Practice Immersion ​Placement

Students enrolled in the DNP program are required to actively partner with the OFE to secure appropriate practice settings for completion of their practice immersion hours. Milestones dates and deadlines are provided to guide students in preparation of theirpractice immersion 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 able to 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 Practice Immersion/practice immersion experience. 

College Approval

Project Mentor and practice immersion site documents will be sent for college approval by the Program Director. If documents are denied, students are responsible for providing information that meets the USU requirement. If assistance is needed, please contact your Practice Immersion 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 practice immersion requirements/documents and the college has approved your project mentor and practice immersion site, you will receive an email with approval to work with your approved practice immersion site and mentor for a specified rotation. Students will upload a copy of this approval in week one of each Practice Immersion course in the same dropbox along with the mentor 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 project mentor 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

Travel within the state may be required to obtain required hours. The OFE will work with you to ensure all health and safety, and site-required documents are verified and on file prior to practice immersion 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 Project Mentors are unable to be accommodated.

Practice Immersion Site and Project Mentor Database

OFE maintains a database of approved practice immersion sites and project mentors. The information in the database is not publishable. You will have the opportunity to discuss site-specific options with your CPC. By submitting your Project Mentor Form(s), your CPC will work with you to confirm if there is an existing agreement/relationship or if additional outreach is required.