OVERVIEW
BSNU - Clinical Field Experience
(BSNU, RN-MSN)
The nursing bachelor's degree program is designed for current RN's who are ready to join the force of healthcare workers seeking to improve patient outcomes and community health. The RN to BSN degree builds on the foundation of previous nursing education.
All information needed to successfully complete the Field Experience hours for your D224 and D225 hours is provided within this site. Establishing a Clinical Field Experience site is time-sensitive. Students must set their Health Field Experience Start Date with their Mentor and should actively engage in networking to identify a clinical site ideally 6 months prior to their Field Experience to avoid delaying degree progression.
To avoid delaying your degree progression, set a Health Field Experience Start Date and actively engage in networking to identify potential Sites and Preceptors.
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.
Placement Connections:
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.
Placement Coordinator
The primary point of contact for all site-specific paperwork required for placement. Provides the final Clearance Email.
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 2 Field Experiences throughout the program in D224 and D225.
Students must identify their own 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 each Placement.
- Family members, close family or personal friends, or a student's direct supervisor are NOT allowed to serve as preceptors for the students in D224 and D225.
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 of 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, obtained during the Global and Population Health and Emerging Profession Practice courses, 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 am required to complete a minimum of 100 direct patient care clinical hours distributed across 2 Field Experience courses..
- D224 Global and Population Health - minimum of 55 hrs.
- D225 Emerging Professional Practice - minimum of 45 hrs.
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 in D224 and D225.
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
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 D224-Global and Population Health and or D225-Emerging Professional Practice completing Field Experience hours will be required to complete the standard compliance requirements prior to starting any Field Experience hours. The standard compliance requirements for WGU LSH Students in our 202202 BSNU and undergrad RN-MSN programs include but 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.
For compliance related question email clpscompliance@wgu.edu with "BSNU Compliance Support" in the subjcet line.
Do not send any personal health records to WGU. We cannot accept, view, or store personal health information in accordance with HIPAA regulations. For compliance questions, students should email clpscompliance@wgu.edu with “BSNU Compliance Support” in the subject line of the email.
Note: there is a $25 student-incurred fee for a 15 month subscription.
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 wgu.complio.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.
If you need assistance within the American Databank - Complio Account, please check the video links below for frequently asked questions.
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 your Course Instructor.
Review for Approval & Confirmation Email
You cannot engage in any Field Experience hours prior to receiving a Clearance Confirmation email from Clinical Learning and Placement Support.
Student Facing Field Experience Page
You will access and complete the placement requirements within the student facing Field Experience Page. You can access the page within your Student Portal within the Student Support Tab under "Field Experience" or within your Degree Plan by clicking the Field Experience Button in the top right corner.
On the Field Experience Page, you can access key information regarding your Internships including:
- Health Field Experience Start Date,
- Current Placement Progress notes from your Placement Coordinator
- A Field Experience Toolbox with links to key resources
- Contact information for your Placement Coordinator and Program Mentor
- Deadline Dates & Status of all Field Experience Requirements.
Documents and Forms:
Depending on the Agreement that WGU has with your Clinical Site, there may be additional requirements for you to complete. 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. 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
Have questions? Send an email to:
CLPSBSNU@wgu.edu