arranged third-party preceptor matching service, be advised that Chamberlain University will not reimburse any fees you may have incurred.
It is a best practice for students to secure an acceptable site and submit the practicum application paperwork a minimum of 120 days prior to the start of the practicum course(s). Each practicum must have a qualified MSN-prepared nurse mentor with experience in the student’s project focus and appropriate track. In collaboration with the practicum-course instructor and the practicum mentor, the student must execute a learning agreement that addresses the expected learning outcomes for the practicum and the means of measuring success.
During the practicum, the student must advise the mentor or preceptor of course requirements and personal learning objectives. The student is also responsible for keeping a practicum log or learning journal accurately reflecting activities, hours spent in the practicum and the means of meeting course requirements. The student’s practicum-course instructor is responsible for evaluating the student’s performance and all associated assignments completed during the practicum. The student is responsible for making travel arrangements, complying with Chamberlain and agency health and screening requirements at the practicum site and incurring all related expenses.
For more information, see the Chamberlain Practicum and Mentor Handbooks or contact the MSN experiential learning specialist.
Nurse Practitioner (NP) Specialty Tracks
The Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP) Specialty Track has a total of 700 clinical hours in the final six courses. Students must secure acceptable sites and preceptors and submit the practicum application paperwork a minimum of 120 days (two sessions or four months) prior to the start of the practicum courses. Each student must secure the services of qualified preceptors with the appropriate experience as required by the specific nurse practitioner program. Progression through the practicum courses can only proceed when students have approved sites and preceptors. Preceptors can be nurse practitioners, physician assistants (depending on state regulations) or physicians. Site approvals depend on appropriateness for setting (acute care), population (adolescents, adults and older adults), and the particular practicum course.
Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP) Specialty Track students should plan for experiences in clinical sites that provide high-intensity environments demanding rapid critical thinking serving adolescents, adults and older adults to fulfill learning needs to meet Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner competency requirements. Students are responsible for finding appropriate sites and are assisted in this effort by an experiential learning specialist. Appropriate clinical settings include urgent care centers, emergency departments, inpatient medical-surgical or specialty units, critical care units, and hospital-to-clinic settings. Practicum courses include:
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| NR-569 | Differential Diagnosis in Acute Care Practicum | 3 |
| NR-570 | Common Diagnosis and Management in Acute Care Practicum | 3 |
| NR-571 | Complex Diagnosis and Management in Acute Care Practicum | 3 |
| NR-572 | Advanced Acute Care Management | 2.5 |
| NR-574 | Acute Care Practicum I | 3 |
| NR-575 | Acute Care Practicum II | 3 |
The final five courses in the Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (AGPCNP) Specialty Track have 125 clinical hours each for a total of 625 clinical hours. Students must secure acceptable sites and preceptors and submit the practicum application paperwork a minimum of 120 days (two sessions or four months) prior to the start of the practicum courses. Each student must secure the services of qualified preceptors with the appropriate experience as required by the specific nurse practitioner program. Progression through the practicum courses can only proceed when students have approved sites and preceptors. Preceptors can be nurse practitioners, physician assistants (depending on state regulations) or physicians. Site approvals depend on appropriateness for setting (primary care), population (adolescents, adults and older adults), and the particular practicum course.
The Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (AGPCNP) Specialty Track student should plan for experiences in clinical sites that provide primary care to adolescents, adults and older adults to fulfill learning needs to meet Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner competency requirements. The student is responsible for finding appropriate sites and is assisted with this effort by an experiential learning specialist. Generalist practice in internal medicine practices, long-term care facilities, and clinics providing primary care such as health departments or hospital-based primary care clinics are encouraged. Specialty areas are limited to later practicum courses and depend upon the student’s mastery of general primary care clinical knowledge and skills. Practicum courses include:
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| NR-576 | Differential Diagnosis in Adult-Gerontology Primary Care | 3 |
| NR-577 | Primary Care Management of Adolescents and Adults | 3 |
| NR-578 | Primary Care Management of Older Adults | 3 |
| NR-579 | Palliative Care in Adult-Gerontology Across the Spectrum | 3 |
| NR-580 | Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Capstone and Intensive | 3 |
The final five courses in the Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) Specialty Track have 125 clinical hours each. Students must secure an acceptable site and preceptor and submit the practicum application paperwork a minimum of 120 days (two sessions or four months) prior to the start of the practicum courses. Each student must secure the services of a qualified preceptor with the appropriate experience as required by the FNP program. Progression through the practicum courses can only proceed when students have an approved site and preceptor. Preceptors can be nurse practitioners, physician assistants (depending on state regulations) or physicians. Site approval depends on appropriateness for family practice and the particular practicum course. The student should plan for experiences in clinical sites that cover the entire lifespan to fulfill learning needs to meet Family Nurse Practitioner competency requirements.
