Fieldwork

Fieldwork (T NURS 503), a vital component of the MN program, is an opportunity to apply concepts examined throughout the program in the real-world context of communities, healthcare systems, staff development, or educational settings. The focus is on preparing students for roles that require graduate education in communities, population-based care, and leadership in healthcare systems, or education.

Students are required to take two quarters of fieldwork once prerequisites have been met. Fieldwork involves seminars and field experience for a total of nine (9) hours per week.

Each student is responsible for and selects a fieldwork placement in an organization or agency according to individual interests; fieldwork placement and related learning objectives require approval of the student’s committee chair or curriculum option faculty. The Nursing Program has a list of sites that have been used for fieldwork placements. If there is an organization/experience not previously used by the Nursing Program that a student prefers for fieldwork, the student should provide contact information (name, title of individual, organization, phone, e-mail, address) to the fieldwork coordinator so that the process of establishing an educational affiliation agreement with the agency can be initiated.

If a student’s thesis or project topic AND field work focus are closely related, the student must consult with his or her committee chair to be certain there are separate, identified learning outcomes for both TNURS 503 Advanced Fieldwork and TNURS 598 scholarly project.

It is essential that students complete the Clinical Clearance Verification with staff in the Nursing Program Office (see details below). Without this verification, students will not get an entry code to register for fieldwork.

Fieldwork Logistics

Transportation

Fieldwork placements are arranged throughout the region. Students are responsible for their own transportation to and from fieldwork sites. Travel to and from the site is not considered part of fieldwork hours.

Attire for Fieldwork

Students are expected to adhere to the dress requirements of the agency where they are assigned for fieldwork experiences.

Name Badge

A UW Tacoma student name badge must be worn at all times when participating in course-related activities, but should be worn only when a student is functioning under the auspices of UW Tacoma. Students will be required to purchase a name pin for a nominal fee through the Nursing Program office. Information regarding this will be distributed to all students prior to registration for these courses.

Verifications

Verifications and completed forms (see below) must be on file and approved in the UW Tacoma Nursing Program Office before students or faculty engage in fieldwork.

• Immunization Health History form  - complete and return; immunizations must be current. UW requires proof of select immunizations, either copies of medical records or, if not available, titers or re- immunizations, in addition to the information reported on this form. More information about these requirements will be distributed to all students prior to registration for fieldwork.   See the UW Seattle School of Nursing webpage for details about each required immunization.  Contact UW Tacoma Nursing with any questions.
• Needle Stick Policy and Training in Blood Borne Pathogens Acknowledgment Statement Form  - complete and return to the Nursing Program Office.
• Current Photo Identification - present a current Washington State driver's license or a Washington State ID card to the Nursing Program Office.
• CPR - turn in copy of CPR card with expiration date visible; this certification must be current at the time of practicum (fieldwork).
• HIPAA - all students must complete UW HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) training. The training is conducted individually via a secure website and lasts approximately 90 minutes. Information regarding website and individual login information will be distributed with clearance forms. It is important to note that you may be required to take additional HIPAA modules at certain clinical sites.
• Current RN License - licensure will be verified through the Washington State Department of Health by the Nursing Program staff; RN license must be unencumbered and current while enrolled in the Nursing Program.
• Verified Credentials, Inc. Clearance (VCI) - students admitted to UW Tacoma Nursing in 2009 were required to submit a criminal background check via VCI for admission to the Program.
• Conviction/Criminal History Form - students are required to complete forms required for implementation of the Washington State Child Abuse and Adult Abuse Information Law (CAAL) and related Department of Health regulations. This includes completion of and a criminal background check, which the UW Tacoma Nursing program will treat confidentially and process through the Washington State Patrol. Students admitted after 2008 will have submitted this form as part of the application process.
• Student ID "Husky Card" - all students are required to carry their UW student photo ID. ID cards are available to students from the Office of the Registrar.