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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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Out-of-State Students

Our online nursing degree programs prepare graduates to take the national board certification exam appropriate to their degree or chosen NP concentration. Please see our full list of state authorizations to determine whether our program fulfills requirements for licensure in your home state. Wilkes University will not be able to place any students who move to an unauthorized state before or during the program and this may impact your ability to continue with the program.

Primary State of Residence (PSOR)

Your PSOR is the state in which you declare as your primary residence for legal purposes. Sources used to verify your PSOR may include driver's license, federal income tax return, or voter registration. Only one state can be identified as the primary state of legal residence.

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