Clinical placements at Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions are student secured experiences where NP students find their own clinical sites and preceptors, and RMU reviews and approves them for program accreditation and licensure requirements. The university provides guidance, faculty oversight, and affiliation agreement support, but students are responsible for identifying qualified preceptors and submitting all required documentation.

TLDR - Clinical Rotations for Nurse Practitioner Students at Rocky Mountain University

• NP students at Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions are responsible for securing their own clinical sites and preceptors, while RMU reviews and approves them for accreditation and licensure requirements.
• RMU provides guidance, affiliation agreement support, faculty oversight, and resources in the Clinical Homeroom, but the placement process remains student driven.
• Each MSN pathway, including FNP, PMHNP, ENP, and dual certification options, requires supervised clinical hours that must be completed with qualified preceptors in approved clinical settings.
• Utah’s workforce environment includes a high number of APRNs and strong competition for clinical sites, which makes early planning and organized outreach essential for RMU students.
• Students who want more support during their search often use NPHub to explore vetted preceptors and secure placements that align with RMU’s program expectations.

Preparing for Your Clinical Practice at Rocky Mountain University

Students at Rocky Mountain University begin their programs with a clear academic structure. The Family Nurse Practitioner program, the Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner track, and other Master of Science in Nursing pathways combine online coursework, faculty guidance, and a strong foundation in evidence based practice.

Eventually every NP student reaches the point where classroom learning must transition into supervised clinical practice and this is the stage where clinical placements become essential.

Rocky Mountain University expects NP students to secure their own clinical sites and preceptors, and this step often becomes one of the most challenging parts of the program.

Clinical practice requirements apply across all advanced nursing programs at RMU. Students must find qualified preceptors, identify appropriate clinical settings, and make sure their choices meet program accreditation and licensure expectations.

The healthcare environment in Utah adds more context to this experience. According to the 2025 Utah advanced practice registered nurse workforce data report the state currently has a higher than average number of APRNs, and most identify as nurse practitioners in family practice settings. The report also shows that fifty eight percent of APRN respondents participate in precepting, which is encouraging for students who are about to begin their clinical search.

At the same time, Utah is facing turnover and an aging workforce, which may influence the availability of clinical sites in the coming years. These factors make early planning especially important for students at RMU.

In this guide, we will walk through how clinical placements work at Rocky Mountain University, what the institution provides, what students are responsible for, and how you can move through this part of your program with confidence and support.

But if this seems like too much to handle and you want a simple way to begin preparing for this phase, you can create a free NPHub account and review preceptor options that match your program requirements before your clinical courses begin. Taking this step can ease your search and give you a clearer view of what opportunities are available.

Why Clinical Placements Matter for NP Students at Rocky Mountain University

Each advanced nursing program at Rocky Mountain University is structured to support a strong transition into clinical practice.

The MSN Family Nurse Practitioner pathway prepares students to care for individuals across the lifespan through a five semester, fifty credit curriculum that blends online coursework with campus visits in Provo, Utah. This accredited program includes 540 clinical practice hours completed with local preceptors and leads to eligibility for the AANPCB or ANCC national certification exam. Graduates move into advanced practice nursing roles with a strong foundation in evidence based practice, health promotion, and patient care.

RMU also offers the MSN Family Nurse Practitioner and Emergency Nurse Practitioner option for students who want to expand their scope of nursing practice. This pathway spans six semesters and requires 960 clinical hours, completed alongside online instruction and on campus learning experiences. Students build clinical knowledge in both primary care and emergency settings and prepare for advanced certification that supports a wider range of clinical responsibilities.

For students focused on mental health, the MSN Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner program offers a fully online route to specialty practice. The program includes five semesters of online coursework and 540 clinical hours with community based preceptors. Students gain skills in assessment, diagnosis, and treatment across diverse populations and graduate prepared for PMHNP certification and future licensure.

Rocky Mountain University also offers a dual MSN Family Nurse Practitioner and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner track. This health sciences program spans six semesters and seventy seven credits, supported by selected campus visits for skills development and collaboration with faculty. Students complete 1080 clinical hours through local placements and graduate ready to pursue certification in both primary care and mental health nursing.

All of these nursing programs rely on supervised clinical hours to help students connect academic study with real nursing practice and these experiences teach clinical decision making, communication, to make your next steps smoother, go ahead and create a free NPHub account to explore your preceptor options that match the clinical expectations of your RMU program and the specialty you plan to pursue.

