To ensure the best learning experience possible, every attempt is made to match students' learning needs with clinical opportunities. Because removing a student from a site can be confusing and emotional for all parties, sensitive and thoughtful decisions are required before making any change in placement. This outline informs students, faculty, seminar leaders, and clinical advisors of the process of changing a clinical site so that misunderstandings can be avoided and both the preceptor and site can be preserved for future students.

Summary

Students who have concerns or notice potential problems communicate with their faculty/course advisor. When a preceptor, student, or faculty advisor identifies a concern with a particular placement, an evaluation of the situation is conducted. This evaluation is a joint effort and must include input from the preceptor, faculty/course advisor, and the student before a site change is requested. Faculty and staff will then determine the required course of action. Meanwhile, students are encouraged to continue working with their preceptor.

Reasons for Requesting a Clinical Site Change

• preceptor/student incompatibility
• site exceeds students current skill level
• site doesn't meet course objectives
• limited preceptor availability
• student feels intimidated

Steps for Requesting a Clinical Site Change

1. Dialogue is initiated between the faculty/course advisor, student, and preceptor to clarify the issues. It is helpful for the student and preceptor to review the student's clinical objectives. Every attempt must be made to maintain the student in the current clinical site with hopes that ongoing dialogue will resolve issues.


2. The faculty/course advisor makes a site visit. Alternatively, the faculty/course advisor initiates a conversation with the preceptor. During these discussions the student will continue to attend the clinical site.


3. Faculty/course advisor, student, and preceptor will identify best course of action.


4. If, as a result of this process, a site change is needed and the student leaves a site prior to the end of the quarter, the faculty is responsible for contacting the preceptor to inform him/her of the change.


5. The faculty/course advisor will inform the Clinical Education Resources Program Coordinator of the final outcome so that our database can be updated.