N798 Research Practicum Experience

Faculty Sketches | Contract | Summary

WHAT IS A RESEARCH PRACTICUM?

The School of Nursing requires three courses in nursing research: N700 Nursing Research, N701 Interpretive Research in Health Care Settings, and N798 Master’s Research Practicum. Students are required to complete at a minimum one of the nursing research methods courses before the practicum experience; it is highly recommended to have completed both courses.

The intent of the research practicum is to promote the students’ learning of the research process in nursing through direct experience. Students work closely with faculty to determine the nature, scope and design of the research experience

Goals of the practicum are for the student to:

1. understand the literature supporting the research in which the student will be involved,

2. understand the research design and methods being used, and how the piece on which the student works fits into the whole, and

3. be able to articulate the implications of the student’s contribution to the whole and to directions for future research.
   

The context of the research practicum may be an ongoing research program of an individual faculty or a group of faculty, an interdisciplinary research project, a quality enhancement program, an evaluation project, or a community health program and may include:

1. a secondary data analysis

2. participation in the activities of ongoing research, such as:

   - problem identification and refinement,

   - literature review and synthesis,

   - study design and data collection,

   - data analysis and interpretation,

   - preparation of reports and presentations of findings.
   
   

3. a research based scholarly project or

   - participation in quality enhancement or

   - program evaluation activities or

   - similar projects in community health.
   

The expected outcomes for the research practicum include one of the following:

1. A written report, for example, a scholarly paper, protocol instrument, report, research proposal, manuscript or section of a manuscript

2. Other evidence that is not written, for example a component of an intervention (e.g., a video) or a computer program.

The grading option: is S\U with S for satisfactory or U for unsatisfactory.

Students receive a grade of "I" for an incomplete; the designation of "P" for progress is NOT used, as this course is not repeatable.

Three practicum credits are required. Students who seek preparation in research beyond the practicum may register for additional credits of N799 Independent Study.

HOW DO I NEGOTIATE A PRACTICUM EXPERIENCE?

Students can view faculty sketches that are posted on the School of Nursing web site.to determine which faculty have compatible research interest with the student. Then the student will make arrangements to meet with prospective faculty to discuss possible practicum experiences.

HOW DO I GET REGISTERED?

1. Once the student and practicum advisor reach agreement on the practicum objectives, the student completes the Computer Authorization Form for Clinical and Independent Study Courses (see http://www.son.wisc.edu/students/forms/GradAuthFormRev6-20-06.pdf) to set up the controls for web enrollment.

2. The completed form is submitted to Academic Programs Front Desk, K6/146. The student must have completed the HIPAA Research Training Module at http://www.son.wisc.edu/students/HIPAA/HIPAAResearch.pdf to be eligible for authorization. Note that patient contact also requires up-to-date TB documentation and Hepatitis B Titre.

3. A "class number" will be activated in the Timetable and the individual authorization will be set. The class number is emailed to the student.

4. The student registers for N798 using MY UW (http://my.wisc.edu/portal/) completing their registration.
   

WHAT DOCUMENTATION IS NEEDED FOR THE PRACTICUM?

Two separate pieces of documentation are submitted to the Academic Programs Front Dest, K6/146, for placement in the student’s permanent file: BOTH FORMS MUST BE IN THE STUDENT’S FILE BEFORE GRADUATION!

1. N798 Contract. After the student and advisor reach an agreement on the goals and expectations and/or outcomes of the practicum, this form is submitted no later than the second week of class. The form serves as the contract for the practicum experience. Both the student and the practicum advisor sign it.
   

2. Summary of the Research Practicum. At the end of the semester, a two-three page summary of the practicum should be written by the student and approved by the advisor using the format and guidelines for content as outlined.

Although other work is produced during the practicum, the summary is the only documentation required by the Master's Program Office. Any other report, paper, proposal, or non-written evidence produced in the practicum are part of the course and remain with the practicum advisor and student.