How Clinical Placements Work at Rocky Mountain University

Clinical placements at Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions are a central part of every advanced nursing program. They connect the academic work students complete in online coursework with the real patient care experiences needed for licensure and program accreditation. Understanding how RMU organizes this process helps students in the Master of Science in Nursing pathways move through the transition into clinical practice with more confidence.

What RMU Provides

Affiliation Agreement Support
Rocky Mountain University helps students by managing the agreements required before a site can host a learner from an accredited institution.

• The Director of Clinical Education reviews each preferred location to see whether Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions already has an affiliation agreement.
• If the agreement does not exist, the institution begins the process of securing one.
• This step can take more than ninety days, which makes early planning essential for students in the Family Nurse Practitioner program, the Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner track, the Emergency Nurse Practitioner option, and all other MSN pathways.

Site and Preceptor Approval
RMU ensures that each placement aligns with the standards expected in advanced nursing practice, healthcare leadership, and evidence based practice.

• The Director of Clinical Education reviews preceptor licenses, certifications, and curriculum vitae.
• Faculty members confirm that the site supports patient care experiences appropriate for the FNP program, the PMHNP track, the FNP and ENP combined option, or the dual FNP and PMHNP degree pathway.
• This process protects program accreditation, licensure eligibility, and the quality of clinical education for all RMU students.

Guidance and Faculty Support
The university provides structured guidance to help students prepare for their clinical practice experience.

• The Clinical Homeroom in Canvas includes preceptor selection criteria, instructional videos, required forms, and additional resources that support students across nursing programs and health sciences programs.
• Faculty maintain communication with preceptors throughout the rotation to support learning, encourage collaboration, and ensure that clinical objectives in primary care, mental health, and advanced nursing practice are being met.

Even with this guidance, many students feel they benefit from having additional support during their search. Creating a free NPHub account can give you another layer of help as you explore preceptor options that match the clinical requirements of your RMU program.

What Students Are Responsible For

Although RMU offers support and oversight, the clinical placement process is student driven in every Master of Science in Nursing pathway. Students must take the initiative to identify sites and preceptors that match their specialty and their career goals.

Students are expected to:

• Locate potential clinical sites and preceptors within their community or near the Utah campus if they attend campus visits.
• Confirm that each preceptor meets RMU’s requirements for advanced nursing practice, which apply equally to the Family Nurse Practitioner pathway, the Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner track, the Emergency Nurse Practitioner option, and dual degree pathways.
• Submit all required forms, including Forms A and D, at least eight weeks before clinical coursework begins.
• Provide preceptor licenses, certifications, curriculum vitae, and any documentation required for program accreditation.
• Maintain communication with clinical sites and develop the professional relationships needed to complete their clinical practice hours.
• Balance this process with responsibilities in online coursework, work schedules, limited residency requirements, and family commitments.

These expectations apply across Rocky Mountain University’s nursing programs, including the FNP program, the PMHNP program, the FNP and ENP track, and the dual FNP and PMHNP program. Students preparing for roles as nurse practitioners are expected to take an active role in their clinical placement search while the institution provides support through faculty mentorship and program structure.

Beginning early can make this part of your education smoother. Creating a free NPHub account gives you room to explore preceptors who already meet RMU’s clinical requirements and support your transition into advanced nursing practice.

What NP Students Can Do to Secure Their Clinical Placements

Even with the support Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions provides, securing a clinical site still depends heavily on the student. The good news is that a few practical steps can make this process feel more manageable. These strategies help students across the Family Nurse Practitioner program, the Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner track, and other advanced nursing programs at RMU stay organized and confident as they move toward clinical practice.

Start Your Search Early

Beginning your search early is one of the most helpful decisions you can make. Clinical sites often commit their schedules months in advance, and affiliation agreements can take time to complete. Starting ahead gives you more room to explore your options and connect with potential preceptors before deadlines begin to feel tight.

Reach Out to a Variety of Clinical Settings

Students usually start with primary care clinics, behavioral health practices, community health centers, and hospitals. Exploring several types of settings gives you a better chance of finding a placement that fits your specialty and your goals. It also exposes you to different patient populations, including older adults, families, and individuals with mental health needs.

