School of Nursing Graduate Nursing Program

Internship Planning Packet

for

NURSING EDUCATION INTERNSHIPS

Internship Course Numbers:NURS 603NURS 623NURS 633

Revised and updated August 28, 2017

Please review all materials in this document AFTER ADMISSION TO THE NURSING PROGRAM and PRIOR TO contacting the faculty member assigned to

teach your internship section!

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Table of ContentsProcedures for Notification of Intent to Enroll in Internships..................................................3

Obtain an Approved Program of Study/Course SequenceGeneral Guidelines for Planning InternshipsProcedures for Scheduling and Enrolling in Internships

Finalizing Plans for the Internships…………………………………………………………….7Finding a PreceptorContact Faculty Member Teaching the Internship SectionDocuments Required for Each InternshipRequired Documentation Submitted by FacultyFollow-up with Faculty Regarding Status of Submission/AgreementEnroll in Correct, Assigned SectionCurrent Clinical Requirements on FileRequired Preliminary MeetingsSign the Professional ContractNIU Nursing Photo ID Badge

Internship Planning Sheet: Nursing Education..........................................................................9Contact Information for Preceptor............................................................................................10Student's Curriculum Vitae (CV)..............................................................................................11Roles and Functions of Nurse Education Preceptors...............................................................13Student Responsibilities..............................................................................................................14Professionalism Contract............................................................................................................15Profile Form for Preceptors of Nursing Education Students..................................................16

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Procedures for Notification of Intent to Enroll in Internships

Planning for graduate internships should begin soon after admission to the graduate nursing program. To facilitate obtaining a qualified preceptor for your internship and to plan the number of internship sections and faculty needed each semester, each graduate nursing student must follow these guidelines.

Obtain an Approved Program of Study/Course Sequence

The first step is to obtain an approved program of study/course sequence for all required courses in your specialization early in the first semester that you were admitted to NIU. Meet the Graduate Advisor to obtain approval. After final approval from the Director of Nursing Graduate Studies, you will be sent an electronic copy of your plan for your files. The electronic copy will be sent to your NIU email address. Any changes to the approved plan, must be resubmitted for approval. Re-tracking of internships will be done based on availability of space.

General Guidelines for Planning Internships

The graduate nursing faculty strongly recommend that you:

Balance the hours you work for an outside employer so that you can meet the requirements for the internship. You need to plan on a MINIMUM of 9 hours of time in direct internship activities each week. This does not include preparation time, required weekly documentation time, or time to complete internship-related assignments.

Take only one other required course in your program of study during the semesters when you are enrolled in internships.

Try to diversify your internship experiences so that you work with a different preceptor in each internship and teach in different programs: BS, Associate degree, or Faculty Development.

Requests for exceptions to these recommendations must be made in writing and sent to the Director of Nursing Graduate Studies who will submit for review and a recommendation to the Nursing Education Graduate Faculty. Exceptions are made only for unique, extenuating circumstances.

Please read the Internship Course Syllabi included in this packet. For each internship course, 134 hours are required in direct internship activities related to the role of nurse educator. In addition, 10 hours will be scheduled for REQUIRED internship seminars with students and faculty in your internship section.

Procedures for Scheduling and Enrolling in Internships, Revised February 2015

Effective Immediately (February 6, 2015): All graduate nursing students will be scheduled for internships when they obtain an approved plan of study/course sequence for the graduate specialization to which they were admitted. As soon as your plan of study (this is an official

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document and must have actual signatures) is submitted, signed and dated by you, the Graduate Advisor, and the Director of Nursing Graduate Studies, you will be “scheduled” for all internships in the semesters on your approved plan.

This means you will no longer need to notify Connie Uhlken, the Nursing Program Coordinator, of intent to enroll in a nursing internship one year prior to taking a first internship.

However, it is mandated that you contact the Graduate Internship Preceptor Coordinator, Ms. Lindsey Munguia (LindseyMunguia@niu.edu), one year prior to each internship (as outlined on the table of deadlines below)! If you do not meet these deadlines and do not contact Ms. Munguia to obtain a referral to a preceptor, you will be notified that your planned internship is cancelled and that you will need to resubmit a plan of study for approval. NOTE: Your internships will be rescheduled on a space available basis.

The procedural steps are as follows:

1. After admission to a specialization in the graduate nursing program, meet with the Graduate Advisor to plan your program of study.

