ABSN: Preceptor Guide
Role of the Preceptor
Criteria for Nurse Preceptors
- RN, BSN or ADN and licensed in the state precepting
- Holds a current CPR card
- Carries professional liability insurance either from their employer or on their own
Responsibilities & Expectations
- Bridges the gap between theory and actual practice
- Orients students to practice setting, organizational and institutional policies and key personnel
- Assists students in planning clinical assignments based on course objectives and student-articulated learning needs
- Provides supervision of students on a one-to-one clinical basis until such time as students and preceptors deem direct supervision is no longer necessary
- Provides weekly feedback to students
- Reviews and co-signs all student documentation in clinical records
- Submits a Student Evaluation Form of the practice experience to Clinical Faculty Advisor, as requested
- Serves as a role model to nursing students
- Maintains an open line of communication with students’ Clinical Faculty Advisor
Nursing Student-Preceptor Exchange of Information
It is important to cover the following items with the student either prior to the start of clinicals or during your first clinical meeting:
- Exchange contact information (Leave your contact number and student’s contact number with the nurse manager and shift charge nurse.)
- Schedules
- Dress code
- Identification
- Passwords and codes
- Tardiness
- Reporting off the floor and off of clinical for the day
- Calling in sick/clinical absence
- Assignment postings: time and location (please post clinical objectives for each clinical)
- Parking policy
- Review JACHO - Do not use the list of abbreviations
- Student and staff introductions
Clinical Preparation
If your agency requires students to attend an orientation program, please allow your schedule to accommodate the program. Please obtain all necessary passwords for computer charting, supply and med stations, and arrange any computer or blood glucose classes or training.
We ask that you review with students how they should prepare for their patient assignments and discuss rounding, breaks and reporting off the floor. Please orient students to the floor and provide a tour. You may want to review certain equipment and send students on a scavenger hunt for frequently used items. It is important to review any isolation procedures and if students are to avoid certain patient areas.
Student Evaluation
Preceptors are responsible for evaluations and feedback.
- It is important to remember to adhere to deadlines placed in the clinical packet.
- All course objectives need to be met and assignments complete prior to the final grade being posted. Please keep notes on your student every shift and report this progress to the clinical instructor at the end of each week.
- Each student has a checklist; it is important to initial the skills the student completes during their clinical rotation with you.
- Evaluation information will be emailed directly to you after the rotation is complete.
Post-Conferences/Huddles/Interdisciplinary Rounds
During pre- and post-conferences, team huddles and interdisciplinary rounds, review such things as case studies, NCLEX questions, medications, dosage calculations and the delegation process, to name a few. Students should participate in rounding as much as possible.
Role of the Clinical Faculty Advisor
- Is available to discuss the clinical program requirements and objectives with the preceptor
- Assesses the adequacy of space and appropriateness of clients for the students’ learning objectives and clinical experiences
- Communicates with preceptor regarding the student’s conduct and progress
- Schedules on-site or virtual visits, when deemed necessary, by the faculty, student or preceptor
Role of the Student
- Reviews goals/objectives for fulfilling clinical requirements with preceptor
- Provides the preceptor with weekly written objectives and evaluation forms for the clinical experience
- Provides proof of nursing license, immunization status and any other documentation required by the clinical site, as necessary
- Reviews existing agency protocols and Wilkes University protocols with preceptor
- ALL students are required to complete 5 hours of community service per clinical course. The student must provide evidence of community service to their clinical instructor by the designated time frame. They may ask the preceptor for suggestions.
- Documents all clinical encounters in the respective health records using a SOAP format (All entries must be co-signed by the preceptor.)
- Arrives at a designated site on time and dressed professionally with Wilkes University student name tag
**Note** All currently enrolled Wilkes University nursing students are covered under the Medical Professions Liability Insurance. (A copy is on file in the Graduate Nursing office at Wilkes University.)
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Total Credit and Clinical Hours (ABSN Program) |
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Credit Hours |
36 |
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Clinical Hours |
630 |
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NURS 330: Nursing Practice I |
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Credit Hours |
12 credit hours total:
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Clinical Hours |
168 clinical hours
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Site(s) |
Med-Surg |
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Provider Types |
Clinical Instructors
Preceptors
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Focus
This course introduces the student to the profession of nursing. The use of the nursing process is emphasized in meeting the human needs of clients identified as individuals, families and communities. Nursing theory is correlated with clinical practice in the Clinical Nursing Simulation Center (CNSC) and selected clinical agencies.
Clinical Objectives
Demonstrate a developing level of critical thinking and clinical nursing judgment. Apply the nursing process, standards of care and identified psychomotor skills to provide competent patient-centered care to adult medical-surgical patients.
Clinical Competencies
Primary and secondary IV, aseptic technique; including dressing change, suctioning, tracheostomy care, ostomy care, chest tube care, urinary catheter insertion/removal/care, blood glucose monitoring, nasogastric tube insertion/removal and care, ambulation and transfer techniques. Collaborate with other healthcare professionals to provide appropriate health promotion and disease/injury prevention.
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NURS 331: Nursing Practice II |
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Credit Hours |
12 credit hours total |
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Clinical Hours |
210 clinical hours
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Site(s) |
Med-Surg and Psych-Mental Health |
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Provider Types |
Clinical Instructors
Preceptors
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Focus
Building on the foundation of nursing, the nursing process is used to assist individuals, families and communities to achieve optimum health and to resolve selected medical, surgical and mental health problems. Nursing theory is correlated with clinical practice, and clinical skills will be learned in the CNSC and mastered in a variety of settings.
Clinical Objectives
Apply the nursing process, standards of care, and identified psychomotor skills to provide competent patient-centered care to adult medical-surgical and psychiatric-mental health patients in clinical settings.
