Conducting Non-clinical Graduate Nursing Rotations at UW Health with a Preceptor (Practicum, Residency, Mentor)

  • This resource is for students interested in doing a non-clinical rotation (also known as Practicums or Residencies or Mentorships) with a preceptor as a part of an MSN or DNP program with a leadership focus.
  • Go here to determine the process for additional tracks for nursing student projects or rotations.
  • All nursing graduate students (regardless of UW Health employment status) who would like to complete a non-clinical rotation with a UW Health preceptor (also known as mentor) for academic credit must follow the steps listed below.
  • The steps outlined here are requirements for UW Health. There may be additional requirements from the student’s academic institution. It is the student’s responsibility to find out about additional requirements from their academic institution.

All the steps must be completed before the nursing student can begin spending hours with their preceptor as part of their rotation or participating in UW Health activities as a student. These steps ensure the student is onboarded and has completed required competencies.

Step 1. Nursing student notifies their academic institution’s Clinical Placement Coordinator

  • The nursing student needs to start this process by notifying their academic institution’s Clinical Placement Coordinator to let them know of their desire to complete the student rotation at UW Health.
  • The academic institution’s Clinical Placement Coordinator will ensure that an Affiliation Agreement is in place between the student’s academic institution and UW Health. If an Affiliation Agreement is not in place, it is the responsibility of the academic institution’s Clinical Placement Coordinator to complete this process. For additional guidance with this process, the school’s Clinical Placement Coordinator should reach out to NursingStudentsProjectsRotations@uwhealth.org.
    • Affiliation Agreements may take 3 to 6 months to be completed. It is strongly recommended that the student inquire about this detail early in the process.
    • Signing a new Affiliation Agreement is at the discretion of UW Health.

Step 2. Student identifies UW Health preceptor

  • Once the nursing student receives verification that there is an Affiliation Agreement between the academic institution and UW Health, they should then find a preceptor.
  • The nursing student must establish a preceptor for their rotation by identifying a UW Health employee. The student should discuss their preceptor identification with the academic institution’s Clinical Placement Coordinator and the course instructor to determine appropriateness.
  • The student should work with their preceptor and discuss the student’s academic requirements for the rotation to ensure the preceptor and organization can meet their needs. The student and preceptor should create a plan to complete rotation.
  • The student should review the preceptor requirements and restrictions below to be sure that they select someone who meets their rotation needs.
  • If the student cannot determine a preceptor, the student should email NursingStudentAcademicProjects@uwhealth.org for help with finding a preceptor.

Carefully read and follow the requirements and restrictions of a preceptor.

Requirements of a Preceptor

A preceptor of a DNP student at UW Health will be overseeing the DNP student’s practice while they are in the walls of UW Health. Although requirements of all academic institutions may vary, a preceptor at UW Health must meet the following minimum requirements:

  • A bachelor’s degree in nursing*
  • Must be in a UW Health position that requires an RN as a minimum qualification. *

Preceptor Restrictions for UW Health Employees

  • The UW Health preceptor cannot be the employee’s paid supervisor or manager.
  • The student’s rotation cannot take place at the same location where the student is a paid employee.
  • The student cannot complete their rotation hours during work hours; the student work must be completed on unpaid time.

*If the student is conducting a rotation outside of nursing, a non-nurse preceptor may be permitted. The preceptor should confirm their appropriateness with the UWH Clinical Placement Office by emailing NursingStudentProjectsRotations@uwhealth.org

Step 3. Student works with their Academic Institution’s Clinical Placement Coordinator

  • Once Steps 1 and 2 are complete, the student should inform their academic institution’s Clinical Placement Coordinator so that they can place a rotation request in myClinicalExchange (MCE).

Step 4. Upload documents on myClinicalExchange

  • Once the student’s rotation has been entered by their academic institution’s Clinical Placement Coordinator and approved by the UWH Clinical Placement Office, they will receive an email prompting them to upload documents into myClinicalExchange.
  • The student must complete the required documentation upload and training to be compliant with the student requirements.
  • Remember that this step must be completed for all nursing students, regardless of what academic institution the student attends and whether they are employed by UW Health.
  • Students will know that they are compliant in myClinicalExchange when they see the green thumbs up in the system.
  • Steps 1 thru 4 must be completed at least 4 weeks before the planned start of the student’s rotation

Step 5. Obtain appropriate UW Health access

  • Students will receive emails from their academic institution’s Clinical Placement Coordinator and myClinicalExchange about obtaining appropriate UW Health access and a UW Health student ID badge. Once the student receives this email notification, this is the final step of this process and indicates that the student on-boarding process is complete. In coordination with their UW preceptor, the student may begin their rotation.
  • Students should wear their student ID badge and always use their student login when performing student specific work.

How soon should students start this process?

  • It is recommended to start the process at least 8 to 12 weeks before students are to begin their project.
  • Steps 1 thru 5 must be completed 4 weeks before the first day of the student’s rotation. For example, if the rotation is to start at the end of January, Steps 1 thru 5 must be completed by the end of December. Therefore, the student should start the process in October or November.
  • Step 5 must be completed before the nursing student can begin spending hours with their preceptor as part of their rotation or participating in UW Health activities as a student.

If students have questions, who should they reach out to?

Questions should be directed to their academic institution’s Clinical Placement Coordinator who will reach out to UW Health key stakeholders as needed. Students should remain in close communication with their academic institution’s Clinical Placement Coordinator.