Each student in Gonzaga University’s NP Program is an experienced Registered Nurse who brings a unique background of specialty and experience to the NP role.
The Clinical Experience
The clinical rotations range from 60 - 240 hours per semester. The scheduling of these hours is determined by you and the student before the semester begins.
Before starting their clinical rotation, the student should provide you with the following information:
- Student CV or resume
- Learning goals for the semester
Clinical experiences should provide opportunities for students to work directly with patients as they perform the advanced practice role. During the time spent with you, the student is expected to demonstrate strong assessment skills, varying competencies in differential diagnoses and diagnostic reasoning, with the ability to create a solid plan of care.
Generally, after the student completes a brief orientation to your clinical setting, you should have the student follow you while you see patients for a few hours to a full day so that the student can observe your practice style and interactions with clients. At the end of this time, allow the student to see patients alone and present their cases to you.
In working with NP students you should:
- Evaluate the student’s ability to present history and physical exam findings to you succinctly.
- Meet regularly with the student to discuss progress in the clinical setting. Be specific in giving the student feedback about strengths as well as areas in which they need to make improvements.
- Occasionally observe the student performing an entire physical exam, if time allows.
- Notify the Gonzaga University Clinical Coordinator (509-313-6640) if there is a problem of any kind with the student’s practice at the site.
- Complete an evaluation for the student at the end of each semester.
While the student is working with you, Gonzaga Clinical Faculty will visit the student in your clinic for a Student Evaluation. The Clinical Faculty will observe the student engaging with patients. During the site visit, it is beneficial for the Clinical Faculty to connect with you to discuss the student’s progress and any concerns that you might have. The Clinical Faculty will email you ahead of the visit to ensure that the date and time will work for your schedule.
Student Responsibilities
At the start of their practicum courses, students are made aware of the following responsibilities:
- Meet with you before beginning the clinical experience. Provide you with a copy of the student’s CV or resume and a copy of the student’s written learning goals for the semester. Confirm that you understand the responsibility for evaluating the student’s performance throughout the semester. Clarify your expectations for dress code, documentation, and any other practice habits of importance.
- Contact you to confirm the student’s schedule approximately two weeks before beginning each clinical rotation.
- Notify you and your office staff of any changes in the scheduled clinical experience (including any absence due to illness).
- Prepare written learning goals and week-by-week objectives for their learning experience.
- Meet with you, formally or informally, each week. Use this meeting to review the student’s written objectives, discuss pertinent cases, review documentation, and to request feedback about the student’s performance.
- Submit Database (if required) and Clinical Progress Notes (in SOAP format) by the deadlines noted in the course syllabus.
- Participate in the clinical group to which the student are assigned and attend any scheduled meetings.
- Notify the course instructor if the student is experiencing any problems with your clinical site, your clinical faculty, or you.
- Near the end of the semester, remind you of the responsibility for completing the clinical evaluation. This form serves as documentation of the student's presence in the clinical setting and will be part of the student’s permanent record at Gonzaga University.