Clinical Placements and Learning

For Students

Transportation

Students are responsible for their own transportation to and from clinical sites, which may require travel. Students should consider travel requirements when planning educational expenses.

For Community Partners

The UM-Flint SON is committed to partnering with clinicians who are interested in giving back to the nursing profession or in advancing nursing education. The school values collaboration with those who wish to contribute to UM-Flint’s educational mission.

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Clinical Teaching Associates and Preceptors

Role of Clinical Teaching Associates and Preceptors

CTAs and preceptors serve as crucial links between theoretical knowledge and practical application for RN to BSN and advanced practice nursing students. CTAs and preceptors support students by teaching, coaching, evaluating and guiding them as they transition into clinical practice. Through these partnerships, students develop new skills, gain confidence and achieve validation in their practice.

Expectations of CTAs and Preceptors

To ensure a high-quality educational experience, CTAs and preceptors are expected to:

• Dedicate time and share expertise.
• Demonstrate professional behaviors and attitudes.
• Support and guide students while encouraging independence.
• Provide constructive and balanced feedback regularly.
• Tailor the clinical setting to the student’s learning goals and objectives.
• Foster reflective learning to help students benefit from clinical experiences.

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Becoming a Clinical Teaching Associates or Preceptors

If you are interested in becoming a clinical teaching associate or preceptor for the UM-Flint SON, you have the unique opportunity to mentor and shape the next generation of nurses.

Requirements

For BSN Pre-Licensure

Clinical faculty are interviewed and hired by the director of undergraduate nursing affairs.

Preceptors are selected by the health care facility and must hold a minimum Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree, have at least two years of experience as registered nurses, and have completed at least one year of practice on the unit where they will serve as preceptors.

RN to BSN

NUR 414 – CTA at the community site

A CTA for NUR 414 is a registered nurse working in the community health field with a BSN or higher. If the candidate is not a registered nurse or is not BSN-prepared, they must have more than 2,000 hours of experience in the community field and serve as a health care worker (such as social worker or case manager) or a non-health care worker (such as a principal, teacher, business owner or other expert on a specific population with which the student will be working).

NUR 424 – CTA at the community site

A CTA for NUR 424 is a registered nurse working in a leadership role within a health care agency with a BSN or higher. Alternatively, a candidate who is not a registered nurse or not BSN-prepared must have more than 2,000 hours of experience in a leadership role within a health care agency, such as director, manager or supervisor.

For Graduate Programs

• At least one year of full-time clinical practice.
• Nursing license in good standing in the state of practice. 
• Current certification if serving as a graduate program Advanced Practice Registered Nurse clinical preceptor.
• Site demonstrates values that align with the mission and values of the UM-Flint SON.
• Site offers appropriate learning experiences to meet course objectives.

Expectations for Graduate Preceptors

To ensure a high-quality learning experience, preceptors should be able to:

• Commit time and expertise.
• Model professional practice, attitudes and behaviors.
• Guide and teach students while promoting independence and self-directed learning.
• Provide frequent, balanced and constructive feedback.
• Structure the clinical experience to meet the learning goals and objectives of the student.
• Use reflection to help students learn from experiences.

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Contact for More Information

If you wish to become a clinical teaching associate or preceptor, please contact Laura Lovasco at  llovasco@umich.edu for more information.

Health Requirements for Student Clinical Experiences

All documentation will be on file with the University of Michigan-Flint School of Nursing’s appointed vendor. Vaccine information is based on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines for health care providers and/or state and federal requirements.

If a clinical site requests information beyond UM-Flint School of Nursing’s requirements, the site will need to obtain that information directly from the student or clinical faculty.

