Introduction

The Advanced Nursing Practicum courses (T NURS 503 and 505) are essential parts of the MN program, offering students a chance to put into practice the ideas they've studied during the program within actual community, healthcare system, or academic environments. These courses aim to ready students for positions that demand a graduate-level education. After fulfilling the necessary prerequisites, students must complete two quarters of the Advanced Nursing Practicum. This includes participating in seminars and engaging in nine hours of advanced practice each week in a real-world setting. 

Students work collaboratively with the Clinical Placement Manager in the selection of an appropriate advanced nursing practicum placement in an organization or agency, with consideration given to the student's professional goals and interests.

Practicum Expectations

The MN students are working nurses who are interested in furthering their career, typically outside of direct patient care. Practicum occurs in autumn quarter and winter quarter. The practicum runs across ten weeks each quarter; September – December and January - March respectively. Students are expected to complete 90 hours (9 hours/week) of practicum each quarter. 

The preceptor must be a registered nurse and, at minimum, have a Master of Nursing or a Master of Science in Nursing degree. Higher nursing degrees are also welcome.

UW Tacoma Master of Nursing Practicum Learning Objectives

T NURS 503: At the completion of this course, students should be able to:

  • Gain master’s level nursing practice experience within a defined setting.
  • Apply master’s level nursing practice principles, incorporating theories and concepts from coursework.
  • Apply ethical analysis and clinical reasoning to assess, intervene, and evaluate advanced nursing care delivery.
  • Discuss mentoring and advocacy efforts to advance the careers of all members of the healthcare team.
  • Describe how master’s level nurses can advocate for patients, families, caregivers, and communities. 

T NURS 505: At the completion of this course, students should be able to: 

  • Gain master’s level nursing practice experience within a defined setting.
  • Apply master’s level nursing practice principles, incorporating theories and concepts from coursework.
  • Design strategies that promote lifelong learning, incorporating professional nursing standards and accountability.
  • Integrate an evolving personal philosophy of nursing and healthcare into nursing practice.

Examples of Previous Projects

Quarter 1: Developed guidance for clinics and providers based on best practices for screening of certain cancers as well as heart disease and stroke.
Quarter 2: Developed training modules on aforementioned cancers & heart disease and stroke and decision-making tools to improve efficacy for clinic preapprovals.

Quarter 1: Develop curriculum and create modules for associate of nursing education
Quarter 2: Teach and evaluate aforementioned curriculum and modules

Quarter 1: Review nursing and CNA systems and processes in a hospital setting
Quarter 2: Create and share recommendations and process improvement

Currently precepting? See below for the current student evaluation survey:

Student Evaluation

Interested in precepting? See below for the preceptor interest survey:

Preceptor Interest Survey