Clinical Experience
Working with real patients is an invaluable part of every nursing student's experience, regardless of their speciality or career goals. At the Connell School, you'll gain access to incredible learning opportunities through clinical placements in world-class hospitals, innovative community care facilities, and public health departments, with seasoned mentors to guide you every step of the way.
Contact Us
Ted Hannigan
Assistant Dean
Clinical Placements and Community Partnerships
617-552-2833
Your clinical experience
Where will I be placed?
It depends on your degree track and area of specialization. Most undergraduate students are placed in hospital settings in the Boston area while master's and doctoral students complete their placements in a variety of settings, including hospitals, clinics, and smaller health care centers that match their areas of interest. Our program directors maintain connections with more than 85 clinical partners in the Boston area to ensure a broad range of settings to choose from.
When will I start?
Undergraduate students begin clinical placements their sophomore year. Direct entry graduate students begin in the fall of their first semester. Master's and D.N.P. students work with the graduate programs office to plan for their clinical experiences in sequence with their course work.
How many hours will I spend in clinical rounds?
1,000 hours for undergraduates and D.N.P. students. 500 hours for master's students.
Will all of my clinical experience take place off-campus?
A portion of your clinical hours may include practice in our Simulation Lab, where you'll work with live actors and manikins before treating real patients.
How will I find a preceptor?
We have connections and will help you find one! Our program directors and clinical experience staff work hard to match each graduate student with a preceptor who shares their area of interest. You are encouraged to bring ideas forward regarding clinical settings and desired learning outcomes.
Meet your mentor
Many graduate students cite their relationship with their preceptor as a formative part of their educational experience. At the Connell School, we work hard to match you with a supportive preceptor who shares your interests and career background.
Christie Jurena Christie Jurena
Christie Jurena
I also learn from [my students] as fresh eyes in a field that is always changing, always developing new information. This growth benefits us both.
Practice area: Women's Health
How would you describe your experience as a preceptor?
As a preceptor for Boston College since 2008, I have had the pleasure of meeting many women's health NP students during their advanced practice training. The students always begin the year eager but unpracticed, as this is typically their first exposure to patient care as a Nurse Practitioner. They quickly start to gain momentum as they gain knowledge and confidence, starting to see patients more independently, until ultimately they are managing the patient schedule unassisted. It is a process that is very satisfying as a teacher to observe.
What did you enjoy most about being a preceptor?
What I enjoy most about being a preceptor is not only to see how much my students learn from the experiences in my clinic, but how much I also learn from them as fresh eyes in a field that is always changing, always developing new information. This growth benefits us both.
Aissatoy Gueye "Aysha" Aissatoy Gueye "Aysha"
Aissatoy Gueye "Aysha"
Boston Medical Center
Precepting is in alignment with my core values that celebrate knowledge and professional growth.
Practice area: Adult Primary Care & Refugee/Immigrant Health Care
How would you describe your experience as a preceptor?
I feel honored to serve as a resource for future advanced nursing professionals. Precepting is in alignment with my core values that celebrate knowledge and professional growth. The journey of contributing to the preparation and dissemination of advanced practice nursing knowledge is among my most fulfilling experiences. Dr. Maya Angelou has said it best: "when you learn, teach! When you get, give!"
What did you enjoy most about being a preceptor?
I enjoyed providing NP students with clinical tools to get them ready for the real life experience. And, of these tools the one I enjoy the most is the use of effective heath care communication with patients and teams.
David Geyer David Geyer
David Geyer
Tri-River Family Health Center
The passion and dedication the students have to their clinical experience is so fruitful to their learning and allows us to establish a learning space that not only benefits us, but the patients and their families as well.
Practice area: Pediatric Primary Care/Urgent Care
How would you describe your experience as a preceptor?
