Credentialing FAQ

  • Is there a list of previously used preceptors and/or sites?
    • Yes, students can access previously used preceptors and sites through our web-based Community Map once they have been admitted to a program and attended Frontier Bound.
  • I already have a site in mind for my clinicals. How can the Community Map assist me?
    • The Community Map is a wealth of information as it includes previously used preceptors and sites. Some sites may contain initial placement instructions. It's important that you follow any instructions listed so that you are in compliance with the site's policies. You will also complete the CSAF via the Community Map.
  • What is an RCF?
    • RCF is a faculty member at FNU who serves as a clinical advisor to students. Your RCF is your best resource when it comes to creating a plan for clinical practicum and your RCF will approve the sites and preceptors you select. Your RCF will work closely with you and your clinical preceptors throughout your clinical practicum.
  • Who is my RCF?
    • You can look for your RCF under Faculty Directory on the Banyan Tree Student Portal. Select view RCF information. RCFs are assigned by the state where a student plans to complete his/her clinical practicum. If you are completing clinicals in multiple states, contact the RCF from the state in which you live and an RCF will be assigned to you.
  • What is a Credentialing Coordinator?
    • A Credentialing Coordinator is a staff member who works to credential a student’s chosen clinical site & preceptor. Your Credentialing Coordinator is assigned by the state where you’ll complete clinicals and can be found on the Credentialing Home page.
  • What is the Clinical Outreach and Placement office?
    • The Clinical Outreach and Placement office includes Clinical Advisors who can help you plan for clinicals. Find more information on their Banyan Tree portal page: https://portal.frontier.edu/web/fnu/clinical-outreach-and-placement
      • provide individual appointments to discuss strategies
      • direct you to tools and resources to navigate through your clinical search
      • help you understand the appropriate timeline for securing a preceptor and site
      • steer you in the right direction if you have etiquette concerns
  • I have a preceptor, now what?
    • Complete the Clinical Site Approval Form via the Community Map. Locate site on map and submit your form this way by clicking "add to my clinical plan." If you cannot find site on the map, you will need to click on "Request New Site" in blue. RCF will receive the CSAF on her end and approve or deny Credentialing dept. will reach out to your site on your behalf/get credentialing process started once approved from RCF. If your site/preceptor has been used by FNU students in the past, your Credentialing Coordinator will determine what updates, if any, need to be made.
  • Can I start if my BLS/AWHONN/NRP expires in the middle of my clinical practicum?
    • Yes, however your BLS/AWHONN/NRP must be renewed prior to its expiration or you will have to stop clinicals until it is renewed. The same is true for all student documents. If CastleBranch warns you of an expiring document, please upload a current version and alert your Credentialing Coordinator.
  • What does it take to complete clinicals?
    • Most students will be in clinical for 6-9 months. FNU students must complete a minimum number of clinical hours, a minimum number of calendar weeks in which clinical is done, minimum requirements for clinical experiences in all areas of practice as evidenced by completion of required clinical visits and a signed declaration of safety, and the RCF’s final approval. The FNU minimum clinical experience for MSN students is 675 clinical hours and sixteen (16) weeks of clinical. The FNU minimum clinical experience for post-master’s students is 540 clinical hours with a successful challenge of three (3) clinical credits and fourteen (14) weeks of clinical. All students are to complete a minimum of 20 hours/week for the clinical courses ending in 712, 713, 714, and 715; 30 hours/week are required for 716. FNU students are encouraged to plan two to three terms in clinical. All clinical students need to meet with their RCF to discuss how to meet their clinical requirements and maximize their learning experience. RCFs may impose limitations on hours, types of experiences, etc. at their discretion.
  • I recently completed a background check for my employer; do I still need to complete the background check through CastleBranch for my student credentialing?
    • Yes, all students need to complete the background check through CastleBranch, regardless of what your employer requires.
  • I don’t have health insurance; does FNU offer student health insurance plans?
    • Students are required to carry health insurance and will be personally responsible for any and all health care costs while enrolled at FNU. Frontier Nursing University does not offer health insurance to students.Students must maintain personal health insurance. Students can secure health insurance coverage through the federal exchange, or your home state exchange if your state is not a part of the federal exchange. You can find out more at: www.healthcare.gov.
