DNP Clinical Experiences

Precepted clinical experiences are individually arranged by students. Students can complete clinical experiences in a local community with an approved preceptor and clinical site.  Students should be prepared to travel to a clinical site.  Students must also be prepared to work around the availability of the clinical site and preceptor.  Particular days and times for clinicals cannot be guaranteed.  Post-BSN DNP students will complete between 1,040 and 1,310 clinical hours upon graduation.  For plans of study prior to Fall 2012, each clinical course requires 135 precepted hours, which averages to nine hours per week.  For plans of study beginning in Fall 2012, clinical courses require 180 precepted hours (about 12 hours per week) and 270 precepted hours (about 18 hours per week.)  Students working full-time during the program should understand that time and priority must be devoted to clinicals.

For Post-MSN students, a minimum of 1,000 practicum hours are required upon graduation, including those precepted clinical hours earned during their MSN program.  A minimum of 300 precepted clinical hours will be required in the Post-MSN DNP plan of study.  Students entering the program with less than 640 precepted clinical hours from their MSN program will be required to obtain additional clinical hours during residency. 

Out-of-state students are responsible for contacting their state nursing board to verify any requirements that are needed in order to conduct clinicals as a student or apply for an APRN license in their state upon graduation from an online, out-of-state program.

Clinical specialty courses require an on-campus, intensive learning experience once a semester. Health assessment courses may require two on-campus sessions.  These sessions will take place at the MUSC Healthcare Simulation Center.  The 11,000 square-foot simulation center houses more than $900,000 in sophisticated simulation technology, including more than 50 advanced adult and infant simulators. The simulators are used to provide clinical training to nursing, medical and allied health students, as well as continuing education for practicing health care professionals. MUSC's center includes machines that simulate giving birth, an emergency room with four different patients (including trauma), cardiopulmonary resuscitation, an operating room environment, heart attacks and more.