Selection and Use of Preceptors for Specialty Roles

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UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA MEDICAL CENTER COLLEGE OF NURSING
Selection and Use of Preceptors for Specialty Roles	Subsection: 6.1.4
Section 6.0 - Information	Originating Date: October, 1988
Responsible Reviewing Agency: Professional Graduate Nursing Program Curriculum Committee	Revised: January, 1995 Revised: April, 1999 Revised: September, 2002 Reviewed: February, 2004 Revised: October, 2008 Revised: July, 2012
J:/RESOURCE MANUAL/Table of Contents College of Nursing Resource Manual

Policy

A preceptor is an APRN, PA, MD, DO, MSN, MBA, MHA, or other identified as an expert with appropriate educational background who has agreed to assume negotiated responsibility for a student’s clinical experience.

1. Students in professional graduate nursing programs, excluding post-masters DNP students, are required to complete clinical practicums in order meet certification requirements
2. A faculty member is responsible for the following:
   1. Preceptor orientation and evaluation which should include the following:
      1. An overview of the roles and responsibilities of preceptors, faculty and students within the course
      2. Specific preceptor responsibilities
      3. Methods of clinical evaluation of students by faculty and preceptors.
      4. Goals and objectives for the clinical experience
      5. Process of resolution of potential/actual problems
      6. Completion of semester course evaluation forms documenting preceptor’s credentials and other required information
      7. Student and faculty evaluation of preceptor
   2. Guiding the student clinical experience, which includes facilitating, monitoring, and evaluating the student’s learning through periodic conferences and/or site visits with the student and preceptor.
3. Criteria for Preceptors:
   1. For MSN students, professionals with an advanced degree appropriate to the specialty with at least one year experience; possessing appropriate certification as required; and identified as positive professional role models by agency and/or faculty.
   2. Expectations of all preceptors:
      1. Review semester objectives and goals to facilitate clinical learning
      2. Review daily objectives to be discussed at the beginning of each clinical day
      3. Create a learning environment for the student and facilitate the critical thinking skills required of a student
      4. Complete the Preceptor Credentials form and the Clinical Preceptor Assessment of Student Performance form.
   3. 1. Listen to the student’s case presentation on each patient
      2. Provide feedback about assessments, differential diagnosis, problem lists and proposed plans of care
      3. See patients with the student
      4. Supervise the student on all new procedures
      5. Recheck all abnormal examination findings identified by the student and evaluate the student’s management plans for these problems
      6. Always be present in the clinical area during the student’s experience, and name a qualified substitute if you must leave the clinic
      7. Review all student entries in the patient’s health/medical records

The preceptor has a right to ask that the student be placed in another learning environment if problems arise that cannot be resolved.