Clinical vs. Practicum

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.

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.