OVERVIEW
BSNU - Clinical Field Experience
(RN-BSN, RN-MSN)
WGU's Bachelors of Science in Nursing program is designed for current RNs who are ready to join the force of healthcare workers seeking to improve patient outcomes and community health. The RN to BSN or RN to MSN degrees build on the foundation of previous nursing education.
This landing page will provide you with the information needed to successfully complete the Field Experience Placement Requirements. Establishing a Clinical Field Experience site is time-sensitive. Students must actively engage in networking to identify a clinical site ideally six months prior to their Field Experience to avoid delaying degree progression.
The PACED Video Series is a resource created to help students better understand the placement process. The first video provides an overview of the entire placement process. The second video introduces the PACED acronym. Videos three through seven focus on each element of the placement journey. Each video is 60-90 seconds. We hope you find this helpful as you prepare for the clinical component of your program.
You will need ample time to network and identify a potential host site and preceptor, as well as gathering and uploading compliance records, which can take time and may require updated immunizations.
📌 NOTE: If we need to establish an Affiliation Agreement with your selected clinical site, the process can take time.This is a legal contract negotiation process and can take 4 to 6 months to fully execute.
Any delays in completing these steps may affect your degree progression and could postpone your expected graduation date. Please plan accordingly to stay on track.
The Clinical Information Session can be accessed on your Degree Plan or in the Toolbox on your Field Experience Page.
The PowerPoint presentation provides a comprehensive review of Field Experience including:
- Field Experience Courses
- Course Competencies
- Preceptor Criteria
- Appropriate Clinical Site Criteria
- Student Field Experience Requirements
- Compliance Requirements
- Site-specific Requirements
- Resources
❇️ Student Action Required
Complete the FERPA Release Form accessed from the Field Experience Page
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA) is a Federal law designed to protect the privacy of student education records.
Due to the FERPA laws, WGU may not give out your personal information without your written consent. Before we can begin working on your placement, which may require us to give out information to a site, we need you to fill out a Clinical FERPA Release
WGU's Compliance
• May require sharing information with a site or 3rd party onboarding platform
FERPA Release Form Required
Placement Process
• Requires sharing information with potential sites and/or Preceptors
FERPA Release Form Required
❇️ Student Action Required
Complete the Standards of Professional Conduct Acknowledgement Form acessed from the Field Experience Page.
• In keeping with the mission of Leavitt School of Health, students and graduates of WGU’s health programs are expected to have the needed proficiencies and to demonstrate the professional dispositions appropriate to the field of health.
• You will read and acknowledge the Standards of Professional Conduct. Submissions of your acknowledgement will satisfy that requirement.
❇️ Student Action Required
Complete the Clinical Information Session Knowledge Check accessed from the Field Experience Page
•Within 48 hours of reviewing the Clinical Information Session, you are expected to complete the Knowledge Check.
•The Knowledge Check ensures you are familiar with your responsibilities in the placement process, including meeting important deadlines, submitting required immunizations, completing background checks, and providing other necessary documentation.
•Completing the Knowledge Check promptly confirms you are prepared to move forward with placement and reinforces your understanding of how to stay on track. Taking action within this timeframe helps prevent delays, keeps you aligned with important milestones, and supports a smooth and successful transition into your clinical experience.
❇️ Student Action Required
Complete the BSNU Preplacement Application acessed from the Field Experience Page.
• The BSNU Preplacement Application is a student profile, where you will provide the name of your current employer, indicate if you are in health professional shortage area, and provide emergency contact information.
• The completion and submission of the BSNU Preplacement Application is required to initiate the clinical portion of your program and notifies our Clinical Learning and Placement Support Coordinators that you are ready to start the placement process.
⚠️ Late applications may cause a delay in your degree progression.
- Clinical Sites must be appropriate outpatient, community-focused settings
- Procedural sites are acceptable only if students are placed in post-procedural areas that provide supportive nursing care to patients and families.
- In-patient, acute care, hospital settings are not appropriate.
• The site must agree to engage in an affiliation agreement with WGU and accept the student for placement.
• There must have a BSN or higher (MSN, NP, DNP preferred) RN on staff who provides direct patient care to facilitate the field experiences.
• You must be able to discuss and explain the experiences for one or more spheres of care appropriate for the course.
For questions on appropriateness of specific sites or field experience hours/activities please contact:
E224 – E224PopHealth@wgu.edu L225 – L225PopPracticeExp@wgu.edu
Appropriate Clinical Site List available here.
