St.

Paul University Philippines

Tuguegarao City, Cagayan 3500

GRADUATE SCHOOL

Master of Science in Nursing

MASTER OF ARTS IN NURSING

PRACTICUM DESCRIPTION

This course deals with field experiences in nursing practice that provides
application of knowledge, skills and attitude on nursing administration,
administration
leadership, advance nursing practice in service or education and service. Under
the guidance of an approved preceptor, the course provides the student with
the opportunity to integrate management th theory
eory into the role of nurse
administrator/executive. Student focus is on nursing management processes
in a school of nursing or healthcare systems.

PRACTICUM LEARNING OUTCOMES

At the end of the practicum, the students should be able to:

• Demonstrate proficiency in utilizing and integrating leadership roles and

management process in the delivery of his/her task as advance nurse
practitioner, leader, as a Nurse Administrator in the school and hospital
settings.

• Exhibit ability to collaborate and communi

communicate
cate with other members of
the organization.

• Work in partnership with the nursing service personnel of a hospital in

monitoring and ensuring quality health care practices, career
development and professional responsibilities.

• Work in partnership with the n

nursing
ursing education personnel of a school in
monitoring and ensuring quality teaching and learning, career
development and professional responsibilities.
PRACTICUM GUIDELINES

General Information

The practicum takes place in hospitals or higher educational institutions

where the student is paired up with a preceptor, who provides guidance to
enhance the learning experiences of a graduate school student on a one-to-one
basis for a specified time approved by the Nursing Faculty of the Graduate
School.

The student fulfills 200 hours clinical or 100 hours required per nursing
education administration practicum and 100 hours required per nursing
service administration practicum. The scheduled practicum hours are mutually
agreed upon by the preceptor and the student. It is strongly enforced that the
students do not use their work agency as a practicum site to avoid any conflict
or role confusion.

Attendance: The student is to arrive in the practicum site in sufficient time to

prepare for the day’s activities and is expected to remain in the practicum site
until relieved by the preceptor. In cases where the student may be absent due
to illness or an emergency, the student should inform the preceptor and the
practicum adviser. Make-up hours can be arranged with the practicum adviser
and preceptor.

Dress Code: When in practicum site, each student must maintain

professionalism in appearance and demeanor. Students on practicum must
wear white lab coat or blazer with the SPUP student ID.

Agency Policies and Procedures: While undergoing practicum, the student is

expected to follow policies and procedures of the practicum sites—hospital or
higher education institution.

Evaluation: An evaluation of the student and preceptor experience are

required at the end of the practicum. The preceptor provides a summary
evaluation of the student’s performance at the end of the practicum.
Student Responsibilities

1. Submits a letter of intent to the Dean of the Graduate School noted by

the Practicum Adviser.

2. Review and enrich the developed practicum proposal with objectives and
submits it to the Practicum Adviser and Preceptor.

3. Ensures an up-to-date portfolio of his field experience.

4. Selects an appropriate practicum site and preceptor, which is subject to

approval of the practicum adviser. The practicum site must be accredited
and licensed by appropriate agencies; for example the Commission on
Higher Education (CHED) for academic institutions or Department of
Health (DOH) for health care agencies.

5. Personally coordinates and submits letter of intent for the intended

practicum to the chosen hospital/higher education institution.

6. Complies with the rules and regulations, policies, and procedures of the
practicum facility. The student’s appearance and attire should reflect
professional standards and to be properly identified at all times.

7. Prepares by reading current literature that will assist in achieving the

outcomes of the practicum.

8. Participates in orientation activities at the facility as directed by the

preceptor.

PRACTICUM REQUIREMENTS AND EVALUATION

1. Daily time record signed by the preceptor. (10%)

2. Enriched Practicum Proposal (15%)

Guidelines in enriching the Practicum Proposal:

• The plan should be detailed and specific.

• Objectives should be measurable, achievable within the time frame
for the practicum.
• Activities must reflect a step-by step process/ actions to meet the
objectives.
• The proposal must be written from the perspective of the student, not
the organization or the client.
 • The enriched practicum proposal with the evaluation tool must be
submitted before the start of the practicum to the preceptor and
practicum adviser.

3. Preceptor’s Evaluation of the Student’s Practicum Experience (40%)

4. Reflective Journal to be submitted to the practicum adviser (10%)

• The purpose of the daily journal is to identify activities, issues or

problems that have occurred during each week of the practicum.
Self-evaluation and personal responses to the practicum experiences
are to be included.

