Clinical Placement
Students enrolled in the FNP program are required to actively partner with the OFE to secure appropriate clinical settings for completion of their clinical hours. Milestones dates and deadlines are provided to guide students in preparation of their clinical experience and to allow for timely approvals. Students are advised to meet these deadlines to avoid delays in program progression. Rush requests may not be accommodated.
Documentation
Students are required to have all site and preceptor requirements/approvals and health and safety documents/approvals on file with OFE at least 16 weeks before their clinical experience.
College Approval
Preceptor and site documents will be sent for college approval. If documents are denied, students are responsible for providing information that meets the USU requirement. If assistance is needed, please contact your Clinical Placement Coordinator (CPC) in OFE for the next steps. The approval process time varies between 4-16 weeks on average, depending on the type of review and if it involves external site approvals/verification.
OFE Approval
Once you have completed your OFE clinical requirements/documents and the college has approved your preceptor and site, you will receive an email with approval to work with your approved clinical site and preceptor for a specified rotation. Students will upload a copy of this approval in week one of each clinical course in the same dropbox along with the preceptor acknowledgement agreement form. Students will be unable to log hours and journals or be on-site before receiving an OFE approval letter. The OFE approval letter will only be released if the students preceptor and site have been approved, and if all USU and site compliance information are current and on file. The approval process time varies between 4-16 weeks on average, depending on the type of review and if it involves external site approvals/verification.
Expectations
OFE prioritizes placement assistance for students who have submitted all Complio requirements along with requested documentation by the required deadline. Travel within the state may be required to obtain required hours at a clinical site. The OFE will work with you to ensure all health and safety, and site-required documents are verified and on file prior to clinical placement. It is your responsibility to work to complete these requirements on a timely basis to ensure a successful placement. Same day/urgent requests for sites and preceptors are unable to be accommodated.
Notice for Post-Masters Students & MSN FNP Students with Transfer Credits
If you are in the Post-Masters Certificate program or are coming into the MSN FNP program with transfer credits, you should have a firm idea of your clinical site and preceptor selection upon entering the program. Additionally, you will be responsible for meeting the documentation and approval requirements by the deadlines provided to you by your clinical placement coordinator to avoid program progression delays.
Clinical Site and Preceptor Database
OFE maintains a database of approved clinical sites and preceptors. The information in the database is not publishable. You will have the opportunity to discuss site-specific options with your CPC. By submitting your Interest Form(s), your CPC will work with you to confirm if there is an existing agreement/relationship or if additional outreach is required.
State Requirements
There are states that require additional levels of approval, documents and fees for completing clinical hours within their state and its facilities. Please be aware of the clinical experience clearance process that may be necessary in the state you are performing clinical hours. USU is required to submit these documents in a timely manner and cannot always accept late submissions.