What kind of clinicals are required for MSN?

[solneeshka, BSN, RN]

Starting to think about graduate school, which for me would be an RN-MSN (BA in non-nursing field). Can anyone clue me in as to what to expect in regard to clinical hours? Do you find your own preceptor, or do them as a class? Are the hours generally nursing-shift hours, or can you make your own arrangements? About how many hours a week are you in clinicals? Any info would be appreciated!

[llg, PhD, RN]

It all depends on the school ... and on the particular nursing specialty. For example, if you are studying to be a Nurse Practitioner, there will be a large clinical component focusing on patient care in the NP role. If you are getting an MSN in Nursing Education, you will do a different type of clinical that involves some sort of "student teaching" experience. If you are studying Nursing Administration, you will probably do some sort of preceptorship with an administrator.

There is no one right answer to your question.

[UVA Grad Nursing]

Since you are not a RN yet thinking of entering a Direct Entry program, your clinical experiences would be varied. First you would have clinical experiences to prepare you for your RN certification. These would be similar in content to those with ADN or BSN programs (but perhaps different in structure or schedule). Each school does these in different ways. My own University uses a Level I trauma center about 200 yards from the School of Nursing for all of the inpatient experiences. Another school nearby has students drive up to 75 miles in any direction for their clinical experiences.

The second phase to your clinicals would pertain to what your MSN is based in.

In most Direct Entry programs, students do the Phase I courses first and then the Phase II.