The major reason for the success of the Oregon/Southwest Washington StudentMAX® experience has been the collaboration and commitment of the education and clinical partners. At the start, they defined their common purpose: To improve the efficacy and capacity of nursing education through innovation, collaboration, and centralized coordination. As educators, they looked to a proactive approach to supporting the future of nursing education and building educational capacity in healthcare within the region. The consortium has met and worked to this end since its inception in 2003. Members of the consortium have learned a great deal over time… how to work together, play “fair”, resolve conflicts, embrace innovation, expand student opportunities beyond hospital walls, and more. As you form your team and work toward unity, we offer our services for your success. If you want information on consulting services, please contact: Carol Mitchell, RN, MN, Program Director, StudentMAX® Connection, Phone 503.241.3867, Email nrscoord@gmail.com. 1. If more than one school of nursing (SON) requests a placement from a clinical partner (CP), is the request granted on a first-come-first-serve basis? You may determine this “rule” in your own region. However, in Oregon and in most states licensed with us, the decision is not based on a first-come first-serve, but rather on history and long-standing relationships between CPs and SONs. The Clinical Partner decides. 2. When I look at your placement site www.ocnplacement.org, are the placements pending requests or actual, approved placements? You see existing, approved placements. It gives you the opportunity of viewing all placements in your region, seeing the “holes” or opportunities, and printing reports specific to your facility. 3. What exactly is the process for student placements? The SON or Education Partner representative makes a placement request on the website. The request is reviewed by your Placement Coordinator and forwarded to the Clinical Partner for approval. The Education Partner is then informed of the decision. 4. Can I search the placement grid for reports specific to my facility? Yes, you can define your search by your facility, selected partner (SON or clinical site), semester, type of unit, even individual unit. This makes communication with your faculty and managers so much easier. 5. I was told about your “passport for students.” Can you explain? We developed a “passport” that lists in detail all clinical requirements. It is a printable form that delineates immunizations dates, completion of orientation, etc. We are looking at a web accessible format.