The Clinical Guidance Process
We know that securing a clinical site can be one of the biggest challenges in your graduate nursing education. That’s why we created our Clinical Guidance Process, backed by our Clinical Placement Pledge — a comprehensive framework and support system designed to help you secure a clinical site and preceptor, so you can focus on what really matters: becoming a confident advanced-practice nurse.
Our proven step-by-step framework provides support throughout your placement journey, ensuring you know exactly what to do and when to do it.
Here's an overview of how it works:
Your Dedicated Team
As a Herzing graduate nursing student, you are provided with a dedicated Clinical Placement Advisor and Clinical Coordinator (master's prepared nurse) to help navigate every step of the clinical placement process. Below is a general overview of the process.
Review and Prepare
Start by reading your specific program outline in the Academic Catalog to understand the patient population and clinical program requirements for your pathway. Each course noted in the program outline will have specific outcomes.
Identify a Site and Preceptor
Once you've been accepted as a graduate nursing student, you'll receive details on course and clinical objectives that will help you identify an appropriate clinical site and preceptor. You'll reach out to local healthcare providers that align with your program outcomes. This helps ensure a meaningful, relevant clinical experience.
Facing a challenge?
We'll help you move forward.
Request Assistance
If you've contacted multiple sites without success, contact your assigned Clinical Placement Advisor. You'll receive a list of approved clinical sites within your area and next steps for outreach.
Partner with Your Clinical Coordinator
Your Clinical Coordinator, a master's-prepared nurse, will schedule a coaching call to guide you through the placement process, discuss your outreach and identify additional site opportunities if needed.
Clinical Application
Gather required materials - like your resume, preceptor's CV and signed preceptor agreement - and complete your online clinical application.
Secure and Confirm Placement
Once a site is secured, meet with your preceptor within seven days to finalize your placement and confirm all required documentation.
Important Timeline
Students must begin the formal placement process at least two months before the clinical application deadline to qualify for the Clinical Placement Pledge for that term.
The Clinical Placement Pledge
At Herzing, our students benefit from our step-by-step Clinical Guidance Process and nationwide network of trusted healthcare partners - from hospitals and clinics to community health organizations and specialty practices.
We're so confident in our ability to help you succeed that we promise your clinical placement.
Our Promise
If, after completing all required steps, you are still unable to secure your placement, we will step in and secure it for you. †
† Terms and conditions apply as outlined in the Graduate Catalog. Students must follow Herzing University's Clinical Guidance Process and meet all placement deadlines to qualify for the Clinical Placement Pledge.
The Herzing Difference
You can enroll in confidence knowing Herzing is your partner in success.
- Clarity in your clinical journey
- Support begins from the very beginning
- Clear guidance process to help you choose a site that best fits your specialty pathway
- Designed for working nurses
While the Clinical Guidance Process is designed to empower you to secure your own clinical placement, we understand that sometimes—even when you do everything right—unexpected roadblocks can appear. And if that happens, we stand behind our students with the Clinical Placement Pledge. 1
Frequently Asked Questions
Have more questions? Send us an inquiry — we’re here to help you move forward with confidence.
The Clinical Placement Pledge applies to APRN students who follow Herzing University's Clinical Guidance Process and meet all placement deadlines. Students must begin the formal placement process at least two months before the clinical application deadline to qualify.
- Doctor of Nursing Practice in Adult Gerontology - Acute Care Nurse Practitioner - BSN to DNP
- Doctor of Nursing Practice in Adult Gerontology - Acute Care Nurse Practitioner - MSN to DNP
- Doctor of Nursing Practice in Adult Gerontology - Primary Care Nurse Practitioner - BSN to DNP
- Doctor of Nursing Practice in Adult Gerontology - Primary Care Nurse Practitioner - MSN to DNP
- Doctor of Nursing Practice in Family Nurse Practitioner - BSN to DNP
- Doctor of Nursing Practice in Family Nurse Practitioner - MSN to DNP
- Doctor of Nursing Practice in Pediatric Nurse Practitioner - BSN to DNP
- Doctor of Nursing Practice in Pediatric Nurse Practitioner - MSN to DNP
- Doctor of Nursing Practice in Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner - BSN to DNP
- Doctor of Nursing Practice in Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner - MSN to DNP
- Doctor of Nursing Practice in Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner - BSN to DNP
- Doctor of Nursing Practice in Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner - MSN to DNP
- Post Master’s Certificate in Adult Gerontology - Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
- Post Master’s Certificate in Adult Gerontology - Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
- Post Master’s Certificate in Family Nurse Practitioner
- Post Master’s Certificate in Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
- Post Master’s Certificate in Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner
- Post Master’s Certificate in Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
- Master of Science in Nursing in Adult Gerontology - Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
- Master of Science in Nursing in Adult Gerontology - Acute Care Nurse Practitioner – Accelerated RN-MSN
- Master of Science in Nursing in Adult Gerontology - Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
- Master of Science in Nursing in Adult Gerontology - Primary Care Nurse Practitioner - Accelerated RN-MSN
- Master of Science in Nursing in Family Nurse Practitioner
- Master of Science in Nursing in Family Nurse Practitioner - Accelerated RN-MSN
- Master of Science in Nursing in Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
- Master of Science in Nursing in Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner - Accelerated RN-MSN
- Master of Science in Nursing in Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
- Master of Science in Nursing in Pediatric Nurse Practitioner - Accelerated RN-MSN
- Master of Science in Nursing in Public Health Nursing
- Master of Science in Nursing in Public Health Nursing - Accelerated RN-MSN
- Master of Science in Nursing in Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner
- Master of Science in Nursing in Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner - Accelerated RN-MSN
A Clinical Coordinator is a master's prepared nurse who provides expert guidance during the clinical placement process. After working with a Clinical Placement Advisor, the Clinical coordinator will conduct a coaching call to review progress and help identify additional clinical site opportunities, using their clinical expertise to support successful placements.
Your Clinical Placement Advisor is available to offer guidance on site appropriateness, strategies for identifying and contacting clinical sites, and training related to clinical experiences. They can provide you with a list of potential clinical sites within your area when needed.
Yes! Herzing encourages students to take an active role in identifying and securing their own clinical sites. This allows you to network with potential employers and choose a site that best fits your specialty pathway. Our team is here to support you throughout the process.
If you've contacted multiple sites without success, contact your assigned Clinical Placement Advisor. You'll receive support including a list of potential clinical sites within your area and next steps for outreach. Your Clinical Coordinator will also schedule coaching calls to guide you through the process and identify additional opportunities.
Ready to Start Your Clinical Journey?
Take the first step toward becoming a confident advanced-practice nurse. Our team is here to guide you every step of the way.