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Role of the Preceptor

Criteria: Nurse Preceptors

  • Advanced Practice Nurses and Physicians 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 

Thank you for your willingness to shape the next generation of nursing professionals.

This page provides an explanation of your responsibilities as a preceptor. We have also included the student’s and the Clinical Faculty Advisor's responsibilities to you.

Thank you again for your willingness to mentor our students. If you have any questions, please contact your student’s Clinical Faculty Advisor.

Sincerely,
Billie Jeanne Burry, MSN, RN
Assistant Professor of Nursing 
President Zeta Psi Chapter of STTI 
Wilkes University Passan School of Nursing 
billiejeanne.burry@wilkes.edu

 

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 clinical duties. Please orient students to the office environment 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 procedures and if students are to avoid certain practice areas.

Student Evaluation

Preceptors are responsible for evaluations and feedback. 

  • It is important to remember to adhere to deadlines 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.)

Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner Program Outcomes and Curriculum

Program Outcomes

  • Synthesize theoretical, scientific and clinical knowledge in providing comprehensive, evidence-based care
  • Perform comprehensive health history and physical examination to diagnose health conditions involving critical analysis, differential diagnosis and data interpretation
  • Assume leadership roles in collaboration with other health professionals to achieve optimum patient health
  • Integrate health care policy as it impacts the decision-making ability to provide quality patient care
  • Negotiate health care delivery systems to promote quality health outcomes for individuals, communities and organizational systems
  • Coordinate care for patients with complex conditions through referrals and collaboration
  • Participate in life-long learning through higher education, continuing education, certification and evaluation

Program Curriculum: AGPCNP Specialization

Course Code Course Title Credits Hours
NSG 506 Advanced Practice in Adult-Gero Clinical I 3 250
NSG 515 Advanced Practice in Adult-Gero Clinical II 3 250
NSG 554 Nurse Practitioners in Primary Care I 3  
NSG 555 Nurse Practitioners in Primary Care II 3  
NSG 590 Scholarly Review 3  
TOTALS   15 500
 

Advance practice nursing students integrate theories from nursing and other sciences that are evidence-based and sensitive to cultural and ethical issues. Promoting quality outcomes in the adult-gerontology population across the spectrum of young adults, adults, and older adults is the focus of this clinical experience in primary care settings. Advanced health assessment, diagnostic reasoning, and development of therapeutic interventions for self-limiting conditions occurs. Opportunities for interdisciplinary experience and collaborative practice are provided. The seminar component of the course is designed to develop critical-thinking and clinical decision-making skills through case presentations. (seminar, residency and 250 clinical practice hours) Prerequisites: NSG 550

Family/across the lifespan nurse practitioner students integrate theories from nursing and other sciences that are evidence-based and sensitive to cultural and ethical issues. Promoting quality outcomes in the family population across the lifespan is the focus of this clinical experience in primary care settings. Advanced health assessment, diagnostic reasoning and development of therapeutic interventions for complex health conditions occurs. Opportunities for interdisciplinary experience and collaborative practice are provided. The seminar component of the course is designed to develop critical-thinking and clinical decision-making skills through case presentations. (seminar, residency and 250 clinical practice hours) Prerequisites: NSG 500, NSG 530, NSG 533, NSG 550

This course is designed to prepare primary care nurse practitioner students to provide primary health care to the adult and older adult population during wellness and acute/episodic illness. The course integrates nursing theories that are evidence-based with health assessment and diagnostic reasoning of acute/episodic primary care health problems. Health promotion, protection and disease prevention interventions are provided with consideration of culturally diverse populations. Prerequisites: NSG 550

This course is designed to prepare primary care nurse practitioner students to provide chronic primary health care to the adult and older adult population. The course integrates nursing theories that are evidence-based with health assessment and diagnostic reasoning of chronic, primary healthcare problems. Health promotion, protection and disease prevention interventions are provided with consideration of culturally diverse populations. Prerequisites: NSG 550

In this course, students will synthesize and review issues relevant to their specialty clinical practice. This course is designed as a review of the required master’s-level core nursing courses and specialty-focused curriculum for advanced nursing practice. This course will provide an overview of both the required core nursing courses as well as each specific specialty course. Prerequisites: Completion of Graduate Nursing Core and Concentration courses.

Evaluations

ALL students, preceptors and instructors are evaluated after each clinical rotation. The students are evaluated using the criteria listed in the packet you received. 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

FAQs

Preceptor

What is a preceptor?

A preceptor is an experienced, licensed practitioner who provides supervision during clinical practice and facilitates the application of theory to practice for nursing students.

What should I do if a student gets injured while completing his/her clinical hours with me?

The student should report the incident to your agency and follow the internal procedure. The incident should also be reported to the Program Coordinator.

What if the student asks questions for which I don’t have answers?

Contact the student’s Clinical Faculty Advisor via email or phone so that we may assist in finding the answer.

What if I have a calendar conflict during the preceptorship (i.e., vacation, conference, court, jury duty, etc.)?

Please notify the student and clinical placement team so that an alternative plan may be arranged.

What if I change employers?

Please notify the Placement Specialist as soon as possible and have the student notify the Placement Coordinator.

What if a personal emergency comes up on a day I am precepting?

Please notify the student as soon as possible and have the student notify the Clinical Faculty Advisor.

Will there be a university faculty contact?

Yes. All clinical rotations are associated with a specific course and Clinical Faculty Advisor.

Do preceptors get paid?

No.

What are the benefits of preceptorship?

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.

Do I have to precept every semester?

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.

How do I handle a student nurse’s absence?

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.

What if the student is unsafe/failing to progress/not meeting expectations?

Please contact the Clinical Faculty Advisor immediately if you become concerned or notice that a student is not meeting expectations.

What are the criteria for a physician to become a preceptor?
  • Unencumbered license to practice medicine in the state where the preceptorship will take place 
  • Engaged in an active practice directly affiliated with the rotation
What are the responsibilities of the preceptor?
  • 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
What are the responsibilities of the faculty?
  • 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
What are the responsibilities of the student?
  • 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
How do preceptors evaluate nursing students?

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.

How will I know what to focus on?

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.

May I request an interview or a resume prior to agreeing to precept a student?

Yes.

How are students screened?

Students must complete annual physical exams, background checks, immunization verifications, drug screenings, and OSHA and HIPAA training.

Who provides malpractice insurance?

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.)

What is the time commitment?

The time commitment varies by course.

More About Wilkes

At Wilkes, we support and applaud lifelong learning. We are constantly changing, evolving and growing to meet the needs of our online student nurses. We look ahead to the degree programs, experiences and opportunities our students will need to succeed, and that includes complimentary nursing clinical placement services.

Our online nursing programs offer a variety of options for working nurses. Whether you're looking to advance your current role or broaden your career path and pursue a new specialty, Wilkes has a flexible program for you. Going back to school is a big decision. That's why we offer the mentoring and faculty member support of skilled nurse educators you need to succeed.

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