An appropriate preceptor will provide direct clinical experiences appropriate to the course to include: Wellness/ Disease Prevention, Regenerative/Restorative Care, Hospice Palliative Care and Chronic Disease Management.
The Preceptor:
• Has an active unencumbered RN license
• Must have a BSN or higher (MSN, NP, DNP) preferred
• Must provide direct patient care in a community health setting
• Has a minimum of 1 year experience in the field experience clinical area
• Serves as a liaison/guide between the student, the clinical site/collaborative agencies
• Has agreed to support a student’s learning to include:
✔️ Providing feedback on student participation in a supportive and constructive way
✔️ Communicating with the course instructor at the beginning, middle and end of the field experience
✔️ Timely approval (within 72 hours of notification from student) of the student’s time log to verify the accrued hours and account of the experience
• Collaborates with the student and Course Instructor to recommend additional learning experiences consistent with the learning goals and course competencies
• A nursing preceptor or an interdisciplinary preceptor shall not precept more than two students at any one time.
⚠️Preceptors cannot be a member of your immediate family, cannot be your direct supervisor, or have a financial, business, or professional relationship in conflict with the duties of preceptorship.
Upload Immunization and Compliance verification and support documents into your Complio account within WGU's third-party vendor American DataBank (ADB) at www.wgucompliance.com Note: there is a $25 student-incurred fee for a 15 month subscription.
WGU Standard Compliance consists of submitting proof of MMR, TDAP, Varicella, Influenza, Hepatitis B and Tuberculosis screening as well as have a copy of your current RN license and current CPR certification.
Immunization compliance is stringently required for all BSNU students. WGU Standard Compliance is required even if you are an employee at your selected Clinical Site and regardless of the policies at your Clinical Site. Employment status and Student status are not interrelated.
Please visit the Compliance Requirements page linked here.
⚠️ NOTE: Depending on the host site selected, you may be required to complete additional requirements such as a drug screen, physical exam, or site-specific onboarding. You will be notified of any additional requirements needed after selecting a host site. All documentation must be submitted to the American DataBank (ADB) by uploading supporting documents to an account known as Complio.
Do not send any personal health records to WGU. We cannot accept, view, or store personal health information in accordance with HIPAA regulations.
For technical support of the ADB/Complio site or related issues – please contact ADB/Complio at (800) 200-0853
For questions regarding your WGU Standard or site-specific compliance requirements, students should email clpscompliance@wgu.edu with “BSNU Compliance Support” in the subject line of the email.
❇️ Student Action Required
Order your WGU Clinical Badge accessed from the Field Experience Page.
After you submit the completed request form, your Clinical Badge will be mailed to the address provided. You can expect to receive your Clinical Badge within 20 business days.
⚠️ The WGU Clinical Badge is not the same as the WGU Student ID. A WGU Clinical Badge provides proof of your student status and is required as part of your clinical placement.
Failure to order your Clinical Badge in a timely manner will delay receipt and can impact your ability to attend clinical field experiences.
Submit fully completed Placement Details at least 6 months before beginning your Clinical Field Experience.
Once you have identified a host site and preceptor, you must submit the Placement Details Form accessed from the Field Experience Page.
To ensure a successful and compliant clinical experience, WGU’s Clinical Learning and Placement Support (CLPS) team collects specific placement information—including your preceptor’s contact information, contract administrator details, and the site’s name and address – for several important reasons.
🔎 What This Information Helps Us Do:
• Obtain a Preceptor Acknowledgement Form to confirm your preceptor is qualified and appropriate to support your learning.
• Verify an existing Affiliation Agreement or begin the process of negotiating a new contract with your host site.
• Confirm the site’s placement process and identify any site-specific compliance requirements and onboarding procedures.
📌 Verification Requirements:
WGU must confirm that each placement meets course and accreditation requirements which includes:
• A registered nurse preceptor with a bachelor’s degree or higher
•An appropriate clinical site that offers sufficient direct patient care learning opportunities.
•A focus on one or more of the following spheres of care: Wellness/Disease Prevention, Regenerative/Restorative Care, Chronic Disease Management or Palliative/Hospice care.
⚠️ We cannot process incomplete Placement Details! The only time you should submit placement details without a named preceptor, is if the site will be assigning a Preceptor as part of their standard process.
