Fort Wayne, Indiana Based Students

The MSNGx Program Director will identify preceptors and arrange placement of students at supervised experiential learning (SEL) facilities within a 1 hour or 150-mile radius of Fort Wayne. Students selecting this option are required to live in the Fort Wayne area regardless of where the student resides at the time of application to the program.

Distance Learning Students

Students identify and contact preceptors/facilities in the area of residence or preferred location. Students may complete supervised experiential learning at facilities anywhere in the United States, so long as they meet the minimum requirements. Distance learning applicants must include commitment letters from preceptors for the clinical rotation before admission to the program will be granted. MU must establish affiliation agreements with student selected facilities prior to student placement. We have put together this toolkit to help you start searching for preceptors in your preferred geographical area.

Clinical Shadow | Spring | 80 Hours

• 1 day per week for approximately 10 weeks
• Preceptor must be an RDN

Ideally, this preceptor will also be the preceptor for the Clinical rotation during the final semester.

Facility should:

• Be accredited by the appropriate agency (such as The Joint Commission or the state)
• Be in good standing
• Have at least 2 RDNs providing MNT
• Be licensed for at minimum 50 bed inpatient census

Community | Summer | 128 Hours

• Minimum 128 hours, approximately 4 weeks
• Preceptor may be an RDN, MPH, lactation specialist, or other approved professional
• Facility may be WIC, health department, aging services, child nutrition program, community wellness, correction facilities, or other community agency/facility providing nutrition education

Business | Summer | 128 Hours

• Minimum 128 hours, approximately 4 weeks
• Preceptor is preferably an RDN, but may be another healthcare professional
• Facility may be private nutrition practices, corporate wellness, sports nutrition, or other approved businesses

Food Service Management | Fall II | 224 Hours

• Minimum 224 hours, approximately 7 weeks
• Preceptor is preferably an RDN, but may be a food service manager or supervisor
• Facility may be hospital, long term care, K-12 school, University, or other large scale food service operation

Sustainability/Agricultural Foods | Fall II | 128 Hours

• Minimum 128 hours, approximately 4 weeks
• Preceptor is preferably an RDN, but may be an MPH, or other sustainable agriculture specialist
• Facility may be a farmer’s market program, farm to table program, sustainable/regenerative farm, or other approved site

Long Term Care | Spring II | 96 Hours

• Should be accredited by the appropriate agency (such as The Joint Commission or the state) and be in good standing.
• Preceptor should be an RDN.

Faculty should:

• Be accredited by the appropriate agency (such as and be in good standing
• Be licensed for at minimum 50 bed inpatient census
• Have opportunities such as skilled nursing, assisted living, rehab, MDS, and billing

Clinical | Spring II | 256 Hours

• Minimum 256 hours, approximately 8 weeks
• Preceptor must be an RDN
• Ideally, this preceptor is the same as the Clinical Shadow preceptor from Spring 1

Facility should:

• Be accredited by the appropriate agency (such as The Joint Commission or the state) and be in good standing
• Have at least 2 RDNs providing MNT
• Be licensed for at minimum 50 bed inpatient census
• Have opportunities such as med/surg, cardiac, gastrointestinal, oncology, ICU, NICU, management, and formulary

Commitment Letters

• Contact potential preceptors. Start with individuals you have already met in class as guest speakers, at meetings, facilities you have volunteered in, or connect on social media (i.e. LinkedIn).
• Obtain a commitment letter from individuals that states their preparedness to precept you. Letters may be in the preceptors preferred format (letter, email, etc.) but you must provide copies of letters in PDF format to the Program Director. (Commitment letters for Clinical rotations must be submitted prior to admittance in the program. Inclusion of other rotation commitment letters is not required but will support your application.)
  • Samples of preceptor commitment letters can be found in this toolkit.
• Students selecting their own supervised experiential learning sites must locate their clinical site and have a letter of commitment prior to acceptance in the program. This may be done after applying to the program. Clinical sites must have a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) as the primary preceptor for the student. If you are a member of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics you may search the Preceptor Database.

Before Experiential Learning May Begin

• Affiliation agreements are required before supervised experiential learning may begin.
• Agreements will be completed between Manchester University and the practice site/facility. In the event that an affiliation agreement is unable to be negotiated, you will be responsible for finding another preceptor and site to complete required supervised experiential learning.