2. Obtain approval for this plan by signing and dating the form and then requesting a signature from the Graduate Advisor. The Graduate Advisor will submit the signed and dated form to the Director of Graduate Nursing Studies.

3. If approved, your plan of study will be returned to you electronically as a pdf document. Please allow sufficient time for approval and return of the document. This will usually occur approximately the 1st and 15th of the month after the plan was submitted to the Director.

For example, if the Graduate Advisor submits your plan to the Director on the 20th

of a month, you should receive the electronic copy in your NIU Email by the 1st of the subsequent month.

If the plan is submitted to the Director on the 2nd of a month, you should receive the electronic copy in your NIU Email by the 15th of that same month.

4. If your plan of study changes for any reason, you will need to meet with the Graduate Advisor to devise a new plan and to gain approvals. NOTE: Your internships will be rescheduled on a space available basis.

5. Deadlines for contacting Ms. Munguia by EMAIL (LindseyMunguia@niu.edu) to receive a preceptor assignment ONE YEAR PRIOR TO EACH INTERNSHIP are as follows:

September 1 – November 1 for Fall Internships January 1 – March 1 for Spring Internships June 1 – August 15 for Summer Internships

NOTE: If you do not contact Ms. Munguia by email (LindseyMunguia@niu.edu) during the above periods of time, you will be required to retrack your internships on a space available basis.

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Additional NOTE: Read through the entire internship planning packet for your specialization PRIOR TO contacting Ms. Munguia.

6. Every effort will be made to locate an internship site and qualified preceptor for those students who adhere to the deadlines, although circumstances beyond the control of the nursing program may result in being unable to located an internship site and qualified preceptor for some students.  Internship sites may be located anywhere in Illinois.  Students who decline an internship site because of location may need to be re-tracked.  

7. For each internship, you must also contact the faculty member assigned to teach the internship by deadlines outlined in the table below.

Contact the faculty member by EMAIL to introduce yourself and to request information about how the faculty member wants you to submit the required documents for your internship.

Required documents are: o Personal learning objectives o Curriculum vitae (CV) o Internship-related information including contact information for your

preceptoro IDFPR license report for the preceptor (go to the IDFPR license look-up

website -- https://www.idfpr.com/LicenseLookUp/LicenseLookup.asp -- and print the detailed report).

You might also need to submit a Profile Form for your preceptor; the faculty teaching the internship will advise if there is a need for this document.

Documents must be submitted and revised by the deadline dates in the table below. The assigned faculty teaching the internship gives final approval to your internship

materials; faculty approval is required prior to your enrollment in each internship. You must communicate directly with the faculty member and not with the nursing

office staff regarding processing of these materials. Failure of the student to meet the posted deadlines will result in the need to

retrack the internship for a later semester by submitting a new and approved plan of study. You will be retracked on a space available basis.

Any questions regarding this procedure may be directed to Ms. Pamela Taylor (ptaylor@niu.edu) or Ms. Lindsey Munguia (LindseyMunguia@niu.edu).

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Important Deadlines Related to Internships

(NOTE: Failure of the student to meet deadlines will result in a requirement to retrack and reschedule the internship)

Content Area Fall Internship

Spring Internship

Summer Internship

Assignment to a preceptor: Contact by EMAIL one year in advance of EACH internship

September 1 – November 1

January 1 – March 1

June 1 – August 15

Notify students of internship section and faculty who will be teaching that section March 1 - 10 October 1 -

10 March 1 - 10

Student to CONTACT faculty by EMAIL about paperwork March 15 October 15 March 15

Student to submit required paperwork to faculty March 31 October 31 March 31

Paperwork revised by student based on faculty feedback April 15 November 15 April 15

Office staff to send request for preceptor agreement with student’s documents No Later

Than May 1

No Later Than

December 1

No Later Than May 1

Receipt of preceptor agreement, preceptor’s license and CV/resume*

Friday of first week of classes

Friday of first week of classes

Friday of first week of classes

Faculty review preceptor’s documents Prior to student’s internship activities

Prior to student’s internship activities

Prior to student’s internship activities

* All Preceptor agreements/documents must be on file PRIOR TO student beginning internship activities

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Finalizing Plans for the Internships