Many students like having an extra resource while they explore different settings. Creating a free NPHub account can help you see what types of preceptors are available in your area and give you more clarity as you consider your options.

Use Your Professional Relationships

Your existing network can be one of your strongest tools. Colleagues, supervisors, former instructors, and classmates often know providers who enjoy working with nurse practitioner students. Sharing that you are preparing for clinical practice can open the door to opportunities you may not have found on your own.

Review RMU’s Preceptor Criteria Early

Rocky Mountain University lists specific expectations for preceptor qualifications. Reviewing these requirements early helps ensure that you focus on providers who meet the standards for accreditation and licensure preparation. This applies across the FNP program, the PMHNP track, the ENP option, and the dual certification pathways.

Stay Organized With Your Paperwork

Clinical placement requires accurate documentation. Students must submit Forms A and D, provide preceptor licenses and certifications, and complete all required materials on time. Staying organized helps your approval move forward smoothly so you can step into your clinical practice without delays.

Look for Support When You Need It

Balancing online coursework, work, and family responsibilities can make the placement search feel overwhelming at times. It is normal to want extra help during this stage.Creating a free NPHub account is one way to explore preceptors who already meet RMU’s expectations and can support your clinical experience when you are ready to move forward.

Finding your placement is a significant step, and you do not have to navigate every part of it on your own. In the next section, we will look at how NPHub supports Rocky Mountain University students who want a clearer and more reliable path into their clinical rotations.

How NPHub Supports RMU Students During the Clinical Placement Process

By the time students at Rocky Mountain University reach the clinical placement stage, many have spent months sending emails, making phone calls, and trying to build the professional connections needed for clinical practice.

Even with the support of RMU faculty and the structure provided through the Clinical Homeroom, it is common for students to feel overwhelmed, especially when deadlines are approaching or when a site stops responding without explanation.

NPHub was created to ease this part of the journey for nurse practitioners. The platform connects students with vetted preceptors who understand the expectations of advanced nursing practice and the requirements of accredited programs, who are screened for appropriate licensure, experience, and readiness to support NP students in real patient care settings.

For NP students having access to preceptors who already meet program standards can reduce the stress of cold calling clinics. Instead of reaching out blindly, students can explore potential matches by specialty, location, and practice type. This helps learners who are completing online coursework, caring for families, or studying away from the Utah campus stay on track for the clinical phase without sacrificing their other responsibilities.

NPHub also helps students who experience unexpected changes. A preceptor may relocate. A clinic may decide not to host students for the upcoming term. A site may face staffing issues or higher patient volumes. When this happens, students can quickly fall behind on their program timeline. Having access to a network of available preceptors gives students room to adjust without delaying their degree.

Many students use NPHub as a way to explore options before they officially need them. This approach allows them to stay aware of what is available in their area and feel more prepared as they approach the placement stage.

Each student can browse specialties such as primary care, behavioral health, and emergency settings and find preceptors who match the clinical goals of their FNP program or PMHNP track.

Creating a free NPHub account offers an easy starting point if you want a clearer view of potential preceptors and more support during your placement search. It gives you access to current availability and helps you stay proactive as you prepare for your clinical practice.

Moving Forward With Confidence in Your RMU Journey

Clinical practice can feel intimidating at first. The search for a preceptor can be stressful. It is normal to feel unsure about where to begin or how to stay organized, especially when you are handling so many responsibilities at once.

You do not have to figure out every part of this process on your own. Many students choose to explore additional resources to make their search more manageable and to protect their progress toward graduation. Creating a free NPHub account is one way to keep potential preceptors on your radar and stay aware of opportunities that can support your clinical practice when you need them.

You have worked hard to get here, and this next chapter is within reach. Your clinical rotations will help you grow, build confidence, and step into the role you have been preparing for. You are ready for this, and the support you need is available.

Frequently Asked Questions About Clinical Placements at Rocky Mountain University

Do RMU students receive help securing clinical placements?

Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions provides guidance and oversight, but students are responsible for securing their own clinical sites and preceptors. The Director of Clinical Education reviews proposed sites, confirms preceptor qualifications, and manages affiliation agreements. Students must locate appropriate sites, communicate with preceptors, and submit all required documentation on time.

What is the role of the Director of Clinical Education?

