This section of the Catalog has been changed since its original publication. Please see Fall Addendum 5 to view the changes.

The College creates Experiential Learning (EL) schedules in partnership with healthcare agencies and, therefore does not have complete control over the schedules, which are subject to multiple external factors. With the exception of PN and ASN learners, learners may enroll in only one (1) prelicensure nursing course with experiential learning components during any academic semester. The College cannot guarantee the times, days, particular faculty, placement in a specific EL site, or geographic area for Direct Focused Client Care (DFC) 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. 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.

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 are encouraged to obtain traveler’s insurance to assist learners if an unforeseen event were to occur. 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. 

DFC Schedules

Schedule Support will begin to distribute DFC schedules to learners during the third week of the academic semester or after the facility has approved the DFC assignment. The initial stages of credentialing compliance for DFC assignments will be found in the EL Portal.  Learners assigned to travel for their DFC assignment will receive notification of their DFC’s location and schedule approximately one (1) month prior to the first day of the assigned DFC as site confirmation permits. Learners must stay up to date with site and/or compliance requirement changes in the EL Portal and defer to the EL Portal for their assigned DFC schedule. Learners who are not traveling for their DFC assignment will receive notification of their DFC's location and schedule approximately ten (10) days before the first day of the assigned DFC as site confirmation permits. 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 or four (4) days for one (1) week at their assigned site. 

Placements may include breaks between scheduled on-ground days. For information about notification for rescheduled DFCs, see EL-DFC Absences During the Semester.

IP Schedules

Learners assigned to travel for an Integrative Practicum (IP) placement will be notified of their IP schedules two (2) to four (4) weeks prior to the tentative placement start date, subject to site confirmation. Notification is contingent upon confirmation of site availability, site requirements, preceptor participation, and learner capacity.

Based on the requirements of the course in which the learner is enrolled, learners who are required to travel to their assigned IP placement site may be required to complete between three (3) and six (6) weeks in the assigned region during the placement period.

Learners who are not required to travel may be required to attend their assigned site for two (2) to four (4) days per week for a period of up to eight (8) weeks, as determined by course requirements, site expectations, and preceptor availability.
 
Note: Learners will be assigned only one (1) IP placement per semester. Upon placement assignment, learners must complete all required onboarding and orientation activities prior to beginning placement hours.

Learners will be provided with a tentative start date and end date for their placement. Learners are expected to begin their IP placement on the tentative start date in order to ensure completion within the approved placement window. In the event that placement commencement is delayed due to site availability, onboarding requirements, or other circumstances outside the learner's control, the College will provide guidance regarding next steps in accordance with applicable catalog policies.

All placement hours must be completed within the assigned placement window, while adhering to site requirements and the availability of the assigned preceptor.

Learners are responsible for adhering to the placement schedule coordinated by the College in collaboration with the assigned preceptor and must comply with the preceptor's existing schedule, availability, and site requirements. Learners may not independently contact placement sites or preceptors regarding scheduling unless expressly authorized by the College and directed to do so through College-designated processes.

Learners may be scheduled for up to forty-eight (48) hours of placement activities per week. Total placement activity hours shall not exceed forty-eight (48) hours in any given week.

Learners are required to notify IP Placements and Nursing Education faculty when they:

• Begin their placement hours; and
• Complete all required placement hours.

If a learner is unable to attend their assigned IP placement due to extenuating circumstances, the learner must follow the process outlined in the Learner Code of Conduct (Exception Request Policy) contained in this Catalog.

Failure to attend an assigned IP placement during the assigned placement window, except as permitted through documented and approved exceptions, may result in a failing grade for the course, subject to applicable grading, academic standing, and appeal policies described elsewhere in this Catalog.