Students cannot engage in any Field Experience hours prior to receiving a Clearance Confirmation email from Clinical Learning and Placement Support (CLPS) and the course is active within their current term.
Hours completed without prior approval from Clinical Learning and Placement Support will not count for course completion. Students who complete hours without first receiving a clearance confirmation email will be required to secure appropriate approval and compliance and repeat hours to pass the field experience course successfully.
Click here for more information about the Final Review and Clearance Confirmation email.
Establishing your placement is a time-sensitive process. To keep your degree progression on track, we strongly recommend that you begin networking and identifying a suitable clinical site at least six months before your anticipated field experience start date.
Please note that the placement process typically takes 4–6 months from the time you submit your Placement Details to full clearance.
To support you in this process, we encourage you to:
Review the Clinical Information Session from this link, your Degree Plan, or the Toolbox in your Field Experience Page.
Familiarize yourself with the Field Experience Requirements.
We’re here to support you every step of the way and look forward to helping you succeed.
Clinical Learning and Placement Support
Clinical Learning & Placement Support Department:
- Confirms student's completion of all site-specific compliance requirements (e.g. immunizations, background checks, all onboarding.)
- Establishes Affiliation Agreements or Memorandums of Understanding with health facilities to provide students an opportunity to work with an organization.
- The primary point of contact for all communication regarding documentation and site-specific paperwork required for your Field Experience Placement.
- Provides the official Clearance Confirmation Emails advising a student is fully cleared to begin their Clinical Placement.
Clinical Learning and Placement Support Connections:
Placement Coordinator
The primary point of contact for all site-specific paperwork required for placement. Provides the final Clearance Email.
Compliance Coordinator
The primary point of contact related to student compliance items (immunizations, background check, drug screens, etc .)
Outreach Coordinator
WGU Clinical Learning and Placement Support Team related to Affiliation Agreements with partnering Clinical Sites.
BSNU Clinical Preceptors
Appropriate Preceptors must have earned a bachelor's degree or higher in nursing (BSN,MSN,NP, DNP), must have a minimum of one year of current experience in the field Experience clinical area, must hold an active, unencumbered license in the state where the organization is located or hold a multistate license in another state which allows them to practice in that state.
Students must engage in field experiences for each RN-BSN and RN-MSN program. The student must work with a preceptor when providing direct patient care in one of the 4 spheres of care which include wellness/disease prevention, regenerative/restorative care, chronic care management, or hospice/palliative care. To meet the course competencies the preceptor must have the ability to provide appropriate learning opportunities and provide filed experience activities that identify Social Determinants of Health and strategies used by the nurse in health promotion, improved health outcomes, and enhanced quality of life at all stages of life.
Identifying a Preceptor.
- As this is a volunteer (unpaid) position, we do not have a list of Preceptors for students to choose from.
- Working with a self-Identified preceptor ensures that you have a preceptor who is personally invested in your academic success.
- Working with a self-Identified preceptor ensures that the Preceptor will be available at a time and geographic location most suitable to your needs within your Field Experience Placement.
- Family members, close family or personal friends, or a student's direct supervisor are NOT allowed to serve as preceptors for the students.
Tips for Identifying a Potential Preceptor:
Networking with personal and professional contacts
Connecting with people and professionals in your circle is a great way to secure your placement with someone who is invested in your success.
Approaching potential sites in person
Meeting face-to-face with potential sites and presenting a copy of your resume allows you to make a good first impression.
Cold calling potential sites
Cold calling provides a great opportunity to introduce yourself, discuss your need for placement, and overall goals for your degree
Below are talking points to provide confidence in expressing the Preceptorship clearly and professionally when networking to secure a Preceptor. Students should find their own style, but use the following information as basic content.
My preceptor:
- Must have earned a bachelor's degree or higher and have a minimum of one year of current experience in the field experience clinical area.
- Must hold an unencumbered license in the state where the organization is located or hold a multistate license in another state which allows them to practice in that state.
- Will orient me to the clinical setting and provide information, contacts, and resources for completing my field experience.
- Will facilitate experiences that immerse me in the provider role. My preceptor will complete a brief online training module as well as work with my Course Instructors.
- Will verify my hours and provide an evaluation of my field experience.
- Will receive no monetary compensation from me as the student or WGU.
Why: The WGU BSNU program is preparing me to become a primary care provider through required field experiences. These experiences provide me with an opportunity to apply what I have learned during my specialty courses in a real-world setting.
