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Placement Match Request Policy 

If you are experiencing challenges securing a clinical/practicum site or preceptor, you may submit a request for a Placement Match. This request provides assistance in identifying and matching you with a preceptor and site that meet the course and program outcomes.

Placement Match requests have specific deadlines and requirements. A Placement Match request is specific to a term and clinical/practicum course rotation. Requests must be submitted for each individual clinical course and term in which a unique clinical/practicum site is needed. Please refer to the deadline calendar for dates by which you must submit your request. The policy below contains important requirements to include when submitting a Placement Match request.

Travel Requirements

We will make every effort to identify a clinical/practicum site and preceptor in your local area. However, Placement Match requests may result in matches outside your immediate geographic region. Therefore, you will need to remain flexible with your location, as travel, and possibly longer commutes, may be required to accept a matched placement.

Placement Match Eligibility and Application Requirements

To apply for Placement Support, you must complete all of the following:

1. Submit the Placement Match Request Form

   • Submit your request at least 20 weeks prior to the desired academic term for the clinical rotation course, using the request form.

   • Review the deadline calendar for specific dates and academic terms.

   • The Placement Match Request form is available in Clinical Course Reminder emails that students receive from the clinical team that include a Case ID number. In addition, the form can be requested from your Clinical Student Manager.

2. Provide your Site Contact Log

   • Attach your site contact log to the request form, documenting your outreach and follow-up to at least 10 appropriate sites or preceptors for the requested course.

   • Sites contacted must meet course and site/preceptor requirements, as outlined in the Clinical/Practicum Student Handbook.

     • Placement Match requests will not be approved if the sites and preceptors you contacted do not match the criteria as found in the handbook.

     • If your contact log shows that you have not reached out to clinical sites meeting the handbook criteria, your Clinical Student Manager will provide feedback. You will then need to contact a minimum of 10 sites that meet the handbook criteria before a Placement Match request can be accepted. 

3. Submit Documentation of Denials

   • Provide a record of at least three formal denials from sites or preceptors you’ve contacted.

   • Denials must:

     • Be from a work-issued or institutional email (gmail, yahoo, hotmail, etc., are not accepted).

     • Be provided by an administrator (e.g., office manager, site owner) or the potential preceptor.

     • Reflect sites and preceptors that meet the course and program requirements.

   • Denials may not be reused from prior Placement Match requests and may be verified by your CSM.

4. Complete All Pre-Clinical Requirements

   • All pre-clinical items (e.g., immunizations, drug screen, liability insurance, copy of RN license, and other required forms) must be current and submitted by the Placement Match deadline. 

5. Copy of Cover Letter and Resume revised through Center for Career Advancement tools

All requirements above must be met for approval of a Placement Support request.

After Your Request is Submitted

Once the request is submitted by the required deadline, please allow your Clinical Student Manager up to 5 business days to review your request. 

Your Clinical Student Manager will verify that all requirements have been met. 

• If your request meets all the requirements, you will receive a notification that it is approved. 

• If your request does not meet the requirements, you will receive an email with feedback regarding what corrections are needed and when you may re-apply. 

After Your Request Is Approved

Once approved:

• The Clinical Placement Team will begin identifying an appropriate site and preceptor to match you with for the requested rotation. 

• While the team is working on your request, you can monitor your Placement Match form for updates. 

• You will be notified when an appropriate site and preceptor have been identified. You are responsible for making outreach to the site and preceptor to introduce yourself and set your schedule with your preceptor.

• You must notify your Clinical Student Manager of your acceptance or denial of the matched site/preceptor.

• You must remain actively engaged in your own networking efforts for future terms, or submit additional Placement Match requests.

• You must maintain all pre-clinical requirements throughout the process.

• Each Placement Match request applies to one specific term and course only. Any changes in enrollment (e.g., withdrawal, course failure, leave of absence) may require reapplication.

Placement and Commitment

While every effort is made to find a suitable match, finalized Placement Match requests may:

• Require travel up to 100 miles or more depending on availability and location-specific factors.

• Involve multiple sites or preceptors to meet course requirements.

Once a clinical site and preceptor are provided to you through the Placement Match process, the School of Nursing’s commitment is considered fulfilled under any of the following circumstances:

• You decline the match provided.

• You fail to complete site onboarding or do not meet site-specific requirements.

• A preceptor withdraws due to student violation of Code of Conduct policies.

  • In this case, you will no longer be eligible for future Placement Match requests.

• You do not successfully complete the clinical course after being matched.

If a preceptor cancels due to reasons beyond your control (e.g., job change or schedule conflict), the team will identify an alternative site for a future term, though it may not be the originally planned term.

If a site declines an affiliation agreement after a match is made, the Placement Team will locate an alternative; however, this may delay placement to a later term.

You will be responsible for any costs associated with the clinical site for which you are matched with (e.g. onboarding training, site/preceptor fees, additional background checks, etc). 

Placement Match terms

Placement Match requests are subject to modification or cancellation if necessary due to factors beyond the university’s control (e.g., national emergencies, pandemics).

You will receive reasonable advance notice of any changes.

While a clinical site and preceptor match may be identified, site and/or preceptor availability may require assignment to an academic term different from the one requested. 

Ongoing Support

We are committed to supporting your success in the placement process. You are not required to accept the site or preceptor identified through Placement Match. You may continue your search to find a better fit while utilizing other support processes.

If you miss the Placement Match deadline, you will continue to receive assistance through the standard placement processes and may apply for future terms, meeting the appropriate deadlines. This includes:

• providing networking resources, such as a list of previously used preceptors and potential agencies

• as well as assisting with required site paperwork (e.g., affiliation agreements). 

If further support is needed, you must submit a Placement Match request, along with all preclinical and required documentation, by the application deadline, for a future term.