1. Finding a Preceptor: This process should be initiated one year in advance of each internship (See Deadlines). Contact the Internship Preceptor Coordinator Ms. Lindsey Munguia (LindseyMunguia@niu.edu) by EMAIL to obtain a preceptor. Use your NIU Email address; personal addresses might be rejected as SPAM. Do NOT contact any potential preceptor without first talking to Ms. Munguia. Also, report back to Ms. Munguia regarding your contact within the timeframe that she gives you. Reporting back to the coordinator is required; failure to report back will result in retracking of your internship.

a. Preceptor Qualifications: The student is placed in a setting with an experienced nurse educator who is educationally prepared with a minimum of a Master’s degree in Nursing. In addition, preceptors should have been in the teaching role for about two years and should have taught the course you will be involved in for at least one year.

b. A student may have no more than two preceptors located in the same educational institution within any given internship. A preceptor agreement is required from EACH preceptor,

c. The internship setting must be located in Illinois. Students may not do their internship in the same physical setting in which they are currently employed or have been employed during the previous 24 months.

d. If the student would like to use a specific preceptor, that student MUST notify the Internship Preceptor Coordinator before contacting any potential preceptor. Failure to follow this guideline will result in retracking of the internship. Some sites have coordinators who will identify the preceptor. Until approved, students should not contact faculty directly in settings with a coordinator.

e. The school maintains a list of known preceptors in Illinois. The nursing program’s Internship Preceptor Coordinator will refer the student to qualified preceptors for the internship experience. When contacting the Internship Coordinator by e-mail, students should provide their full name, zID, course number and semester for the internship as well as the graduate tract in which they are enrolled.

2. Contact Faculty Member Teaching the Internship Section: You must contact the faculty member assigned to teach your internship section by EMAIL and by the published deadlines (see Important Deadline table, p. 7). The purpose of this contact is to introduce yourself as a student and to ask the faculty’s preferences for submitting required internship documents.

3. Documents Required for Each Internship: The Internship Planning Sheet: Nursing Education Internship Objectives and Sub-objectives The Contact Information for the Preceptor (for letter that will be sent to Preceptor)

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Student’s Curriculum Vitae (CV) in the format provided IDFPR license report (detailed report) for each preceptor

4. Follow the guidelines for completing and submitting your internship documents to your assigned faculty member. Adhere to published deadlines; failure to meet deadlines will result in retracking of the internship. The faculty member will submit your approved documents to the nursing office staff for processing and sending out to your preceptor. Students are not to submit documents to office staff directly.

5. Communicate with your assigned faculty member about the status of your documents and agreements returned by your preceptor.

6. Follow up with your preceptor to obtain documents or the agreement form as requested by your faculty member. Complete a Preceptor Profile Form for each preceptor (per faculty’s instruction if it is not on file)

7. Enroll in the correct, assigned section of your internship when enrollment opens in MyNIU.

8. Be certain that you submit any required documentation of having met clinical requirements prior to the July 1 deadline and according to the current Clinical Requirement Policy for Graduate Nursing Students that is published on the Nursing website. In even numbered years, you must submit your renewed RN license! You will not be able to continue your enrollment in the internship if these documents are not current and on file.

9. Prepare for and attend any required preliminary meetings of your internship section and all meetings during the semester when enrolled in the internship.

10. Sign the Professional Contract and submit to your internship faculty member during the first week of classes when enrolled in the internship.

11. Wear NIU Nursing Photo ID Badge during all your internship activities. If you need a badge, contact the nursing office, 815.753.1231, to make arrangements. The office is open 8:30 – 4:00 PM Monday through Friday.

ENJOY THE INTERNSHIP!!!!

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Northern Illinois UniversitySchool of Nursing and Health Studies

INTERNSHIP PLANNING SHEET: NURSING EDUCATION

INTERNSHIP IN WHICH YOU ARE ENROLLING: _____ NURS 603 _____NURS 623 ______ NURS 633

NAME: Z-ID :

ADDRESS:

TELEPHONE: ____________________________(HOME)____________________________(WORK)____________________________ (CELL)

NIU E-mail:

Career Goals-

Behavioral Objectives- (What you hope to accomplish during this internship. Minimum of 6) Use the course objectives as a basis and word the objectives in appropriate language and context using Bloom’s taxonomy.

