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Policy 3.5: Clinical Coursework Abroad 

Applies to: A/BSN, DNP, Certs, or other students engaged in international clinical or practicum settings.

I. Policy Statement

The School of Nursing (SoN) supports student participation in international clinical and practicum experiences that advance educational goals while maintaining the highest standards of safety, professionalism, and patient protection.

All official international student travel must comply with SGP 211: Student International Travel Policy. Faculty and staff participating in international activities related to student coursework abroad must comply with APS 75.1: Official International Travel.

International clinical coursework requires layered approvals:

  • School of Nursing approval by the Department Chair, OSAA Program Official, and Executive Dean
  • UW Office of Global Affairs for the International Travel Registry and requirements
  • UW Study Abroad only when the experience is part of a formal study abroad model (faculty-led, exchange, provider, or FRILA).
  • UW central financial approvers for reimbursement or funding of travel-related expenses.

Students may not independently arrange or participate in international clinical work for academic credit without prior approval.

II. Process

A. Types of Activities

International student activities in clinical settings fall into three categories:

  • Observational: Shadowing or exploration seminars without project or assessment.
  • Educational: Activities such as needs assessments, quality improvement, teaching, or final/capstone projects.
  • Hands-on Care: Direct provision of clinical care under appropriate licensure and preceptorship.

Note: PhD dissertations work abroad is not governed by this policy; it is managed by the student’s Supervisory Committee.

B. Criteria for Approval

  • Relationship: Faculty sponsor has relevant expertise and established partnership with the site.
  • Preparation: Student demonstrates adequate preparation (including language skills, as appropriate) and is in good standing.
  • Stance: Student is prepared to act as a learner, accept feedback, and adapt behavior.
  • Capacity: Site demonstrates readiness and ability to integrate the student.
  • Limits: Mechanisms are in place to ensure the student’s activities remain within approved scope.

Additional criteria for hands-on care experiences:

  • Qualified Preceptorship: An appropriately credentialed preceptor is identified.
  • Patient Safety: The site has robust protections for patient safety.
  • Net Impact: The positive and negative impacts of student participation are explicitly considered.

C. Required Agreements & Approvals

All international coursework must have the appropriate agreements in place before approval:

Activity Type Required Agreements
Observational courses/seminars Standard course approval only
Undergraduate clinical (no hands-on care) Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) and/or Affiliation Agreement (AA)
DNP population health practicum (no hands-on care) MOU + Statement of Mutual Agreement (SMA)
DNP Final Project MOU + SMA + DNPCC approval
Independent Study (NMETH 499/600) Independent Study form + SMA
Clinical rotations (hands-on care) Affiliation Agreement (AA, negotiated centrally) + MOU

International affiliation agreements are considered non-standard by UW and require negotiation through the Office of Global Affairs and the UW Attorney General, often over 6 to 12 months. These cannot be arranged by individual students.

D. Pre-Departure Requirements

  • UW International Travel Registry: Students must register their travel prior to departure, per SGP 211. Faculty/staff must register per APS 75.1. Students in official UW Study Abroad programs are registered automatically; independent travel requires student-initiated registration.
  • Insurance and Emergency Assistance: Registration activates International SOS (ISOS) for emergency assistance and Cigna Global Health Benefits international medical coverage. Students must complete ISOS activation and will be billed automatically based on program duration. Waivers may be requested with proof of equivalent comprehensive coverage, but are rarely approved.
  • High-Risk Destinations: Travel to destinations under U.S. Department of State or CDC travel warnings, or otherwise deemed high-risk by the International Travel Risk Assessment and Safety Committee (ITRASC), is prohibited unless a Travel Warning Waiver is approved by the Provost.
  • Orientation: Students must attend a pre-departure orientation (UW Study Abroad, School of Nursing, or approved equivalent).
  • Travel Documentation: Students are responsible for securing visas, passports, and other necessary travel documentation.
  • Optional but Encouraged: Students must secure international health insurance coverage (UW Study Abroad default or equivalent).

E. During the Experience

  • Students must adhere to UW and SoN codes of conduct, professional standards, and site requirements.
  • Students must maintain regular communication with SoN faculty and site supervisors.
  • UW reserves the right to cancel or alter international programs or activities if a location becomes high-risk or otherwise poses undue risk to health and safety, consistent with SGP 211 and APS 75.1.
  • Any clinical incidents, exposures, or safety concerns must be reported in accordance with School of Nursing Policy 3.4.

F. Return and Evaluation

  • Students must complete post-experience debriefing with their faculty sponsor.
  • Faculty sponsor will review deliverables and assign credit in accordance with course expectations.

III. Roles and Responsibilities Summary

Activity Student Faculty Sponsor Site/ Preceptor OSAA Program Official Chair/ Dean UW Study Abroad
Application to participate R A C A
Proposal & academic plan A C C C R/A
Agreement initiation & negotiation C C A C R/A
Compliance verification R A R/A
Pre-departure orientation & travel registration R C I R/A
Incident/exposure reporting R (report) A R/C C I I
Ongoing supervision & feedback R A R
Post-experience debrief & credit assignment R A C C

RACI Legend:

  • R = Responsible: Performs the task
  • A = Accountable: Ultimately answerable
  • C = Consulted: Provides input
  • I = Informed: Kept up to date

Related Policies & References

Last updated: September 2025