MSN Students: Clinical Placements
Clinical Placement Frequently Asked Questions
Where are clinical sites located?
Clinical sites are located throughout San Diego County. Sites vary and include hospitals and medical centers, primary care clinics and offices, child care centers, skilled nursing facilities and hospice settings. Clinical sites must be within a 60 mile radius of USD. Travel time can vary depending on many factors and can range from 15 minutes to 1-1/2 hours. It is therefore helpful to have a car available to you on the days of your clinical practicum and to carpool whenever possible.
When will I be expected to be at a clinical site?
Clinical placement requires that students have a flexible schedule. You can expect to be placed at a clinical site on any day of the week that does not conflict with your course schedule.
Who are our preceptors?
Preceptors may be nurses, nurse practitioners, clinical nurse specialists, executive nurse leaders, and physicians who are approved by your faculty and/or clinical placement coordinator. Many have previous experience precepting students and others are just beginning to add teaching to their profession. It is important to respect preceptors at all times including before, during and after clinical experiences. They volunteer their time and make an invaluable contribution to your clinical education. A thank you note after your clinical experience is a gracious gesture.
How are clinical placements made?
In certain programs, students are expected to be actively involved in the identification and selection of preceptors. Students are mentored through the process by our clinical placement coordinators and faculty. Please refer to your program specific student handbook about important details involved in this process.
What will be required of me while I am on site?
You will work with program faculty to determine the objectives for your clinical experience each semester. You also must be compliant with the school and agency health requirements. You are also required to adhere to the standards, policies, and regulations of clinical sites during your clinical education program. Students are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner at all times. This means wearing professional attire including your clinical identification badge, arriving on time to your clinical site, and promptly communicating with your faculty or preceptor (depending upon the track you are enrolled in).
How do I explore the possibility of setting up a new site?
In some tracks, students are encouraged to recommend new preceptors to the clinical placement coordinators. Please coordinate any direct contact with preceptors through them.
What if I would like to arrange an out-of-area clinical experience?
Clinical sites must be within a 60 mile radius of USD.
What do I do if I am experiencing difficulty with my placement?
Each student is supervised by an experienced nursing faculty member who serves as the student’s mentor and advocate. If placement issues arise, the student should contact his/her faculty supervisor as soon as possible.