The College creates Experiential Learning (EL) schedules in partnership with healthcare agencies and, therefore, does not have full control over the schedules, which are subject to multiple externalities. The College cannot guarantee the times, days, particular faculty, placement in a specific EL site, or geographic area for Direct Focused Client Care (DFCs) or integrative practicum (IP). Experiential learning may be scheduled during nights and weekends.

Regardless of their residence, learners may be required to travel to an assigned SOFE site(s) located anywhere in the United States, during any semester in which the learner is enrolled in a nursing course with a SOFE component. Travel may be scheduled at any time during the semester. Learners assigned to travel for their IP assignment will receive notification of their IP schedules two (2) to four (4) weeks prior to the tentative start date when site confirmation permits.  Notification is based on site confirmation of schedule availability, requirements, and learner capacity. Learners may enroll in only one (1) prelicensure nursing course with experiential learning components during any academic semester. Based on the requirements for the course in which they are enrolled, learners who must travel to their assigned site may be required to spend between four (4) to twenty-five (25) days in the assigned region.  Placements may include breaks between scheduled on-ground days. Learners who are not traveling for their DFC SOFE assignments may be required to spend one to two (1-2) days per week for up to eight (8) weeks at their assigned site. Learners who are not traveling for their IP SOFE assignments may be required to spend two to four (2-4) days per week for up to eight (8) weeks at their assigned site. 

Learners are responsible for transportation and lodging expenses associated with SOFE travel. However, the College will pay learners’ SOFE-related regular travel expenses if the following conditions are met:

• The learner matriculated into a prelicensure nursing program prior to Spring Semester 2023;
• The learner both resides within and was originally assigned to a specific SOFE area;
• The expenses were incurred during regular SOFE travel and were not incurred from a make-up session that was scheduled due to the learner’s absence from the previously scheduled SOFE session.

Learners may use the College’s contracted third-party travel vendor to make travel arrangements. Learners are encouraged to obtain traveler’s insurance to assist learners if an unforeseen event were to occur. Detailed information regarding the service will be provided during the semester in which travel is scheduled. Learners may not include travel costs on their learner account ledgers nor have these costs financed through the College. Specific SOFE area assignments are not guaranteed, and learners may be assigned anywhere within the United States.

Typically, no experiential learning activities are scheduled during the first week of an academic semester; however, facility-specific orientations and make-up experiential learning activities may be scheduled. Schedule Support will begin to distribute DFC schedules to learners during the third week of the academic semester. Learners assigned to travel for their DFC assignment will receive notification approximately one (1) month prior to the first day of the assigned DFC as site confirmation permits. Learners who are not traveling for their DFC assignment will receive notification approximately ten (10) days prior to the first day of the assigned DFC as site confirmation permits. For information about notification for rescheduled DFCs, see EL-DFC Absences During the Semester.