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Northern Illinois UniversitySchool of Nursing and Health Studies

Graduate Nursing Internships

Contact Information for the Preceptor

Instructions: Each student should type and submit the following information in the table provided; check for accurate spelling of the preceptor’s name (see IDFPR report). Faculty members teaching internships will review and ensure that the information is complete and accurate. This information is used to send information to each preceptor. If inaccurate, preceptor agreements/final approval and internship activities may be delayed.

Try to obtain all the requested information and insert into the left column. Use the smaller right column to check the preceptor’s preferred method of contact (e.g., USPS, phone, email, FAX, etc.)

Type Requested Information in Each Cell Below Check Preceptor’s Preferred Method of

Contact Course Number and Section Number:

Preceptor’s Name, Credentials:

Preceptor’s Professional Title:

Preceptor’s Mailing Address (complete as applicable) - Healthcare Organization/Institution Name; Attention to: [insert name/title of office manager, etc.]; Street and number; Apt/Office #;City, State Zip)

Preceptor’s Phone Number:

Preceptor’s FAX Number:

Preceptor’s Email Address:

Student’s Name with Correct Spelling:

Revised 10/7/14 jeh

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NORTHERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITYSchool of Nursing

STUDENT’S CURRICULUM VITAE (CV)Name

AddressCity, State ZIP Code

Home/Cell telephone # (include area code)Work telephone # (include area code)

Student Z-ID #

NOTE: Please follow this template.

EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND:

School Dates Attended Degree

List most recent first and include School’s name, City and StateInclude major or specialty, if any

EMPLOYMENT:

Agency and Dates Position and Responsibilities

Include Agency, City, State

SPECIAL SKILLS AND/OR STRENGTHS:

List certifications, special skills, etc.

CONTINUING EDUCATION DURING THE LAST 3 YEARS IN AREA OF SPECIALIZATION:

Program Title Sponsor Date(s)

List most recent first and include City and State where program was held

PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES:

List memberships, committees, awards, publications, and presentations/speeches with dates

GRADUATE COURSES COMPLETED:Department (e.g., NURS, ETR) Course # Course Title

List all courses that will be taken prior to the internship

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GRADUATE COURSES TO BE TAKEN CONCURRENTLY WITH INTERNSHIPDepartment (e.g., NURS, ETR) Course # Course Title

List all courses including Thesis and Graduate/Research Assistantships

PROFESSIONAL GOALS:

Brief statement indicating post-graduate and long-term plans.

If any years are not accounted for by educational background or employment, please add a note to explain.

Student CV 7-16-06; Rev 3/10/14

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ROLES AND FUNCTIONS OF NURSING EDUCATION PRECEPTORS

The role of the preceptor is to create an environment that is supportive, challenging, non-threatening, and that fosters the student’s inquiry into nursing education. Within the setting, the preceptor facilitates a student’s ability to think through teaching situations, reflect upon these situations, develop and apply knowledge, and practice skills as a nurse educator. It is anticipated that the preceptor will facilitate the student’s ability to teach independently.

Preceptors guide the student’s application of teaching-learning principles by structuring a learning environment that enables the student to: a) demonstrate teaching skills with groups and individuals; b) plan and implement evaluation of learning, and c) explore diverse aspects of the nurse educator’s role.

Guidance activities may include:

Enabling independent teaching experiences. Evaluating the intern’s teaching skills and providing timely feedback. Providing insights related to nursing education and teaching-learning processes. Sharing personal philosophy of teaching with the intern. Promoting creative approaches and teaching strategies to problem-solve in the

educational setting. Directing the intern to teaching resources. Facilitating networking with other nurse educators some of whom may be from

different settings, types of educational programs, or professional organizations. Serving as a role model as an expert nurse educator. Providing opportunities for the intern to collaborate with other nurse educators

individually and via committees. Communicating the progress of the nursing education intern at the midterm and

final conference with Northern Illinois University School of Nursing faculty. If there are problems or issues with the intern, the faculty member needs to be contacted as soon as possible.

Facilitating the intern’s achievement of personal learning goals.

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STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES

All students are expected to:

1. Be prepared for and actively participate in the teaching-learning process during the internship.

2. Set up an orientation time with your preceptor(s) prior to the beginning of the semester before the internship begins. The initial time spent in orienting to a setting and negotiating with preceptors is not considered part of internship hours

3. Establish with your preceptor the expected dress and behaviors for the setting. Clarify with your preceptor exactly what type of dress, identification, and equipment are needed for the setting. Expectations include hair length, amount of jewelry, nail length, etc.

