Clinical experiences provide the student with an opportunity to observe and work with a professional nurse at a clinical agency. This learning experience is an integral part of achieving course objectives and practicing skills in a real-life environment. Most clinical experiences are on Tuesdays and Thursdays during the junior and senior years of the nursing program.
Clinical Agency Partners
We partner with a variety of clinical agencies to provide our students the best clinical experiences in public and private settings. Some of our current partnerships are listed below.
Allina – Abbott Northwestern Hospital (Minneapolis, MN)
Children’s Hospital of Minnesota (Minneapolis, MN)
Fairview Ridges Hospital (Minneapolis, MN)
Fairview Southdale Hospital (Minneapolis, MN)
Faribault Public Schools (Faribault, MN)
HealthPartners Park Nicollet Methodist (Minneapolis, MN)
Laura Baker School (Northfield, MN)
Mayo Clinic (Rochester, MN)
Northfield Hospital (Northfield, MN)
Northfield Public Schools (Northfield, MN)
Rice County Jail (Faribault, MN)
Rice County Public Health (Faribault, MN)
Steele County Public Health (Owatonna, MN)
St. John’s Lutheran Church (Northfield, MN)
Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Center (Minneapolis, MN)
Clinical Preceptors
The nursing program collaborates with clinical preceptors. Preceptors are nurses who serve as a clinical mentor to the student in a one-on-one clinical experience. The preceptor is an employee of the clinical agency, and their service is voluntary. Selection of preceptors is based on the recommendation of the agency. The relationship between the preceptor and the nursing program is collaborative in support of student learning.
Clinical Transportation
Students must make their own arrangements for transportation to clinical agencies during the junior and senior years in the nursing program. St. Olaf College and the Nursing Department do not provide cars, college vans or any other means of transportation to students. Clinical experiences will require transportation. It is the student’s responsibility to cover any financial costs related to their vehicle (insurance, maintenance, gas, parking, bearing the liability for any passengers).