When will I find out who my Placement Specialist is?/How can I contact the Placement team? 

You can reach out to OnlineNursingClinicalPlacement@Georgetown.edu with questions in addition to your student success specialist. 

What if I need to move to another state/city prior to my clinical rotation(s)?

Students need to notify their Student Support Specialist and fill out a relocation form in the digital campus. Relocation forms are due 16 weeks in advance of the move/beginning of the clinical term. Students will need to obtain an U.S. Registered Nurse (RN) license for their new state of residence. *If we receive a relocation notification after the 16-week deadline, we are unable to guarantee placement in the new location and referrals are encouraged for successful placement. 

I work full time. Can I complete my clinical placement on evenings and weekends?

All students are required to have weekday business hours available to accommodate clinical placement and should expect to attend clinicals 1-4 business days per week depending on the clinical term. This will ensure a quality clinical experience. Some students who work during the program are able to adjust their work schedules to hours on evenings and weekends. *If you need evening or weekend placement hours, a referral will need to be submitted with a preceptor whose schedule aligns with your personal placement needs. 

Are there any specifications for preceptors?

Preceptors must have at least one year of experience and can be either a nurse practitioner (NP) or physician (NPs are always preferred) and must be board certified. In some instances, depending on state guidelines, students can rotate with a physician’s assistant (PA). Students must complete AT LEAST one rotation with a nurse practitioner (two in Oregon). 

What are the benefits for preceptors?

Preceptor benefits include professional networking, resume building, fulfilling recertification requirement, access to Georgetown library and appointment as a sponsored university affiliate. 

How are clinical hours scheduled with a preceptor?

Once students receive their site information, the student should reach out via email or phone to schedule hours with their preceptor. These hours are scheduled around the preceptor’s schedule. Clinical faculty advisors are a great resource for assistance in scheduling. 

What if I want to do my clinical placement at my place of employment?

Students can complete their clinical placement at their place of employment, as long as the preceptor is not the student’s supervisor or direct report.

Can I make a referral for a placement site?

Students can submit a referral from their professional and/or personal network through the digital campus. Referrals are due 14 weeks prior to the upcoming start date, referrals submitted after the 14-week deadline may be used for future terms if a student is already placed at its submission. Referrals are subject to faculty for approval. 

What are the elements of a useful referral?

The student has made contact with the site and/or preceptor, and they have expressed interest in hosting or have agreed to host the student. The site is primary care focused, outpatient and uses evidence based practice. Please do not submit specialty clinics (cardiology, neurology, etc.) or just provide a list of sites/providers. Preceptors can be NPs, MDs, or DOs and occasionally — if state regulations allow — PAs. FNP preferred preceptor for all rotations. Please note that a referral does not guarantee placement at a site. 

What if I submit a referral less than 14 weeks out from the rotation start date?

Referrals can be submitted at any point during the clinical term. However, the later in the term they are submitted, the less likely the referral site will be secured in time for the student’s clinical rotation. *If a student is already in a Faculty Approved placement for the upcoming term, referrals will be used for the next clinical term. 

What is the role of my Clinical Faculty Advisor (CFA)?

CFAs have direct contact with the student, serving in the dual role of advisor and supervisor of the clinical practicum. They are responsible for on-­going communication with the student and the preceptor, coordination with the clinical site, clinical evaluation and problem solving and de-­briefing of the clinical experience. Students receive their CFA assignments approximately two weeks before the start of their first clinical term. 

When do I receive my site information?

Students receive their site information when their clinical placement is fully confirmed. This means that all provider and site documents have been collected, site/preceptor are vetted and approved by faculty, affiliation agreement has been signed by both the school and the site, and all of the student’s site and CastleBranch requirements have been completed. 

Do I need my license in surrounding states?

Students are strongly encouraged to secure nursing licenses in all states within 100 miles from their preferred placement address. Our search radius for every placement is 100 miles. There is always a chance that you may be placed in a surrounding state. Failure to obtain a clinical license in a border state may jeopardize your planned program of study and result in an unintentional leave of absence from the program. If you do not hold a license in the state where your clinical placement has been secured, you will be unable to progress in your clinical sequence and will need to take a leave of absence. Given that clinical licensure can be a lengthy process, students are urged to start the process when they enter the program to avoid potential delays in your planned program of study.

I can only travel within a limited distance of my home. How do I ensure my placement is within that range?

While the clinical placement team searches to find and secure placement as close to your home as possible, we cannot guarantee a specific distance for any rotation. If a student has a specific travel restriction, it is encouraged to submit a referral that matches your personal needs.