Clinical vs. Practicum

[Lisa2.0]

What is the difference between a Clinical and a Practicum?

[Double-Helix, BSN, RN]

A Practicum usually refers to a clinical rotation on a single unit where the student may be working 1 on 1 with an RN preceptor (not a clinical instructor). Clinical rotations are usually completed with a group of other students and facilitated by a clinical instructor, not a precepting RN who works on the unit. Students may rotate through various units or areas of a unit during a clinical (For example, a pediatric clinical may include time on the floor, in the PICU and NICU.) Clinical allow students to get a feel for and learn the basic components of each area of nursing. In a practicum, the student usually remains in the same area with the same nurse for the duration. It is a more in-depth, hands on learning experience that allows a student nurse to gain experience providing full nursing care to multiple patients under the direct supervision of an RN.

[HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD]

In reality, the terms may be used interchangeably. In any type of applied course (welding, horseshoeing, dog grooming, etc.) "Practicum" usually denotes the portion of the course that is hands-on in a real or simulated environment.