5. Assignments to be submitted to the practicum adviser (15%)

6. Portfolio Development to be submitted to the practicum adviser(10%)

• Construct and develop a portfolio containing practicum program

guide, letters, daily time record, practicum proposal, reflective
journals, assignments and other documents which demonstrate
achievement of the nursing administration competencies.
Preceptor Qualifications and Roles/Responsibilities

The services and cooperation of Nursing Directors/ Chief Nurses/Head

Nurses of hospitals, senior nurses or Deans/Coordinators of colleges of nursing
as preceptor for the Nursing Administration, leadership and clinical Practicum
are highly appreciated. Preceptors have unique opportunity to share their
knowledge, skills and attitudes with the students who have limited experience
in nursing administration. Preceptors are the expert and have the opportunity
to facilitate student learning about their professional practice setting.

Qualifications: The preceptor must have a Master’s degree in nursing from an

accredited university, current registered nurse license, practicing in a nursing
administrator role for at least one year, and employed in a setting that provides
experiences contributing to the development of nursing management and
leadership skills, and willing to share experiences and professional values,
beliefs and skills with student.

Roles/Responsibilities of the Preceptor: The nursing administrators/senior

nurses/clinicians chosen as preceptor shall serve in various roles during the
practicum in assisting the student attain expected learning outcomes.
Preceptor roles include being a leader, supervisor, manager, educator, coach,
mentor, communicator, change agent, facilitator, resource person, etc.

As the preceptor, they will

1. Facilitate the accomplishment of student learning outcomes.

2. Provide an orientation for the student which includes institutional

policies and procedures.

3. Serve as a role model for the student. A role model

a. Allows the student to see and experience what the preceptor, in the
role of expert, does on a daily basis while encouraging the student
to ask questions.

b. Challenges, guides, and directs students in their learning

experiences.

Basic and essential to this teaching-learning process is the preceptor’s

willingness to share professional values, beliefs, and skills while incorporating
ethical and professional practice standards. While the student is a professional
nurse, he/she is new or unfamiliar with the preceptor’s area of practice. This is
therefore an opportunity for the preceptor to share his/her knowledge to the
student—working closely together while providing interesting and challenging
opportunities.

Preceptor and Student Interaction

Students work to complete the requirements in the practicum by

observing successful nursing administrators in the field (school/hospital) and
talking with them about their work.

Activities may include:

• Observation of preceptor’s interaction with staff and members of a school

of nursing or the healthcare team.
• Discussions with preceptor
• Attending meetings with preceptor
• Interactions and meetings with other staff
• Participation in professional meetings, councils, or other professional
events related to nursing education or service administration
• Other meetings which are approved by preceptor.
 St. Paul University Philippines
Tuguegarao City, Cagayan 3500

Master of Arts in Nursing

PRACTICUM PROPOSAL

FOR NURSING
G SERVICE ADMINISTRATION

Objectives Proposed Learning Time Resources

Activities Frame

1. Describe the set up
Conduct courtesy
1 day
Nursing

and organizational call with the Service
structure of the Nursing Service Director
hospital. Director (preceptor)
for Orientation

2. Define the roles and
Review of the
1 day
Job

responsibilities of a manual of policies Description
nursing service and procedures Manual
administrator.
Review job
Nursing
description of the Service
Nursing Service Policy
Director Manual

3. Familiarize with the
Review Strategic
1 day
Nursing

strategic plan of the Plan made by the Service
institution in the Nursing Service Strategic
delivery of nursing department of the Plan
care. institution

4. Establish a
Attend/Observe
Whole
Nursing

harmonious and unit meetings and duration Service Staff
collegial relationship familiarize self with of duty
Nursing
among nursing hospital personnel. Audit Team
service team for
Patient’s
efficient, effective Chart
and safe client care.

5. Coordinate with the
Attend/Observe
Whole
Nursing

nursing clinical rounds and duration Administra-
management team endorsement. of duty tor and
in the
Participate in the Supervisors,
implementation of clinical audit. and Nursing
 nursing care Service Staff
management.

6. Apply leadership
Attend/Observe
Whole
Nursing

and management Nursing duration Service
principles to ensure Administrative of duty Administra-
a complete, accurate meetings. tor and
and current
Assist/Observe Supervisors
documentation of Supervisor in the
activities and accomplishment of
outcomes of daily nursing
managing a nursing report.
service.