What: These experiences are precepted learning opportunities that will help me develop knowledge, skills, and abilities across the 4 spheres of care - Wellness/Disease Prevention, Regenerative/Restorative Care, Chronic Disease Management, and Palliative or Hospice Care.
When: I must complete the required amount of direct patient care clinical hours for the course path I choose.
Non-PHN Path – E224 Global and Population Health will have 35 direct care hours.
California PHN Path – L225 Professional Practice Experiences for the Health of Diverse Populations will have 90 direct care hours to allow for applying for the California Public Health Nurse certificate upon graduation.
How: The program prepares graduates to distinguish between global, public, and population health for improved health outcomes. Identify social determinants of health (SDOH) and interventions for equitable healthcare improvements. The learner explains inter-professional interventions that alleviate suffering, improve quality of life, and empower patients and families who have received life-limiting diagnoses.
Clinical Sites & Affiliation Agreements
A WGU appropriate clinical site is a health site that offers a learner sufficient direct patient care learning opportunities across the lifespan, with diverse populations related to the course task requirements.
Students must work with a BSN Prepared Nurse employed by appropriate clinical sites in their local community, as available, in the provision of direct care across the 4 Spheres of Care:
- Wellness/Disease Prevention
- Regenerative/Restorative Care
- Chronic Disease Management
- Palliative or Hospice Care
Inpatient hospital settings or procedural care sites are not appropriate for field experiences. Click here to access printable PDF of RN-BSN Appropriate Field Experience Sites for Each Sphere of Care.
All placements will require an Affiliation Agreement between WGU and the Clinical Site.
NOTE: This is a legal contract negotiation process and can take 4 to 6 months to fully execute. Plan accordingly to avoid delaying your degree progression.
The WGU Contract Outreach Team will work with the Clinical Site Contract Administrator to negotiate an Affiliation Agreement. The Contract Administrator is different from your preceptor. The Contract Administrator is a contact from the potential clinical site who has authority to approve and sign agreements and/or the liaison between WGU and the potential clinical site. The negotiation of these agreements take time as they go back and forth several times before they are signed by both WGU and the Clinical Site.
Once the agreement is complete, the WGU Contract Outreach Team will notify the Placement Support Coordinator if there are any additional site-specific requirements or onboarding. Students will be notified by Clinical Learning and Placement Support of any additional site-specific requirements once the agreement has been fully executed and approved for student placement. These requirements might include additional site-specific onboarding, orientation, or compliance-related items such as a Drug Screen or Physical Exam.
Depending on the Agreement that WGU has with your Clinical Site, there may be additional requirements for you to complete. Clinical Learning and Placement Support will guide you through the steps required for placement at your chosen Clinical Site. Every site has different requirements, and requirements often change. Please note that many of these requirements or 3rd party sites have additional student fees associated with them.
3rd Party on-boarding:
- ACEMAPP
- Castlebranch
- My Clinical Exchange
- San Diego Consortium
Site-Specific Documents and Forms:
- Confidentiality Agreements
- Compliance Attestations
- Institutional Review Board (IRB) Approvals
- Site Orientation and Badges
Compliance Requirements
Compliance and placement requirements vary from site to site. The Clinical Learning and Placement Support Team ensure students meet site-specific compliance and documentation requirements at the selected site.
All students enrolled in field experience courses must complete the standard compliance requirements before starting any field experience hours. The standard compliance requirements for WGU LSH students in our undergraduate RN-BSN and RN-MSN programs include by are not limited to:
- A satisfactory criminal background check completed and updated as indicated by a facility and/or every two years.
- Verification of immunizations - MMR (Measles, Mumps, and Rubella), Tdap (Tetanus, Diphtheria, and Pertussis), Varicella, Influenza, TB (Tuberculosis), and Hepatitis B.
- Verification of health insurance.
- CPR certification through the American Heart Association BLS
- Confirmation of the student’s Registered Nurse license (if applicable). Students must be licensed in the state in which they are completing their field experiences.
- Other vaccines or requirements as indicated by WGU, the CDC, and/or partnering organizations.
Complianace verification and support documents must be uploaded to their Complio account within WGU's third-party vendor American DataBank (ADB) at www.wgucompliance.com Note: there is a $25 student-incurred fee for a 15 month subscription.
Do not send any personal health records to WGU. We cannot accept, view, or store personal health information in accordance with HIPAA regulations.