4. Clarify with your preceptor if any curricular materials should be reviewed prior to the internship, e.g., conceptual framework, student catalog, etc.

5. Negotiate days and hours for the internship experience with the preceptor. After the times are established, they are to be reported to the faculty teaching the course. This enables faculty to begin planning observational visits and other times for interacting during the internship experience. Remember that preceptors are “donating” their time and, therefore, their schedules should be accommodated.

6. Negotiate with the preceptor how the internship will proceed.

7. Keep the preceptor and internship faculty apprised of your plans for the internship including communicating your learning needs to the preceptor and faculty.

8. Keep a log of internship experiences. This log will identify the types of experience you have had as well as your critical thinking and reflection regarding the experience.

9. Realistically self-evaluate your progress in the internship and identify personal strengths as well as areas for improvement.

10. Extend the highest level of professional courtesy to your preceptor (be on time, respect input and critiques, not arguing or becoming defensive with preceptor).

11. Utilize preceptors as a resource who has a knowledge base and expertise that can facilitate your development as a nurse educator.

12. Be open to constructive criticism and feedback regarding your teaching skills.

13. Interact with faculty and peers regarding clinical experiences.

Nursing education student internship responsibilities, 7/16/06, Rev. 9-18-06, 3/2/11

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Northern Illinois UniversityStandards for Graduate Nursing Students

PROFESSIONALISM CONTRACTProfessional Role ‐ The student conducts self as a professional role model at all times and in compliance with Standards of Practice Relative to Registered Nurses (OAC Chapter 4723‐4) and the ANA Code of Ethics for Nurses with Interpretive Statements (http://nursingworld.org/MainMenuCategories/EthicsStandards/CodeofEthicsforNurses).

I have read, understand, and will adhere to the NIU Standards for Graduate Nursing Students, regarding professional conduct, dress and attitude that includes, but is not limited to:

Keeping informed by professional, legal and ethical responsibilities and policies. Engaging in clinical internship and didactic course work that is enhanced by a reflective,

collaborative, professional growth-centered culturally sensitive practice. Adhering to school and, if applicable, internship standards of professional dress. Conducting self ethically and professionally at all times. Working productively and cooperatively; being on time and in attendance when required

and submitting complete assignments promptly. Ensuring that all forms of communication will be rendered in a professional manner and

in keeping with HIPAA guidelines. Assuming personal responsibility for ones own performance. Displaying initiative by using resources appropriately. Initiating personal growth in clinical internship area(s), didactic classes, and/or

instructional practices; including establishing goals for professional improvement. Inviting faculty and preceptor feedback and adjusting behavior and actions based on

feedback. Demonstrating respect for patients, preceptors, other students, faculty and administration.

I understand that the consequences for failing to comply with these expectations may include, but are not limited to, dismissal from the program, dismissal from the university, probation, removal from the internship, postponement of the internship, low internship performance ratings, or an unsatisfactory internship grade.

My signature below acknowledges that I have read, understand, and will adhere to the Standards and that I fully understand the consequences for failing to meet any of those expectations. I also acknowledge my responsibility in fully understanding all expectations and corresponding policies, rules, laws, and regulations.

__________________________________________________________________________ Print Name & ZID#

________________________________________________________/______________ Signature/Date

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Profile Form for Preceptors of Nursing Education Students

This form is to be used if a curriculum vita is not available from a preceptor for a proposed internship. The student must complete and submit this form to the internship faculty member, or the student will not be allowed to start the internship. This is a Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) requirement.

Date (Valid for 2 years; update in even number years):____________________________________

Preceptor’s Name & Credentials:____________________________________________________

Position Title: ________________________________________________________________________

Educational Institution, Terminal/Highest Level Degree & Year:______________________________

Years of Practice in Nursing Education: _______________________________________________

Years Teaching Course that will be taught with Student Intern: __________________________________

Current Employer/Practice Name & Address:____________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

Educational specialization in nursing (at master’s degree or higher):___________________________

Number of students supervised concurrently:____________________________________________

Name & title of person completing form (print)___________________________________________

Signature of person completing form_________________________________________________

10/8/14 jeh

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