RN to BSN Practicum Information

Students are introduced to the practicum process in UNIV 300 Orientation to Online BSN, which must be successfully completed by all newly admitted BSN students. Most students do not take a practicum course in their first few sessions, allowing ample time for planning and securing appropriate placement.

Students in the RN to BSN program at SUNY Delhi are required to complete four practicum courses:

NURS 301 Health Assessment 
NURS 400 Leadership & Management
NURS 401 Community Health Nursing
NURS 403 Senior Practicum

Each practicum consists of 45 hours in practicum-related activities, and is typically completed at a hospital or agency near the student’s hometown.

The student is responsible for locating a practicum site and preceptor. We must be affiliated with the agency or hospital and the preceptor must also be approved by the Practicum Coordinator. We are able to create new affiliations with sites upon request. Please make sure this is something you are able to do before becoming a student at SUNY Delhi.  There are no agencies that are under any obligation to provide practicum experiences for our BSN students, it is always student driven.

You will have access to our list of BSN affiliated agencies once you are enrolled as a student in our program. The sites we are currently affiliated with are not under any obligation to take SUNY Delhi RN to BSN students for practicum courses.  A contract will be initiated with a new site by the BSN practicum coordinator, upon receipt of the necessary information required by the student.

The BSN Practicum Coordinator is also available to offer guidance on how to select and secure a preceptor at an appropriate site. Please don’t hesitate to contact the BSN Practicum Coordinator, Elisabeth (Libby) Marigliano for any further questions at 607-746-4429 or mariglej@delhi.edu .

 

NURS 301 Health Assessment

Preceptor: 

• A registered nurse who will be at the bedside and available to the student
• Minimally BSN prepared
• Works in a different unit/area than the student
• Has at least two years of experience as an RN, one of which must be in the area of practicum specialty for which the preceptor is used 

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

This course includes principles of health history, assessment, and physical examination of clients across the lifespan using a systems and evidence-based approach. This course uses a practicum setting of 45 hours to develop holistic approaches and techniques of health assessment utilizing critical thinking skills. The student is responsible for finding a qualified preceptor in a practicum area who will supervise the student and work collaboratively with the faculty to enable the student to accomplish the objectives. Therapeutic communication skills for effective interviewing and history taking will be a focus. Students are expected to accurately perform a series of assessments culminating in a systematic, comprehensive health assessment, analyze the assessment data, develop a plan of care and document the findings. Students will also conduct a cultural/spiritual assessment and a mental status examination of an elderly patient on clients of their choice. These two assessments will not need to be supervised by a preceptor. 

 

NURS 400 Leadership & Management in Nursing

Preceptor:

While the student will spend time with a nursing recruiter, there will be only one defined preceptor for Leadership & Management, and the requirements are:

• A registered nurse who is also a nurse manager with 24/7 responsibility and accountability for a patient care unit 
• Minimally BSN prepared
• Works in a different unit/area than the student
• Has at least two years of experience as an RN, one of which must be in the area of practicum specialty for which the preceptor is used
• The preceptor will introduce the student to the nurse recruiter

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

This course is designed to provide knowledge and skills needed for implementation of leadership and management roles within healthcare. Units of content focus on changes in the health care delivery system, leadership and management theories, effective interpersonal skills for leadership, organizational structures and climates, planned change, information management, financial management, outcomes measurement, and performance evaluation. The practicum of 45 hours (12 hours of observation with the nurse manager, 28 on the change project, which may involve consult with the nurse manager/supervisor, 5 hours with recruiter) provides opportunities for the student to develop and expand leadership skills needed in the practice of professional nursing.

 

NURS 401 Community Health Nursing

Preceptor:

• A registered nurse with experience in community health who will be available, and be with the student in the agency setting and in the field
• Minimally BSN prepared
• Has at least two years of experience as an RN, one of which must be in the area of community health

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

This course will provide the student with a broad introduction to local, national, and international community health practices and the role of nursing within this context. Using an evidence based framework, students will explore epidemiology; health promotion and disease prevention within groups; individual and family case management, community assessment, and intervention; health informatics; and factors influencing the delivery of and access to community health services. The health care needs of at-risk populations will be examined. The student will spend a total of 45 hours in practicum-related activities, allocated as follows: 12 hours of observation of the community health nurse in his/her role, 10 hours on family health assessment, 7 hours on nursing informatics project, and 16 hours on the windshield survey assignment.

 

NURS 403 Senior Practicum

Preceptor:

• A registered nurse who will be able to guide the student in addressing and meeting the course objectives
• Minimally BSN prepared
• Has at least two years of experience as an RN, one of which must be in the area of practicum specialty for which the preceptor is used
• Works in a different unit/area than the student

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

This course enables the student to further develop leadership abilities, communication, critical thinking, and decision-making skills. Content includes reflection of how program content has prepared the student for completion of the BSN, professional development, and guidance in job searching. The primary focus of the course is the planning and completing of a senior-level practicum project. Students negotiate individually planned experiences under the direction of a preceptor. Each student identifies specific learning activities for the practicum which relate directly to the selected healthcare agency. Students will prepare a contract defining the role of the student and how to meet the course objectives while working with the designated preceptor. A written log is submitted periodically documenting the student’s learning activities for the practicum. Emphasis is placed on fostering independence and self-direction for all students. Each student completes 45 hours in the individualized practicum. This experience is self-arranged to meet the career goals of the student, in a convenient location, and at convenient times. Guidance is provided in defining the experience and obtaining a preceptor as necessary.