For technical support of the ADB/Complio site or related issues – please contact ADB/Complio at (800) 200-0853
For questions regarding your WGU Standard or site-specific compliance requirements, students should email clpscompliance@wgu.edu with “BSNU Compliance Support” in the subject line of the email.
Compliance Steps
- Step 1
- Step 2
- Step 3
- Step 4
- Site-Specific Steps
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Acceptable Document Descriptions
1. Create or Update your Complio/American Databank Account.
You will complete these requirements by either updating an existing account you previously created upon enrollment or by creating a new account. Click the button below to access ADB/Complio using your WGU login.
2. Order the "Post-Licensure Compliance Package".
- Place an Order
- Select Program - Post-Licensure (BSN, RN-MSN, and MSN Nursing)
- Select Your State of Residence
- Click on Load Packages
- Purchase the Post-Licensure Compliance Package
Utilize this link for access to step by step instructions on how to order your Immunization Tracking Package.
There is a student-incurred fee for all packages.
3. Upload proof of vaccination or proof of immunity (positive antibody titer) as well as a negative tuberculosis test.
- MMR
- TDAP
- Varicella
- Influenza
- Hepatitis B
Titer results for the above pathogens must be positive. A negative result will require additional boosters doses. Verification of immunity to communicable diseases may include documentation of vaccinations and/or serologic evidence of immunity via IgG antibody titer screenings.
- Tuberculosis
Verification of immunity against Mychobacterium tuberculosis requires a negative skin tests, blood test or chest x-ray.
Use this form as a reference on what is needed to complete each compliance item: Compliance Form (ADB) Required Documentation.
Immunization records must have:
- Patient full name
- Date of test or vaccine
- Test results
- Facility or physician office where completed
We cannot accept handwritten immunization records/cards.
The COVID-19 vaccine, although not required by WGU for the BSNU Program, may be required by your placement site. Please upload COVID vaccine cards in the COVID-19 Section within Complio.
Documentation of immunity to communicable diseases and screening for tuberculosis is stringently required for all nursing students at WGU. Even if a student is seeking placement with their employer, a fully compliant ADB account is required, as employment status and placement are not interrelated.
A declination form is not appropriate unless there is a documented medical limitation to a vaccine. In order to decline a compliance item, you will need to submit an Exception Request within American DataBank/Complio providing documentation of necessity with proof from your Physician. Exception Requests will be reviewed by the WGU Compliance Team and if the exception is approved you may receive a final declination form to fill out.
4. Proof of CPR and Health Insurance
- CPR card BLS through AHA - front & back required
- Proof of Health Insurance - front & back required
ONLY complete the items below if advised to do so by your WGU Placement Coordinator.
Add-on Compliance Packages have an additional fee associated.
Background Check
ONLY renewed if advised to do so by your Placement Coordinator. (Additional Fee)
Please note you may have completed this upon admission to WGU. Your background check expires after two years and must be current at the time of your Internship. There may also be a site-specific requirement of an additional background check. You will be notified, by your Placement Coordinator, if your placement requires an additional or updated background check.
Physical Exam
Site-Specific. Only needed if advised to do so by your Placement Coordinator.
(Additional Fee)
The WGU Physical Exam Form must be completed by a licensed M.D., N.P., C.N.M., or P.A. Once you have completed your physical examination, you will upload the signed form into the Miscellaneous Sub-Category within your American Data Bank account.
10 Panel Drug Screening
Site-Specific. Only needed if advised by your Placement Coordinator. (Additional Fee)
To order a drug screening within your ADB/Complio compliance account, please complete the following steps:
- Log into your Complio account at www.wgucompliance.com
- Select Place Order in the top right of your Complio account next to the shopping cart icon
- Select Program from the drop-down menu
- Select Location/State from the drop-down menu
- Click the Load Packages button
- From the Screening Section – Select Drug Screening 10 Panel
After you purchase the drug screening package, you will receive an email with materials and directions guiding you to complete the screening at a testing center nearest you. Your drug screen voucher expires 30 days from purchase. Some clinical sites require drug screening to be completed within a certain time-frame in relation to your start date. I.e 30 days from your start date.
WGU cannot accept a drug screening from any other source besides our affiliate.
NOTE: Your drug screening sample can take up to 3 days to process, so please plan accordingly. The results will automatically post to your Complio account. However, please email clpscompliance@wgu.edu when you have completed the screening so we can update your compliance status.