The Director of Clinical Education evaluates whether a clinical site meets program accreditation and licensure standards. This includes reviewing preceptor licenses, certifications, and curriculum vitae. The Director also checks for existing affiliation agreements and begins the process of establishing new ones when needed.

How long do affiliation agreements take?

Some affiliation agreements can take more than ninety days to complete. Because of this timeline, students in the Family Nurse Practitioner program, the Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner track, and other MSN pathways are encouraged to begin their placement search as early as possible.

What types of preceptors qualify for RMU students?

Preceptors must meet Rocky Mountain University’s criteria for advanced nursing practice and program accreditation. They typically include nurse practitioners, physicians, physician assistants, and other licensed providers who can support student learning in primary care, mental health, emergency care, or other specialty areas aligned with the student’s program.

What documents are required before beginning clinical practice?

Students must complete Forms A and D and provide documentation for preceptor licenses, certifications, and curriculum vitae. All materials must be submitted at least eight weeks before clinical courses begin to allow time for faculty review and site approval.

Why is it difficult to secure a clinical placement?

Several factors contribute to this challenge. Utah has a high number of nurse practitioners and other healthcare professionals seeking clinical sites. Many clinics are already hosting students from multiple institutions. Providers may also have limited availability due to high patient volumes, staffing shortages, or leadership responsibilities within their practice. These factors can make it harder for RMU students to receive timely responses.

Can online students find clinical sites near their home?

Yes. Many RMU students complete their online coursework from outside the Utah campus and secure clinical placements in their local communities. Students are expected to identify preceptors and clinical settings that meet program accreditation requirements for their FNP program, PMHNP track, ENP pathway, or dual certification program.

What happens if my preceptor cancels?

A cancellation can occur for reasons such as staffing changes, clinic schedules, or unexpected provider transitions. When this happens, students must notify faculty immediately. RMU will review possible options, but students must begin searching for a new site or preceptor to complete their required clinical hours.

Can NPHub help RMU students stay on track?

Many students decide to use NPHub when they need support with their placement search. NPHub connects students with vetted preceptors who already meet advanced nursing practice expectations and are open to hosting NP students. Creating a free NPHub account can help students explore available options and stay prepared during the clinical placement process.

Key Terms and Definitions

• Clinical Placement
  The process of securing an approved clinical site and preceptor where a student will complete their required clinical practice hours. Each placement must meet program accreditation and licensure standards established by Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions.
• Preceptor
  A licensed provider such as a nurse practitioner, physician, or physician assistant who supervises students during their clinical practice. Preceptors guide learning, support evidence based practice, and help students meet their clinical objectives.
• Affiliation Agreement
  A formal contract between Rocky Mountain University and a clinical site that allows the site to host students. Agreements protect program accreditation and typically take several weeks to complete.
• Director of Clinical Education
  The RMU faculty member who reviews each proposed site and preceptor. This individual ensures that placements meet accreditation requirements and supports the approval process for students across nursing and health sciences programs.
• Licensure
  The authorization granted by a state board that allows graduates to practice as nurse practitioners. Successful completion of clinical practice hours is one of the requirements for licensure eligibility.
• Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)
  A graduate degree that prepares registered nurses for advanced practice roles. Rocky Mountain University offers MSN pathways for Family Nurse Practitioners, Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioners, Emergency Nurse Practitioners, and dual certification options.
• Nurse Practitioner (NP)
  An advanced practice registered nurse trained to provide patient care in primary care, mental health, emergency medicine, and other specialty settings. NP students develop diagnostic, clinical, and communication skills during supervised clinical rotations.
• Primary Care
  A clinical setting that provides first point of contact care for patients across the lifespan. Students in the FNP program complete clinical practice hours in primary care to build skills in assessment, diagnosis, treatment, and health promotion.

About the author

• NPHub Staff
  At NPHub, we live and breathe clinical placements. Our team is made up of nurse practitioners, clinical coordinators, placement advisors, and former students who’ve been through the process themselves. We work directly with NP students across the country to help them secure high-quality preceptorships and graduate on time with confidence.
• Last updated
  November 17, 2025
• Fact-checked by
  NPHub Clinical Placement Experts & Student Support Team
• Sources and references
  
  • https://hwic.utah.gov/wp-content/uploads/Utah-Advanced-Practice-Registered-Nurse-Workforce-Data-Report-24.05.27.pdf
  • https://rm.edu/msn/degree-options/

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