The final five courses in the Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) Specialty Track require a minimum of 125 clinical hours each. Students must secure an acceptable site and preceptor and submit the practicum application paperwork a minimum of 120 days (two sessions or four months) prior to the start of the practicum courses. Each student must secure the services of a qualified preceptor with the appropriate experience as required by the PMHNP program. Progression through the practicum courses can only proceed when students have an approved site and preceptor. Preceptors can be psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioners or psychiatrists. Certified nurse practitioners from other specialties and physicians assistants will be allowed consideration as PMHNP preceptors with three years of recent mental health experience within the last five years. Psychotherapy preceptors also may include psychologists, licensed clinical social workers or licensed counselors who provide individual or group therapy in a mental health practice setting.
Site approval depends on appropriateness for managing patients with psychiatric-mental health conditions and the particular practicum course. The student should plan for experiences in clinical sites that provide psychiatric-mental health care across the lifespan to fulfill learning needs to achieve Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner competency requirements.
Students are required to obtain experience with children, adolescents and adults as well as with individual and group therapy in a least two modalities to meet national certification requirements. Outpatient psychiatric mental health offices, mental health centers, therapist offices, inpatient psychiatric units and freestanding facilities with inpatient and intensive outpatient services providing care across the lifespan are encouraged. Specialty areas are limited to later practicum courses and depend upon the student’s mastery of general mental health clinical knowledge and skills. Practicum courses include:
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| NR-547 | Differential Diagnosis in Psychiatric-Mental Health across the Lifespan Practicum | 3 |
| NR-605 | Diagnosis & Management in Psychiatric-Mental Health across the Lifespan I Practicum | 3 |
| NR-606 | Diagnosis & Management in Psychiatric-Mental Health II Practicum | 3 |
| NR-607 | Diagnosis & Management in Psychiatric-Mental Health III Practicum | 3 |
| NR-668 | Psychiatric-Mental Health Capstone Practicum & Intensive | 3 |
Sites must be approved before the student can enroll in these courses.
The student is also responsible for keeping a practicum log in the Chamberlain approved software accurately and honestly reflecting activities, hours spent in the practicum and the means of meeting course requirements. The student’s practicum-course instructor is responsible for evaluating the student’s performance and all associated assignments completed during the practicum experience. The student is responsible for knowing and complying with documentation standards for clinical activities as set and updated by the program and found in each practicum course content or syllabus. The student is responsible for making travel arrangements, complying with Chamberlain and agency health and screening requirements at the practicum site and incurring all related expenses.
For more information, see the Chamberlain Practicum and Preceptor Handbooks or contact the experiential learning specialist.
Compliance Documentation - All MSN Specialty Tracks
Health, integrity and regulatory compliance are of the utmost importance among students charged with professional nursing care. Students must comply with various requirements regarding health, background, education, licensure and other stipulations, depending upon the student's specialty track and the requirements of each practicum site. Students in the non-NP specialty tracks should work with an experiential learning specialist to ensure they are meeting all compliance requirements. The practicum site may request various requirements of the student. It is the student’s responsibility to ensure all requirements are understood and completed prior to the beginning of the practicum experience. These can include but are not limited to: background check, drug screening, immunizations and proof of health insurance.
Healthcare Compliance1 Documentation - Nurse Practitioner (NP) Specialty Tracks
All Nurse Practitioner (NP) students must submit copies of personal health records to Chamberlain via the healthcare requirements tracking website (fax or email only when directed) and maintain originals for future use. NP students are required to carry personal health insurance and must present proof of health insurance annually and when required by a clinical site. Students should begin submitting healthcare compliance documents when directed (approximately 120 days prior to the first practicum course). Complete healthcare compliance documentation should be provided no later than 30 days prior to the start of each practicum. Chamberlain NP required healthcare compliance documentation can be found in the Nurse Practitioner Healthcare Compliance Workbook.
For tracking and public health management purposes, the non-directory information of students may be shared with clinical sites at which a student is studying, working or gaining clinical experience. Students can contact their Academic Support Advisor for more information.
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Chamberlain University utilizes CDC guidelines for healthcare workers and state-specific mandates as a baseline for all healthcare compliance requirements.
Note: All programs are subject to additional requirements including the following examples: background check, fingerprint scan, drug screen clearance, immunizations, vaccines, additional forms and trainings, and other site requirements as requested, as based on state requirements. Additional out of pocket fees may apply due to state Board of Nursing and site requirements; see your admission representative for additional information.
