• Each practicum course contains 125 practicum hours, which must be completed within seven weeks, or approximately 18 hours per week
• Once you've identified your chosen site and preceptor, your practicum coordinator will secure the necessary contracts on your behalf. Chamberlain will provide guidance every step of the way, starting with admissions and throughout the program. You will have a dedicated team who can help you identify sites and preceptors to help you stay on track. 
• All practicum hours must be scheduled and completed with your selected preceptor during the course. Hours may not be carried over or made up in a future practicum course. (You will want to be sure to include time for illness or preceptor’s absence in your calculation of how many hours per week you may need to complete).
• You must complete all five practicums in the sequence outlined below

• A preceptor serves as a role model for you, mentoring and directly supervising all aspects of your practicum experience.
• Your preceptor will promote your professional development and provide you with strategies for remaining current in the field and engaging in continuing education.
• The preceptor will orient you to the practicum site environment and identify appropriate hands-on learning opportunities that align with course outcomes, student learning agreement and needed skills by the end of the practicum course.
• You will meet with faculty three times throughout the practicum via conference call, assessing your progress in learning and course outcomes.
• Conduct direct supervision of your practicum hours.

Once you complete the application process, your admission representative will provide you with information on how to identify a potential practicum site and preceptor. After that you will be matched with a dedicated team to support you in securing your practicum site and preceptor. Before starting the MSN FNP program, you do not need to identify a preceptor. However, we require you to identify a potential practicum site before you can enroll in your first class.

Practicum Site Criteria

• Your practicum site must be an outpatient, primary care setting such as a family practice clinic
• Your practicum site cannot be in a hospital or inpatient setting. If your preceptor sees patients in a clinic, but also does rounds in a hospital, you can accompany them on rounds but your site must be the clinic location
• You must spend the first two practicum courses in outpatient, primary care but you may participate in specialty rotations in your final three courses (pending approval)
• Your practicum site may be the institution where you are currently employed but you must function outside of the RN role and work as a student with your preceptor

Preceptor Criteria

You may use a board certified nurse practitioner, medical doctor, doctor of osteopathy or a physician's assistant as your preceptor. You will be asked to provide a copy of their CV, medical license and board certification (for NPs only). 

Nurse Practitioner Preceptor Guidelines

• Master’s degree in nursing at a minimum 
• Nationally board-certified as a nurse practitioner
• Hold an active advanced practice license in the state in which you will conduct your practicum
• Have at least one year of practice as a nurse practitioner
• Is not your current supervisor

Tip: It is recommended to have a secondary preceptor and practicum site selected in the event that your initial selection does not meet the requirements or your practicum cannot be completed in time.

Differential Diagnosis and Primary Care

This course will provide students with content regarding formulating differential diagnoses of individuals within the primary care setting, along with an introduction to critical diagnostic skills to cultivate evidence-based behaviors. An emphasis will be placed on processing client information in a logical, progressive manner and formulating differential diagnoses for individuals across the lifespan. The course will include 125 hours of supervised clinical practicum in primary care.

Primary Care of the Maturing and Aged Family

This course continues to expand the knowledge of health-assessment principles specific to the role of the FNP, with a focus on the common health problems and healthcare needs of the middle-aged and older adult and family. The student will explore, analyze, apply, and evaluate chronic health conditions frequently encountered in the primary care of older adults. Students will further develop their skills related to patient education, protocol development, follow-up, and referral through a clinical practicum experience in a precepted primary-care setting.

Primary Care of the Childbearing and Childrearing Family Practicum

This course continues to expand the knowledge of health assessment principles specific to the role of the FNP, with a focus on the healthcare needs of women and families throughout reproductive and childrearing years. Students will further develop their skills related to health promotion, prevention of illness, diagnosis, and management of health problems commonly experienced. Care strategies will include patient education, protocol development, follow-up, and referral through a clinical practicum experience in a precepted primary care setting.

Advanced Clinical Diagnosis and Practice across the Lifespan Practicum

This course continues to expand the theoretical and practical knowledge of diagnostic principles specific to the role of the FNP, for the healthcare needs of individuals of all ages. Students will further develop their skills related to health promotion, prevention of illness, diagnosis, and management of complex acute and chronic conditions, including behavioral health. Care strategies will include patient education, protocol development, follow-up, and referral through a clinical practicum experience in a precepted advanced practice setting.

FNP Capstone Practicum and Intensive

Students synthesize all elements of clinical management skills and knowledge and continue to analyze, apply, and evaluate diverse aspects of patient assessment and care. This precepted clinical practicum is with an approved provider in an advanced practice setting. Focus topics include clinical management skills, case studies, chart reviews, and practice critique, with a capstone project evidencing increasing complex clinical management skills. An on-ground intensive review session occurs during this course.