Clinical Placements FAQs

Nursing practice enables students to be comfortable and competent in a variety of health care settings and to put into practice the knowledge and skills that they are learning in the classroom and labs. Due to COVID-19, clinical placements have been modified to ensure health and safety measures are met. Please review the list of frequently asked questions below before beginning your clinical placement.

Will enough in-person clinical hours be made available to meet the requirements laid out by CARNA for degree completion?

The Faculty has consulted with CARNA and received approval to adjust the number and mode of delivery of clinical hours for the Undergraduate Nursing programs during the COVID pandemic. The priority is to ensure that the course objectives are met and that students are adequately prepared to practice. You would only be expected to make-up clinical hours in courses for which you were/are awarded a grade of incomplete and this would not result in any additional tuition costs to the student. In cases where important clinical or practical skills were missed due to the interruption to the Winter 2020 semester, the Faculty is ensuring that those skills are taught at other times or in other courses. We are doing everything we can to ensure that students complete their programs on time and with confidence in their ability to practice their chosen profession.

How important is it for me to maintain social distancing while attending clinical placements?

It is critically important to maintain social distancing and to use a face mask and other PPE at all times while at your clinical site. This includes during breaks, on the clinical site premises/grounds, etc. You must follow this protocol with staff, visitors, patients, and your fellow students. Following this protocol presents a positive image to the general public about your nursing role in the prevention of the spread of COVID-19.

What are the consequences of not maintaining social distancing or improper use of PPE while at a clinical site or attending in-person lab activities?

Students who are not practicing social distancing on hospital property, in clinical settings or on campus (public settings) are putting others at risk. Depending on the circumstance, a Practicum Intervention or Code of Student Behaviour violation may be warranted. Practicing according to the CNA code of ethics is a required element in all clinical course experiences and we want to make sure we are all following best practice to limit potential spread of COVID-19. Please make sure you talk with your instructors about expected use of PPE in your specific course experience. Keeping each other safe by using masks and health precautions is key.

Should I wear my scrubs to the clinical site?

It is best practice to change into your scrubs at the clinical site. Your clinical instructor will discuss ways to make this possible (lockers, etc.) with your hospital site. All scrubs must be cleaned at home between shifts.

What happens if I am symptomatic?

Please view the University of Alberta Nursing COVID-19 Algorithm.

How do I get to clinical?

Public transit will be running. Check latest transit info for details. Fares are required as of June 15, 2020 and the UofA is not implementing the U-Pass for Summer or Fall term. If you are taking public transit, please ensure you are wearing a non- medical mask as recommended by the Government of Alberta. If possible, driving to clinical is ideal. As of September 1, 2020 parking at hospitals will return to regular rates. Ensure you check this at your allocated sites.

Do I have to do a symptom check every day?

Yes. For lab practice you will complete a symptom check 2 hours prior to class via eClass. For clinical you will complete a symptom check online using your AHS network access ID for each shift 2 hours before the shift starts. You will have to show your “passed” fitness to practice for clinical to the person checking on your unit plus your instructor. This can be on your phone or printed off.

Do I have to physically distance on the units?

You are to maintain a 2m distance with others on the unit when possible. You must maintain a 2m distance during breaks. This means that on some units you will not be able to use their break room due to sizing. As well, due to distancing measures, conference time will be moved to online. Obviously 2m is not feasible with patients and PPE is required when working with patients.

Are there any restrictions on what skills I can do or see on the unit (or elsewhere)?
  • You are not to be present for any aerosol-generating medical procedures (AGMP). An example of this type of procedure is intubation or extubation of a patient or administering Nebulized Therapy or Aerosolized Medication Administration (click here for a list – includes appropriate PPE).
  • You are not to provide full CPR. If you on an inpatient unit and you are the only witness to a code, you are to protect yourself first by completing a Point of Care Assessment and donning PPE (mask and gloves). When other staff arrive, you can then be the “runner” outside the room and participate in this type of activity.
  • For other resources related to CPR please visit your eClass site.
What is being done to ensure clinical placements are safe for students?

We have dedicated individuals who arrange, monitor and are in constant conversation with our clinical partners to ensure clinical areas are positive learning experiences and are safe for nursing students. Although junior students are not being assigned to care for known COVID patients at this time, junior students may come into contact with unknown COVID positive patients, clients or caregivers. Senior students may come into contact with COVID positive patients and they may be required to take care of potential and/ or possible covid patients with full PPE equipment available and provided. Senior preceptorship students, because of their seniority, knowledge, skills, scope of practice and the array of areas (including critical and emergency units) where students are placed, may be required to take care of COVID positive patients in addition to non-COVID patients, potential and probable COVID patients. These students will have all the required PPE equipment necessary to care for all patients including COVID positive patients.

All efforts are being implemented to ensure students have all the knowledge, skills and access to the Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) required to care safely for assigned patients or clients within the scope of practice of nursing students. Please talk with your instructor if you have concerns about your placements and experiences related to COVID-19.

Are students permitted to work at a health care facility while completing courses with in-person clinical at another site?

Students cannot work at a long term care facility and be in any other clinical setting. They can work in another acute setting but do run the risk of COVID 19 exposure and having to isolate and impact their student clinical requirements due to required self-isolation.

For specific information on single-site order: Click here

This link provides information from AHS to healthcare professionals: Click here

What do I need to know about Mask Fit Testing?

The Faculty of Nursing has experienced delays in arranging respirator mask fit testing due to COVID-19-related shortages of masks and testing facilities.

For students entering NURS 225 and 345 in Winter 2021 term (initial mask fit testing), NURS 485 in Winter 2021 term (previous mask fit testing may have expired), or other clinical courses (mask fit testing is due to expire before April 2021), please wait for a further message from the Faculty of Nursing. We are working with Alberta Health Services to identify a solution related to mask fit testing requirements and testing availability.

What are the expectations of faculty, instructors and students who have placements within AHS?

Review this important letter (Google Drive) provided by Nancy Guebert, Director and Laura McDougall, Senior Medical Officer of Health from the AHS Emergency Coordination Centre (ECC)

Am I required to wear eye protection in the clinical environment?

In accordance with the new AHS PPE Guidance (effective December 7, 2020), students are required to wear continuous eye protection while in the clinical environment (eg. goggles, face shield, or procedure mask with built-in eye shield).

AHS will provide non-prescription eye protection on clinical units. Individuals may be permitted to bring their own prescription protective eyewear, provided it meets specifications outlined in the bringing your own PPE to work document.

Cleaning instructions for your own protective eyewear is outlined in the bringing your own PPE to work document provided by AHS.

What is known about COVID vaccination for nursing students in clinical?

AHS Vaccine Sequencing - Post Secondary Students