7. Work in partnership
Observe nursing
Whole
Nursing

with nursing supervisor in duration Service
management to making decision in of Duty Administra-
ensure adequate client care and tor,
resources (human Nursing unit Supervisors
and material) to management.
effectively implement
Observe/Assist
Nursing
services based on Nursing Director / Service
institutional Nurse Supervisors Administra-
requirement ratio in making daily tor,
and standard. staffing plan. Supervisors

Observe/Assist and Staff
Nursing director / development
Nurse Supervisor in Officer
random checking or
reviewing Nursing
unit fixed assets.

8. Enhance skill in
Attend and observe
Whole
Nursing

communication and in Hospital duration Service
collaboration with Administrative of Duty Administra-
other members of meetings. tor,
the health care team
Assist the Nursing Supervisors
to sustain Director to draft and Human
functionality of memos, letters and Resource
nursing service. circulars. Officer

9. Enrich critical
Observe decision
Whole

thinking and making and critical duration
decision making skill thinking processes of Duty
 in order to respond of the nursing
and deal with variety managers.
of situation involving
clinical care
processes.

10. Develop coaching
Observe Nursing
Whole
Nursing

and mentoring Director / Nurse duration Service
abilities necessary Supervisor in of Duty Administra-
for effective counseling nursing tor,
administration of staff. Supervisors
nursing service in
Participate/Observe and Human
nursing units. in the conduct of Resource
general service Officer
meeting.

Participate/Observe
in Staff
Development
training programs.

11. Demonstrate
Assist/Observe
Whole
Nursing

understanding of Nursing Supervisor duration Service
recruitment, hiring, in hiring of Duty Administra-
retention and recruitment, tor,
promotion process to selection and Supervisors
ensure adequate promotion of and Human
nursing human Nursing Service Resource
resource. Staff. Officer

Observe Nursing
Director in
conducting
performance
appraisal and
counseling staff.
 St. Paul University Philippines
Tuguegarao City, Cagayan 3500

PRACTICUM EVALUATION

Name of Student: _____________________

____________________________________ Date: ____________
_

Grading Rubric:
5 = Very Positive 3 = Positive 1 = Too Often Negative

4 = Fairly Positive 2 = Occasionally Negative

Criteria 1 2 3 4 5
Arrives on time and initiates scheduled practicum activities
promptly.
Exhibits overall appearance suitable according to the
standards of the workplace.
Displays effective communication skills
skills.

Demonstrates a collaborative relationship with other nursing

staff.
Shares opinions and elicits information in a professional
manner.
Demonstrates an understanding of regulations, policies and
procedures of organization.
Exhibits a spirit of inquiry about management and
leadership.
Functions effectively in the nursing management
environment.
Shows commitment to the practicum experience.

Meets objectives agreed to during entire practicum

experience.

Preceptor’s Comments:

______________________________________________________________________________

PRECEPTOR’S NAME AND SIGNATURE ______________________________________

______________________________
DATE ________________________________
 St. Paul University Philippines
Tuguegarao City, Cagayan 3500

PRACTICUM PROGRAM EVALUATION BY PRECEPTOR

Instructions: Circle the selected response for each item using the scale below.

1=Strongly 2=Disagree
=Disagree 3=Agree 4=Strongly
=Strongly Agree
Disagree

1. The practicum handbook adequately oriented me to the 1 2 3 4

requirements, and expected roles and responsibilities for
this experience.

Comments:

2. The practicum adviser was available for questions and 1 2 3 4

concerns during this experience.

Comments:

3. The practicum experience was well planned and 1 2 3 4

implemented and met my expectations.

Comments:

4. The time commitment to serve as a preceptor was 1 2 3 4

reasonable.

Comments:

5. I would be willing to serve as a preceptor in the future. 1 2 3 4

Comments:
 St. Paul University Philippines
Tuguegarao City, Cagayan

GRADUATE SCHOOL

Acknowledgement of Preceptorship and Practicum Guidelines as

Described in the Graduate Nursing Practicum Manual

I agree to serve as a preceptor for a Master of Arts in Nursing Graduate Student

from St. Paul University Philippines for the practicum in Nursing
Administration in our agency/institution. I have received the practicum
manual that will serve as guide while the student is doing practicum under my
preceptorship.

Name of Preceptor:

Signature of Preceptor:

Name of Agency/Institution:

Address of Agency/Institution:

Date: