Graduate Placements
General Overview
All Masters level programs of the Lawrence S. Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing at the University of Toronto include courses combining scholarship and practical field work experiences. The purpose of the practicum experience is to consolidate learning from the graduate program in a real life setting, utilizing the knowledge and skill of advanced practice preceptors currently employed in the role. Students can refer to the timeline documents (MN Clinical, MN HSLA, NP) for further information. Additional resources for NP students include an FAQ document and algorithms for each area of emphasis (Adult, Paeds, PHC-GH).
Handbooks
The Faculty will provide updated MN HSLA and MN Clinical Handbooks in 2021
2020-2021 NP Preceptor Handbook (Year 1 NP)
2021 NP Preceptor Handbook (Year 2 NP winter term)
Year 1 MN Clinical Student Placement
The Year 1 MN Clinical Student Placement is focused on shadowing an APN in a practice setting to develop an understanding of the complexities of the role and to learn about the enactment of advanced practice nursing competencies. The student practicum forms the practice basis for certain scholarly work in the first year of the program. Newly admitted MN Clinical students will receive information about placements in the Summer (i.e. June/July) prior to beginning the program in the Fall term. All Year 1 MN Clinical students have a 24-hour practicum placement from approximately September to November for their first year of the program. Efforts will be made to match students’ preferences for particular preceptors and locations. However, confirmed placements will depend on preceptor availability, the suitability of placement setting, signed student placement agreements, and other factors. See details below regarding Year 2 MN Clinical student placements
Year 2 MN Clinical Student Placement
During the practicum, students are expected to contribute to their practicum agency through a negotiated, mutually satisfying project with a scholarly focus that will be articulated in presentation format in Week 10 (Residency Week) and form the basis for the practice paper. The scholarly focus must be completed within the placement experience of 160 hours and may take the form of a negotiated project or active planning and delivery in teaching / learning interventions for staff or patients / families, or working with nursing staff and other expert health care team members to ensure that excellent nursing care is planned, provided, and evaluated. All practice scholarship must concentrate on a combination of the relevant competencies of the advanced nursing practice role. All learners are expected to meet regularly with their preceptors throughout the term during work hours for advanced practice preceptors (Monday to Friday) and should expect to spend the majority of their time in the practice setting (with their preceptors or in other planned practicum activities) to ensure that they maximize learning about the advanced practice nurse role.
Year 1 MN HSLA Student Placement
The year 1 practicum experience provides students with opportunities to learn about the advanced practice nursing role through observation including shadowing, attending meetings, and observing leadership abilities of others. Through these experiences, students develop an understanding of the different roles of nurse leaders / executives and the opportunities and challenges associated with leading in current health care contexts. During the practicum, students are typically placed with Nurse Managers, Professional Practice Leaders, Directors, and other Advanced Practice Nursing roles. Learners are expected to spend time with their preceptors during work hours (Monday to Friday) and should expect to spend the majority of their time in the practice setting with their preceptors to ensure that they maximize learning.
Year 2 MN HSLA Student Placement
The year 2 practicum experience provides students with opportunities to integrate previous learning and continue the analysis, synthesis and integration of advanced theoretical principles and concepts related to leadership and advanced nursing practice. During the practicum, students are expected to contribute to their practicum agency through a negotiated, mutually satisfying project with a scholarly focus, while beginning to enact advanced nursing practice competencies. The scholarly project must be completed during the 160 hours and may take the form of a negotiated project or active planning and delivery in teaching / learning interventions for staff or patients / families or working with nursing staff and other expert health care team members to ensure that excellent nursing care is planned, provided, and evaluated. All practice scholarship must concentrate on leadership in addition to other relevant competencies of the advanced nursing practice role. Learners are expected to meet regularly with their preceptors throughout the term during work hours (Monday to Friday) and should expect to spend the majority of their time in the practice setting (with their preceptors or in other planned practicum activities) to ensure that they maximize learning about the advanced practice nurse role.
Site-Specific Information
Some placement locations have specific requirements for applications for placements as well as orientation materials to be completed prior to the first day of placement. Click here for more information.
Annual Flu Shot
It is strongly recommended students receive the influenza vaccine each year when the flu vaccine is available and to provide their placement agencies proof of vaccination upon request. Students who choose not to have an annual influenza vaccination should be aware they may be limited from clinical placements in some organizations without documentation of vaccination. Students must adhere to the influenza policies and outbreak protocols at their placement sites.
Chest X-Rays for Year 1 and Year 2 students
All students with a positive TB Skin Test are required to have a chest X-ray dated after the positive test or other positive history. Routine repeat chest X-rays are not required by the faculty. Students must also complete the “Tuberculosis Awareness, and Signs and Symptoms Self-Declaration Form”. Click here for further details for health and immunization forms.
Please Note: Students must adhere to the TB policies and protocols at their placement sites. This may include requirements for a routine chest X-ray prior to beginning their placements.
Ancillary Fees for Preceptor Honorariums (NP Students Only)
In some instances, an agency where placements occur prohibit NP preceptors and the agency to accept preceptor honorarium payments for NP student placements. If an MN-NP or PM-NP student has a placement with an agency that does not accept honorarium payments either to the preceptor or to the agency, the student may be eligible for a partial refund of their ancillary fees upon graduation. All requests should be made in writing and directed to our Faculty Registrar no later than December 31 of the year a student completed his/her last practicum placement.