Clinical Competencies
Demonstrate competency in associated psychomotor skills including central venous access devices, blood administration and hearing voices psychiatric experience. Demonstrate knowledge and use of the nursing practice as it applies to several disorders and behaviors (i.e., anxiety disorders, depressive mood, crisis intervention).
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NURS 332: Nursing Practice III |
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Credit Hours |
12 credit hours total |
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Clinical Hours |
252 clinical hours
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Site(s) |
Ob/Peds and Med-Surg |
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Provider Types |
Clinical Instructors
Preceptors
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Focus
This course prepares the student for professional role development in emerging health delivery systems. The nursing process is utilized in assisting individuals, families and communities to meet their health needs. Nursing theory is correlated with clinical practice in a variety of health care settings.
Clinical Objectives
Relate concepts from the humanities, physical and social sciences to the care of the growing family. Apply the nursing process, standards of care and identified psychomotor skills to provide competent patient-centered care.
Clinical Competencies
Demonstrate an accomplished level of clinical nursing judgment and improved critical thinking. Demonstrate readiness for entry into professional nursing practice as evidenced by successful completion of the designated comprehensive exam.
Evaluations
ALL students, preceptors and instructors are evaluated after each clinical rotation. The students are evaluated using the criteria listed. You may be evaluated on such items as:
- Providing constructive feedback to students
- Correlating classroom theory with clinical practice
- Ability to answer students’ questions
- Overall quality of the clinical experience
- Communication with the student, instructor or school
- Availability to the student and instructor
Suggestions for Being an Effective Preceptor
Preceptorship is a working relationship between an experienced practitioner and a beginner. The preceptor helps to bridge the gap between theory and reality. To be an effective preceptor it is helpful to:
- Review the student’s goals and objectives
- Orient the student to your clinical site by introducing the staff, touring the facility, and reviewing the policies, procedures and protocols used in your clinical setting
- Initially, allow the student to observe your methods of assessing, diagnosing, and treating
- Provide a one-on-one clinical experience as necessary to fulfill student goals/objectives
- Be a role model – share values, philosophies and “pearls of wisdom”
- Be patient – remember how slow students are when they are beginning a new clinical experience
- Allow the student opportunity to assess, diagnose and form a treatment plan BEFORE you provide feedback and suggestions
- Offer frequent feedback as to student’s progress (weekly is ideal)
- Evaluate the student using the appropriate form and review the evaluation with the student offering constructive criticism and encouragement
A preceptor is an experienced, licensed practitioner who provides supervision during clinical practice and facilitates the application of theory to practice for nursing students.
- Bridges the gap between theory and actual practice
- Orients student to practice setting, organizational policies and key personnel
- Orients student to institutional policies
- Assists student in planning clinical assignments based on course objectives and student-articulated learning needs
- Provides supervision of student on a one-to-one clinical basis until such time as student and preceptor deem direct supervision is no longer necessary
- Provides daily feedback to student
- Reviews and co-signs all student documentation in clinical records
- Submits a Student Evaluation Form to clinical faculty of the practice experience, as requested
- Serves as a role model to the nursing student
- Maintains an open line of communication with the student’s clinical advisor
- Is available to discuss the clinical program requirements and objectives with the preceptor
- Assesses the adequacy of space and appropriateness of clients for the student’s learning objectives and clinical experiences
- Communicates with preceptor regarding the student’s conduct and progress
- Schedules on-site visits, when deemed necessary, by the faculty, student or preceptor
- Reviews goals/objectives for fulfilling clinical requirements
- Provides the preceptor with written objectives and evaluation forms for the clinical experience
- Provides proof of nursing license, immunization status and any other documentation required by the clinical site, as necessary
- Reviews existing agency protocols and Wilkes University protocols with preceptor
- Documents all clinical encounters in the respective health records using a SOAP format. (Note: All entries must be co-signed by the preceptor.)
- Arrives at a designated site on time and dressed professionally with Wilkes University student name tag
Preceptors have opportunities for immediate feedback and for a more formal assessment of student performance. Preceptors will complete evaluations in writing on Wilkes-designated forms at intervals during the semester, usually at the mid-point and end of the semester.
Each course has associated clinical course objectives and competencies to help guide you and the students during the preceptorship. The course objectives are outlined in the curriculum section. Contact the Clinical Faculty Advisor for any additional questions related to clinical outcomes.
Yes.
Students must complete annual physical exams, background checks, immunization verifications, drug screenings, and OSHA and HIPAA training.
All currently enrolled Wilkes University nursing students are covered under the Medical Professions Liability Insurance. (A copy is on file in the Graduate Nursing office at Wilkes University.)
Please contact the Clinical Faculty Advisor immediately if you become concerned or notice that a student is not meeting expectations.
Contact the student’s Clinical Faculty Advisor immediately and follow the policy on clinical absences and make-ups in the handbook. Students are required to notify the preceptor and Clinical Faculty Advisor immediately in the case of an emergency or situation that would result in an absence.
The student should report the incident to your agency and follow the internal procedure. The incident should also be reported to the Program Coordinator.
Contact the student’s Clinical Faculty Advisor via email or phone so that we may assist in finding the answer.
Please notify the student and clinical placement team so that an alternative plan may be arranged.
Please notify the Placement Specialist as soon as possible and have the student notify the Placement Coordinator.
Please notify the student as soon as possible and have the student notify the Clinical Faculty Advisor.
Yes. All clinical rotations are associated with a specific course and Clinical Faculty Advisor.
No.
Clinical preceptors will receive a certificate demonstrating the number of hours in which he or she has precepted a student. Depending on your certifying organization, this may be used toward license renewal or national recertification.
There are no requirements for the frequency of preceptorship. We are grateful for the value you provide in each preceptorship. Many preceptors take students intermittently.
The time commitment varies by course.