Being a preceptor has been such a positive and enjoyable experience. Watching students expand their clinical knowledge and skills as the semester progresses is so exciting and, personally, very rewarding. The passion and dedication the students have to their clinical experience is so fruitful to their learning and allows us to establish a learning space that not only benefits us, but the patients and their families as well.
What did you enjoy most about being a preceptor?
Being able to watch students gain confidence in their abilities and reach the point in their academic careers where they feel ready to enter the workforce as new NPs is my favorite part about being a preceptor. Having a part in this journey is both gratifying and exciting!
Peter Kennedy Peter Kennedy
Peter Kennedy
Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
I love knowing that I am contributing to the development of the next generation of nurse practitioners.
Practice Area: Palliative Care
How would you describe your experience as a preceptor?
Precepting BC NP students has only strengthened my practice as a palliative care nurse practitioner. BC students come prepared and ready to take on challenging situations to enhance their own professional and personal growth. As a preceptor, I help to translate what the students learn in the classroom into clinical practice.
What did you enjoy most about the role?
I most enjoy witnessing the transformation that the students take over the course of the semester, from shy and novice to confident and proficient. I love knowing that I am contributing to the development of the next generation of nurse practitioners.
Meg Scully Wills Meg Scully Wills
Meg Scully Wills
Newton Wellesley Hospital
I know that when I'm getting a student from BC, I am getting a motivated, intelligent, kind, and compassionate individual.
Practice area: Minimally Invasive Gyn Surgery
How would you describe your experience as a preceptor?
I love that I am granted the amazing opportunity to help train and prepare our future Nurse Practitioners, because the future of health care is the Nurse Practitioner. My experience as a preceptor with the BC nursing program has been nothing short of adventurous and rewarding. I know that when I'm getting a student from BC, I am getting a motivated, intelligent, kind, and compassionate individual.
What did you enjoy most about being a preceptor?
I love seeing the progression from being a nervous, insecure NP student to becoming a confident and competent provider. So much so that the student becomes an extension of myself and we actually become co-collaborators and joint problem solvers. So, the patient gets two NPs instead of one. It's always a win-win to take on a BC nursing student.
“By getting a firsthand example of what nurse practitioners do, students can see the limitations, the possibilities, and how they might push the boundaries of what it means to be a nurse practitioner.”
The Simulation Lab
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A different kind of classroom
Simulation is a key part of every student's clinical experience, allowing them to practice their skills in a realistic and safe learning environment. Our state-of-the-art Simulation Lab features four customizable hospital settings, five exam rooms, and computerized high-fidelity manikins used to simulate a variety of medical scenarios—from heart attacks to childbirth.
Longwood Medical Center, home to several of the nation's top hospitals.
At the hub of health care
Develop and apply your advanced clinical skills in some of the most prestigious learning environments in the nation. Our partners include top-ranked teaching hospitals and community agencies representing a variety of care settings—from mental health centers to school health clinics—so you'll be matched with a placement that fits your interests.
Our more than 85 clinical partners include:
Addiction Treatment Center of New England
Atrius Health
Beth Israel Lahey Health
Boston Children's Hospital
Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program
Boston Medical Center
Brigham and Women's Hospital
Cristo Rey Boston High School
Dimock Center
Fenway Health
Franciscan Children's
Hebrew SeniorLife
Joslin Diabetes Center
Lynn Community Health Center
McLean Hospital
Shriners Children's Boston
Signature Healthcare
South Boston Community Health Center
Spaulding Rehabilitation Network
VA Boston Healthcare System
#1
Children’s Hospital
Boston Children’s Hospital
*U.S. News & World Report 2024-25 Rankings
#2
Hospital for Psychiatry
McLean Hospital
#8
Best Hospitals Honor Roll
Massachusetts General Hospital
#4
Cancer Hospital
Dana-Farber Brigham Cancer Center
Interested in becoming a preceptor?
Preceptors are essential to our students’ success, and receive a variety of benefits, including continuing education credit.
Pictured: CSON student and her preceptor at the VA Boston Healthcare System.