NP specialty track students requiring clinical sites and/or preceptors must cooperate with the experiential learning specialist to ensure that clinical sites are identified, established and scheduled and that the qualifications of preceptors are verified. Clinical sites and preceptors must be confirmed by the experiential learning specialist and course faculty prior to registration for any practicum course. Individual states and/or clinical facilities may have additional requirements.
NP specialty track students must be in compliance with all requirements 30 days prior to the start of each practicum. Failure to submit all compliance requirements by the deadlines may make the student ineligible to register for classes or attend practicums until required documentation is received and accepted.
Students who are non-compliant in any session may be denied admission to clinical agencies. This could ultimately result in a student failing a course and/or being dropped from the program. Students declaring a Nurse Practitioner specialty track of the Master of Science in Nursing degree program are required to clear a background check and fingerprint screen, through a Chamberlain preferred vendor, before registering for any of the NP specialty courses. Practicum sites may require an additional clearance nearer to the time of practicum. Failure to comply with background, drug screening and fingerprint clearance (as required) or failure to achieve a satisfactory outcome may result in dismissal from Chamberlain.
Insurance
Students in the MSN-NP Specialty Track degree programs are required to submit proof of health insurance annually. MSN-NP Specialty Track degree program students without injury and sickness insurance may be denied access to clinical facilities and therefore may be unable to complete their degree program.
Group injury and sickness insurance plans are available to all Chamberlain students. Coverage is effective 24 hours per day during the period for which the premium has been paid and eligibility has been met. Optional coverage for students’ spouses and/or children is available when signing up for coverage. Rates and policy periods are subject to change each new policy term. Insurance is not mandatory for post-licensure graduate students in other MSN Specialty Tracks unless required by a practicum site.
Detailed enrollment information is available on the Chamberlain website at chamberlain.edu/studentinsurance.
More information is available from the National Healthcare Compliance Department: [email protected].
Students residing outside the U.S. are not eligible for this insurance. The student assumes all financial responsibility associated with their own healthcare.
Nurse Practitioner Tracks Only
Nurse practitioner (NP) students must submit copies of personal health records to Chamberlain via the healthcare requirements tracking website (fax or email only when directed) and maintain originals for future use. NP students are required to carry personal health insurance and must present proof of health insurance annually and when required by a clinical site. Students should begin submitting healthcare compliance documents when directed (approximately 120 days prior to their first practicum course). Complete healthcare compliance documentation should be provided no later than 30 days prior to the start of each practicum. A list of Chamberlain NP required healthcare compliance documentation can be found in the Nurse Practitioner Healthcare Compliance Workbook.
For tracking and public health management purposes, the non-directory information of students may be shared with clinical sites at which a student is studying, working or gaining clinical experience. Contact your academic support advisor for more information.
NP specialty track students requiring clinical sites and/or preceptors must cooperate with the experiential learning specialist to ensure that clinical sites are identified, established and scheduled and that the qualifications of the preceptor are verified. A clinical site and/or clinical preceptor must be confirmed by the experiential learning specialist and course faculty prior to registration for any practicum course. Individual states and/or clinical facilities may have additional requirements.
NP specialty track students must be in compliance with all requirements 30 days prior to the start of each practicum. Failure to submit all compliance requirements by the deadlines may make the student ineligible to register for classes or attend practicums until required documentation is received and accepted.
Students who are non-compliant in any session may be denied admission to clinical agencies. This could ultimately result in a student failing a course and/or being dropped from the program. Students declaring a nurse practitioner (NP) Specialty Track of the Master of Science in Nursing degree program are required to clear a background and fingerprint check, through a Chamberlain preferred vendor, before registering for any of the NP specialty courses. Students declaring any NP track will have their license reviewed for past sanctions, violations and restrictions that impact current clinical/ practicum approval by clinical sites and future licensure or other advanced practice credentials. Students may be denied entry related to current and past infractions at the discretion of the Dean. Practicum sites may require an additional clearance nearer to the time of practicum. Failure to comply with the drug screen or background and fingerprint checks (as required) or failure to achieve a satisfactory outcome may result in dismissal from Chamberlain.
Practicum/Experiential Learning Evaluation-MSN Tracks
In Chamberlain post-licensure programs students in clinical/experiential practicum settings will be evaluated regularly on meeting clinical objectives throughout each course. This evaluation is completed by both the preceptor/mentor and the course faculty. Students must successfully meet clinical objectives specific to each course by the end of that course. The faculty of record is responsible for all evaluation of student performance and makes the final determination of grades regarding student evaluation. Students will have an opportunity to evaluate their preceptor and clinical site once each term.