Health Requirement Details

Requirement	Description
Measles, Mumps, Rubella	Two doses or a positive titer for each component (measles, mumps and rubella). If a titer is negative, the student must begin the vaccine series to be considered temporarily compliant. Removal from the clinic may occur if the vaccination schedule is not followed.
Chickenpox	Two doses or a positive titer. If a titer is negative, begin the vaccine series for temporary compliance. Students will be removed from the clinic if the required schedule is not followed.
Hepatitis B	Three doses of hepatitis B, two doses of Heplisav-B or a positive titer. If titer is negative, the student must start the series for temporary compliance. Failure to follow the schedule will result in removal from the clinic.
Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis	One adult vaccine or a positive titer for each component. If a titer is negative, begin the vaccine series for temporary compliance. Noncompliance with the dose schedule results in removal from the clinic. A booster is required every 10 years.
Influenza	Annual vaccine required. The dose should be received late August and is due by Oct. 1. Students who do not receive the vaccine between August and October must receive it through April of the following year to stay current for courses in the summer term (May–August). Students may apply for a medical or religious exemption through the School of Nursing. Temporary medical exemptions (active illness, recent vaccination, pregnancy) require a planned future vaccination for compliance. Chronic medical exemptions (such as allergies) are approved indefinitely. Religious exemptions are also indefinite but require annual attestation of beliefs. Exemptions accepted by the School of Nursing may not be recognized at all clinical sites, affecting academic progress.
COVID-19	The university cannot require the COVID-19 vaccine per a 2025 executive order and will not issue exemptions. Clinical sites may require proof of COVID-19 vaccination and/or allow exemptions. Students are expected to follow clinical site procedures for COVID-19 requirements.
Tuberculosis Test	One negative PPD skin test or IGRA blood test is required. For those with a history of BCG immunization or a positive TB test, a chest X-ray is required every two years. Students with positive results are referred to public health authorities for clearance and possible treatment. If exposed to TB, students must provide proof of medical treatment according to recommended protocols, a negative chest X-ray and complete an annual risk assessment.
Physical Fitness Form	A completed form signed by a health care provider (MD, DO, PA, NP) verifies ability to perform essential nursing functions. Students also self-attest that, even with a fitness form on file, they are responsible for disclosing any serious underlying health condition to clinical faculty or partners in case of emergency (for example, diabetes or seizures). Each year, students must review the essential functions of a nurse and indicate if any health changes have occurred since the form was signed. Students seeking ADA accommodations should contact Disability and Accessibility Support Services at UM-Flint. Students must report any injury or significant health change to ensure safe clinical participation.
Health Insurance	Students must maintain health insurance and present proof of current coverage. If the student’s name is not on the card, documentation must be provided to confirm coverage.
Basic Life Support / Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation	Students must maintain a current American Heart Association BLS card for health care providers, valid for two years. Graduate students in the Adult Acute/Gero Concentration must hold a current Advanced Cardiac Life Support card. Graduate students in the Neonatal Concentration must have current neonatal resuscitation certification; both are valid for two years.
Registered Nurse License	A current unencumbered registered nurse license must be on file. Students must self-attest that their license is in good standing.
Background Check	A background check is conducted through American DataBank via Complio and includes county and statewide criminal checks, Social Security trace, nationwide criminal and exclusion searches (including OIG, GSA and OFAC), and sex offender results. Students must submit an annual disclosure statement acknowledging no new misdemeanors or felonies. A new background check is required each time a student changes programs (for example, RN to BSN or BSN to graduate programs).
Drug Screen	A 10-panel drug screen is conducted by American DataBank/Complio. Students must annually disclose that they have not used recreational or illegal drugs, or Schedule III or higher medications. The School of Nursing may request a drug test or random screen at any time. A new drug screen is required when changing academic programs.
Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act Training	Students must review training materials and complete an annual competency exam to receive a certificate. The certificate must include the student’s name, the type of training (including HIPAA), completion date and the name of the issuing company or health system.
Bloodborne Pathogens Training	Students must review training materials and complete an annual competency exam to receive a certificate. The certificate must include the student’s name, the training content (including BBP), completion date and the issuing company or health system.
Handbook Access	Students are required to review the School of Nursing handbook annually. Access is provided via a web link, and students must sign a form confirming access.