Download Compliance FAQ
Compliance requirements align with site contractual/legal expectations and practices that have become standard in the healthcare industry and are required to meet the legal liability for your field experience within a healthcare setting. The compliance requirements help to reduce communicable diseases in the healthcare setting, ultimately keeping you, patients, and healthcare workers safe during your internships.
Yes, you will need to complete the compliance requirements. You are not considered an employee during your field experience, even if you are employed at the same site. Your employment status and your Field Experience are not interconnected.
To submit your compliance documentation, you will need to order an immunization-tracking package within your American DataBank account. The website address is www.wgucompliance.com
Yes, the immunization-tracking subscription is a student incurred fee. There may be fees associated with the purchase of additional site-specific compliance items (i.e., drug screening, updated background check if necessary, etc.) Please check the American DataBank website for these specific costs.
You should begin working on Compliance immediately following the Clinical Information Session. Your ADB/Complio account must be fully compliant, a minimum of one month prior to your Field Experience.
No, please do not send any personal health records to the University, as WGU cannot accept or store personal health information in accordance with HIPAA regulations. All compliance documentation must be submitted to your account within the American DataBank.
You can obtain the documentation for your RN license from your state-specific Board of Nursing website or Nursys online service. Nursys’ website address is nursys.com. To submit proof of your current nursing license, you can upload a screen capture or picture.
The background check that you completed upon admission to WGU is valid for two years. If your background check is more than two years old, you will need to purchase a new one in order to meet your compliance requirements. There may also be the request of a site-specific background check. If an additional background check is required, you will be notified by Clinical Learning & Placement Support.
You will need to order a drug screening through the American DataBank. Once the order is complete, you will receive an email with details on where to go to provide your sample to complete this requirement.
The physical form was included in your “Compliance Requirements Needed” email, but it can also be found in the Documents and Forms section. You will upload your completed physical exam form to the Miscellaneous Sub-Category within your American DataBank account.
Your employer may not require an up-to-date TB screening for your employment; however, your employment status and your Field Experience are not interconnected. Therefore, to complete the compliance requirements, you will need to show proof of a current TB screening.
Unfortunately, WGU cannot assist you with logging into your compliance account with the American DataBank. To reset your password or to obtain your login credentials, please contact the American DataBank helpline is (800) 200-0853.
If you need assistance within the American Databank - Complio Account, please check the video links below for frequently asked questions or contact the ADB Customer Service at (800) 200-0853.
Overview of the Field Experiences for All Students
Anything related to your current work position (e.g., CPR training, work shifts, training orientation, or courses, classes, or conferences) are not acceptable for this project, nor are drive time, orientation, or other logistical or administrative tasks (e.g., obtaining a facility badge).
If you have questions about course content please reach out to the Course Instructor inbox for the related Field Experience Course.
E224 - E224PopHealth@wgu.edu
L225 - L225PopPracticeExp@wgu.edu
Global and Population Health prepares students for the role of the nurse in preserving and promoting health among diverse populations. Additionally, basic principles of epidemiology, social determinants of health (SDOH), and resource allocation through value-based care are outlined. The course introduces planning, organization, and delivery of services for diverse populations in community settings, including illness prevention, disaster preparedness, and environmental health. In the required field experience, the student will become familiar with the many methods nurses use to support and maintain the health of the population within their communities.
Inpatient hospital settings or procedural care sites are not appropriate for field experiences.
This is an interactive experience where the student works alongside the preceptor to speak with patients, participate in care, education, collaboration, etc. The student is required to complete a total of 35 direct care hours focused on one or more of the 4 spheres of care which include wellness/disease prevention, regenerative/restorative care, chronic care management, or hospice/palliative care.
The course covers the following competencies:
The learner distinguishes between global, public, and population health for improved health outcomes.
The learner identifies social determinants of health (SDOH) and interventions for equitable healthcare improvements.
The learner identifies epidemiological data sources that inform population health interventions.
The learner identifies the effect of global health trends on healthcare capacity that inform service modification decisions in healthcare.
The learner evaluates population health solutions for environmental health effects.
Professional Practice Experiences for the Health of Diverse Populations prepares students for the role of the nurse in promoting, restoring, and maintaining the health of diverse populations. Students build on previous knowledge and review of population health and the nurse’s role regarding health promotion, prevention, and maintenance. Additionally, the four AACN spheres of care are introduced.
Inpatient hospital settings or procedural care sites are not appropriate for field experiences.
