--- title: "Clinical Practicum Placement - Overview" type: "wiki" space: "Seneca Nanji Foundation School of Nursing" author: "Rupinder Khaira" created: 2026-10-28T02:12:18Z updated: 2026-10-29T01:48:02Z url: "https://students.senecapolytechnic.ca/spaces/312/seneca-nanji-foundation-school-of-nursing/wiki/view/18545/clinical-practicum-placement-overview" --- # Clinical Practicum Placement - Overview ### Clinical Practicum Placement – Overview #### What is Clinical Practicum? Clinical practicum is a mandatory component of the programs offered by the Seneca Nanji Foundation School of Nursing. It provides students with supervised, hands-on learning experiences in healthcare and community settings, where they apply knowledge and skills acquired through classroom instruction, laboratory practice and simulation. Clinical placements allow students to develop professional competencies, clinical judgment, communication skills and confidence while participating in the delivery of safe, ethical and person-centred care. Each program follows established educational standards, program approval requirements and professional competencies, as applicable. These include requirements established by the College of Nurses of Ontario \(CNO\), Ontario's Postsecondary Education Quality Assessment Board \(PEQAB\) and provincial program standards. **Clinical practicum hours are mandatory and must be completed as prescribed by the student's program.** Successful completion requires students to meet the required clinical hours, demonstrate the expected learning outcomes and achieve satisfactory performance evaluations. #### Clinical Practicum Across Our Programs Clinical learning experiences vary according to the program, level of study and professional competencies students are expected to achieve. **Personal Support Worker \(PSW\)** PSW students participate in supervised practical experiences that prepare them to assist individuals with activities of daily living, personal care, mobility, nutrition and other supportive care needs. Placements may occur in long-term care homes, retirement residences, community care organizations or other approved settings. Students develop skills in providing safe, compassionate and person-centred support while working with healthcare teams. **Internationally Educated Nurses \(IEN\) Certificate Programs** Clinical practicum provides internationally educated nurses with opportunities to apply and strengthen their nursing knowledge and skills within the Canadian healthcare system. Depending on the certificate program, placements may focus on clinical competency development, professional standards, documentation, therapeutic communication and adapting to nursing practice expectations in Ontario. Clinical activities are aligned with the specific program's learning outcomes and the student's permitted scope of practice. **Practical Nursing Diploma \(PND\)** PND students complete supervised clinical experiences that prepare them for the role of a Registered Practical Nurse \(RPN\). Placements may occur in hospitals, long-term care facilities, community healthcare organizations and other approved clinical settings. Students apply nursing knowledge to client assessments, care planning, medication administration, health promotion and the delivery of safe nursing care. Clinical responsibilities increase as students progress through the program. **Honours Bachelor of Science in Nursing \(BSN\)** BSN students participate in progressive clinical practicum experiences that prepare them for the role of a Registered Nurse \(RN\). Placements may include medical-surgical nursing, maternal and newborn care, mental health, community health, acute care and other specialized healthcare settings. Students begin with supervised clinical experiences and gradually assume greater responsibility for client care, clinical decision-making and collaboration with interprofessional teams. In the final stage of the program, students complete an integrated professional practicum, working closely with an RN preceptor to consolidate their knowledge, skills and professional competencies in preparation for entry-level nursing practice. #### Clinical Practicum Requirements All students must successfully complete the clinical practicum requirements outlined in their program and course curriculum. These include: - **Mandatory Clinical Hours:** Complete the prescribed number of clinical hours required by the program. - **Clinical Competencies:** Demonstrate the knowledge, skills, judgment and professional behaviours outlined in the course learning outcomes. - **Clinical Clearance:** Meet all medical, non-medical and agency-specific requirements before participating in placement. - **Attendance and Participation:** Attend assigned clinical shifts, orientations and required learning activities. - **Professional Conduct:** Follow Seneca's policies, clinical agency requirements, confidentiality standards and applicable professional expectations. - **Clinical Evaluation:** Achieve satisfactory performance in all required clinical assessments and evaluations. #### Clinical Placement Settings The School of Nursing works with healthcare and community partners throughout the Greater Toronto Area to provide clinical learning opportunities appropriate to each program. Depending on program requirements and availability, students may be assigned to hospitals, long-term care homes, retirement residences, rehabilitation facilities, community health organizations, home and community care services, or specialized healthcare settings. Clinical placements are coordinated by the School of Nursing's Clinical Practicum Office. Placement locations and schedules vary based on program learning outcomes, available clinical capacity and agency requirements. #### Successful Completion of Clinical Practicum **Clinical practicum is a compulsory academic requirement and must be successfully completed to meet program progression and graduation requirements.** Completing the required hours alone does not constitute successful completion. Students must also demonstrate the expected clinical competencies, meet course learning outcomes and satisfy all applicable professional and clinical agency requirements. Students who do not complete the required hours or achieve satisfactory clinical performance may be unable to progress in their program or meet graduation requirements.