  • I am a member of the Christian Health Care sharing ministry through Samaritan Ministries. Does FNU accept this as an acceptable type of insurance?
    • Health sharing programs are acceptable in lieu of health insurance with FNU but clinical sites may not accept health sharing programs​​.
  • What about clinical time and my employment?
    • In order to gain the maximum benefit from the clinical experience students are advised not to work during the Clinical Practicum. Students must not work as a nurse, nurse-midwife, or nurse practitioner in the same unit, office, or clinic where they are in clinical as an FNU student. The Regional Clinical Faculty should be consulted if there are any questions about this policy.
  • Can I use a birth center for my clinical time?
    • Yes, however birth centers must meet FNU credentialing criteria and be nationally accredited by the Commission for Accreditation of Birth Centers (CABC) to be eligible for use during the clinical practicum. Your clinical plan needs to be approved by your RCF.
  • Can I use a home birth practice associated with a birth center for my clinical time?
    • Yes, however birth centers must meet FNU credentialing criteria and be nationally accredited by the Commission for Accreditation of Birth Centers (CABC) to be eligible for use during the clinical practicum. In addition, home birth sites must be reviewed and approved through FNU’s home birth approval process prior to the clinical practicum. Your clinical plan needs to be approved by your RCF.
  • Can I use a home birth practice for my clinical time?
    • Yes. Home birth sites may be utilized for clinical practicum if all FNU credentialing requirements are met including malpractice insurance. Home birth sites that provide home VBAC, twin birth or breech birth are not eligible and may not be used for any portion of the clinical practicum by FNU students. Home birth sites must be reviewed and approved through FNU's home birth approval process prior to the clinical practicum. Your clinical plan needs to be approved by your RCF.
  • How do I add an additional preceptor if I am already in clinicals?
    • You may need to add additional preceptors to a clinical site after it is on your My Clinical Plan and sometimes even after you have started your rotation. In order to add a preceptor, you will want to follow these steps: -Login to Banyan Tree Portal -Click "My Profile" -Scroll down to "My Clinical Plan" -Expand the site where you would like to add a preceptor -Click "Add New Preceptor to this Site" The Clinical Credentialing Department can credential any number of preceptors.
  • Can I work with more than one preceptor?
    • Yes, the Clinical Credentialing Department can credential any number of preceptors. You may need to add additional preceptors to a clinical site after it is on your My Clinical Plan and sometimes even after you have started your rotation. In order to add a preceptor, you will want to follow these steps: -Login to Banyan Tree Portal -Click "My Profile" -Scroll down to "My Clinical Plan" -Expand the site where you would like to add a preceptor -Click "Add New Preceptor to this Site"
  • Who can serve as a preceptor?
    • Program Track Post-Bachelors CNM MSN
      (CNM, FNP, NNP, PNP, WHNP)      		 MD/DO
      CNEP ✓ ✓ ✓ up to 20% (8 births maximum)
      CFNP   ✓ ✓ up to 40%
      CWHCNP   ✓ ✓ up to 20%
      Note: PAs, CPMs, & CNSs are NOT acceptable preceptors for FNU students

      Program Track    
      PMHNP MD-Psych
      Psychiatrists      		 LCSW*
      Licensed Clinical Social Worker
      PhD/PsyD
      Psychologists      		 LSW*
      Licensed Social Worker
      PMHNP
      Psych-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner      		 MFT*
      Marriage & Family Therapist
      PMHCNS
      Psych-Mental Health Clinical Nurse Specialist      		 LDAC*
      Licensed Alcohol & Drug Counselor
      *Master’s degree or higher required
  • Where can I complete clinicals?
    • Family Nursing Nurse Midwifery Psych-Mental Health Women's Health 
      Family Practice Home Birth Site** Private Practice Family Practice
      Internal Medicine Birth Centers** Community Mental Health Midwifery/Women's Clinics
      Pediatrics Hospitals Crisis Center Birth Centers (GYN Care) **
      ED/Fast Track (with RCF approval) Midwifery/Women's Clinics Substance Abuse Facility  
          Mental Health Hospital  
      ** must meet the university's policy for an eligible practice