Clinical Experience
NWHSU chiropractic interns move through four progressive experiences during the clinical phase of their education. Students participate in these clinical experiences starting in Trimester 6 and extending through graduation. NWHSU provides a diverse array of clinical opportunities which creates a unique experience for each individual intern. These educational opportunities demonstrate the University’s commitment to clinical excellence and preparedness for professional success.
CLINICAL INTERNSHIP 1
In Trimester 6, students receive continual 1:1 mentorship and supervision as they work through their first patient encounters, receiving consistent formative feedback and guidance from their NWHSU clinical supervising faculty. Clinical Internship 1 is a structured laboratory experience in which students refine their skills by interviewing, examining, diagnosing, preparing treatment plans, providing a Report of Findings and chiropractic care to early trimester students. During this initial phase, students review, practice, and discuss all elements of the clinical process in the J. Lamoine De Rusha Clinic located within NWHSU.
CLINICAL INTERNSHIP 2
As student skills and confidence are strengthened, interns transition into Clinical Internship 2, taking place under the supervision of the J. Lamoine De Rusha clinical faculty members serving the campus community including employees, employee families, students, and student families at no charge to patients. During this trimester 7 internship, students have the opportunity to work side-by-side with other disciplines, including massage therapy and acupuncture and Chinese medicine, to provide patient-centered integrative care. Clinical Internship 2 increases the pace of patient care and independence but with continued supervision and feedback with interns participating in all elements of care.
CLINICAL INTERNSHIP 3 AND 4: COMMUNITY BASED INTERNSHP PROGRAM
Students progress and transition into Clinical Based Internships (CBI) during Clinical Internship 3 and 4 (trimesters 8 and 9). The CBI program, a NWHSU innovation, places students in the practice of a doctor of chiropractic who partners with the University to immerse students in the pace of everyday clinical practice, daily operations, and the business of chiropractic while still supporting the educational needs of the intern. NWHSU works with over 150 CBI sites with clinics located on campus, throughout the metro, and surrounding communities within a 100-mile radius allowing interns to tailor their clinical experience to align with their chiropractic goals. These CBI sites meet the rigorous approval process and standards expected by NWHSU to ensure interns are placed in sites that follow best practice in chiropractic care.
NWHSU’s CBI internships provide students with rich clinical experiences, contact with diverse patient populations, and opportunities to build business skills, thus providing a unique experience for every student. In each setting, a small student-to-faculty ratio results in a close relationship between the clinical mentor and the intern.
CLINICAL INTERNSHIP 5: PRECEPTORSHIP PROGRAM
The last and final phase of the intern experience is Clinical Internship 5. In Trimester 10, interns are provided the choice of continuing within a CBI site or participating in the Preceptorship Program. The Preceptor Program is available to interns who have demonstrated competency in all academic and clinical standards and have completed all graduation requirements. At these preceptor sites, interns further hone and refine their skills by working side-by-side with a practicing chiropractor, with options in most states and many different countries. Preceptorships continue to provide oversight and feedback as needed but provides interns with an authentic day-to-day chiropractic practice experience transitioning them into readiness for private practice.
CLINICAL ROTATIONS
The promotion of integrated and collaborative natural and conventional medical care is a unique objective of NWHSU. As a complement to their primary clinical experience, students observe the clinical practices of chiropractors and other health care professionals such as neurologists, orthopedic surgeons, dentists, radiologists, massage therapists, and Chinese medicine practitioners. Through participation in this program, students come to better understand the rationale for different approaches to care, are exposed to a wider range of patient conditions, understand the means for patient management through consultations and referrals, and have the opportunity to network with specialists. Additionally, NWHSU has established clinics at Concordia Academy in Saint Paul, Mino-Bimaadiziwin Wellness Clinic, and downtown at the Salvation Army’s Minneapolis Harbor Light Center. Students, under faculty supervision, provide free care to a diverse population of patients in these communities.