This is an interactive experience where the student works alongside the preceptor to speak with patients, participate in care, education, collaboration, etc. The student is required to complete a total of 90 direct care hours focused on one or more of the 4 spheres of care which include wellness/disease prevention, regenerative/restorative care, chronic care management, or hospice/palliative care.
This course prepares students to apply for the California Public Health Nurse certificate upon graduation or in the future.
The course covers the following competencies:
The learner distinguishes the use of one or more spheres of care to improve health outcomes for diverse populations across the lifespan.
The learner differentiates between strategies used for health promotion, prevention, or maintenance to meet the needs of diverse patient populations.
The learner identifies social determinants of health (SDOH) and interventions for equitable healthcare improvements.
Final Review & Confirmation Email
You cannot engage in any Field Experience hours prior to receiving a Clearance Confirmation email from WGU's Clinical Learning and Placement Support Department and the course is active within your current term.
Hours completed without prior approval from Clinical Learning and Placement Support will not count for course completion. Students who complete hours without first receiving a clearance confirmation email will be required to secure appropriate approval and compliance and repeat hours to pass the field experience course successfully.
Final Placement Approval Process
Before a student can be cleared for clinical placement, the following must be completed:
A Clinical Preceptor and affiliated Clinical Site have been identified
The Preceptor’s appropriateness has been confirmed (licensure, qualifications, availability, etc.)
All Field Experience Requirements have been completed
All Compliance Requirements and any Site-Specific Requirements have been met
CLPS Final Review and Approval
Once the above steps are complete, the Clinical Learning and Placement Support (CLPS) Team will conduct a final review of the placement. This review ensures the site and preceptor meet accreditation and university standards, including:
The Preceptor is a registered nurse with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) or higher
The Clinical Site provides sufficient direct patient care opportunities aligned with the course objectives
The placement supports certification requirements and WGU’s mission
Clinical Site Verification
CLPS also verifies:
There is an active affiliation agreement with the Clinical Site
All contractual obligations are met, including:
Collection of site-specific documentation
Compliance with onboarding processes—either with the host site or via a 3rd party vendor
Note: Some clinical sites may require CLPS to submit all documentation on the student's behalf, or may require additional onboarding steps. These steps can extend review timelines depending on the site's requirements and response time.
After a placement is verified to meet all accreditation, compliance, and site-specific requirement,s you’ll receive an official “Clearance Confirmation Email”.
The subject line will be:
E224 Global and Population Health Clearance Confirmation or L225 Professional Practice Clearance Co,nfirmation depending on which path you are enrolled in.
The email will come from clpsbsnu@wgu.edu, and is sent to the student, with a copy to the Preceptor, and Program Mentor. This email officially clears you to begin your Field Experience once you field experience is in your current term and you are actively enrolled in the course.
You cannot engage in any Field Experience hours prior to receiving a Clearance Confirmation email from WGU's Clinical Learning and Placement Support Department and the course is active within your current term.
Hours completed without prior approval from Clinical Learning and Placement Support will not count for course completion. Students who complete hours without first receiving a clearance confirmation email will be required to secure appropriate approval and compliance and repeat hours to pass the field experience course successfully.
Wyoming State Board of Nursing approval consists of:
- Confirmation of affiliation agreement between WGU and your chosen site
- Confirmation of Course Objectives
- Verification of your Preceptors Credentials and Resume
Your WGU CLPS Coordinator will submit the Approval Request to the Board. All records will be reviewed, in full, for Final Placement Approval.
Documents and Forms:
Depending on the Agreement that WGU has with your Clinical Site, there may be additional requirements for you to complete. Please note that many of these requirements or 3rd party sites have additional student fees associated with them.
3rd Party on-boarding:
- ACEMAPP
- Castlebranch
- My Clinical Exchange
- San Diego Consortium
Site-Specific Documents and Forms:
- Confidentiality Agreements
- Compliance Attestations
- Institutional Review Board (IRB) Approvals
- Site Orientation and Badges
Wyoming State Board of Nursing Approval Consists of:
- Confirmation of affiliation agreement between WGU and your chosen site
- Confirmation of Course Objectives
- Verification of your Preceptors Credentials and Resume
Your WGU CLPS Coordinator will submit the Approval Request to the Wyoming State Board of Nursing. All records will be reviewed, in full, for Final Placement Approval.
Have questions? Send an email to:
CLPSBSNU@wgu.edu
