Co-Curricular Activities

Student Observership Experiences

The primary purpose of observership is to observe a physician or healthcare provider performing his or her duties. This excludes the student from engaging in any activity, physically or verbally, that may be considered the practice of medicine. The following outlines the guidelines for UNR Med students regarding observership experiences:

  • Observership experiences are prohibited for first and second year medical students during the academic year.
    • Exception: Students will be permitted to participate in observership experiences during non-curricular times (winter, spring or summer break), but only with prior approval from UNR Med. See “How to Seek Approval for Observerships,” below.
  • Observership is an activity outside the UNR Med curriculum, therefore the liability policy (malpractice insurance) may not cover students who engage in observership activities
  • During the third year, any clinical activities must be approved by the applicable clerkship director and must align with the goals and objectives of the applicable clerkship.
  • All clinical activities in the fourth year must be part of a UNR Med approved course/elective and must be included on the student's fourth year schedule.

How to Seek Approval for Non-Curricular Observerships and Summer Preceptorships

Students must make any requests for approval a minimum of two months prior to the start of any proposed observership or non-curricular summer preceptorship experience. Only medical students in good standing (not on probation) will be permitted to participate in non-curricular observership experiences. The form is online at this link.

For students wanting to participate in observerships or non-curricular summer preceptorship in Step 1 Dedicated, you must meet the following conditions:

  • Be in good academic standing at the start of Dedicated, with no Block remediations.
  • Set your Step 1 date and write Step 1 before you can proceed to observerships or non-curricular summer preceptorship. If you move your Step 1 date, you must let Student Affairs and Curricular Affairs know. Your observership may or may not be rescheduled, at the discretion of the Associate Deans of Student Affairs and Curricular Affairs.
  • Submit your forms two months prior to the date(s) that you are seeking. These two months provides the necessary time to seek availability for the observership or non-curricular summer preceptorship.