Simmons College – Nursing Programs
NUR 454 – BSN precepted placement
This course focuses on nursing practice that promotes the health of clients experiencing multi-system
stressors. Students address intrapersonal, interpersonal, and extrapersonal stressors, and examine how
they affect the health status of client systems and the delivery of nursing care. Students work in
collaboration with a nurse preceptor and other health care providers to manage patient care. They practice
in settings in which nurses provide primary, secondary, and tertiary interventions to clients of all ages.
Case method and discussion of clinical practice are used to promote critical thinking and clinical
decision-making related to the nursing care of client systems with complex health needs. (4 credits)
Guidelines for Preceptors
A copy of the student’s proposal will be provided. It is recommended that both the preceptor and student
review the objectives for the experience at the beginning of the experience. This will provide an
opportunity to revise or modify the objectives according to the clinical learning available in a particular
setting. It is advisable to review these objectives midway through the experience. These objectives serve
as guidelines for preparing a final evaluation.
At the request of the Massachusetts Board of Registration, preceptors should have at least two years of
clinical experience and that they have a baccalaureate degree in nursing.
The preceptor, in assuming the role, will:
1. Orient the student to administrative policies, physical facilities and the standards of clinical
practice in the setting.
2. Guide, direct, and facilitate the learning and practice of the student.
3. Have frequent, informal conferences with the student.
4. Share ongoing evaluations of clinical performance with both student and faculty.
5. Serve as a resource person in conjunction with the faculty regarding the required paper/project for
the course.
6. Assist the student with communications within the agency.
7. Contact the faculty to clarify any issues which may arise.
8. Participate in the mid-term and final evaluation of the student's performance.
Guidelines for Faculty
The faculty will:
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Establish and maintain ongoing contacts with preceptor and student.
Attend conferences as requested by agencies being utilized.
Be available to students and preceptors by telephone and personal visits.
Schedule/plan conferences with students whenever appropriate.
Serve as resource person in counseling the student re: course requirements (paper, project, etc.).
Contact preceptor to clarify any issues which may arise.
Participate in ongoing evaluation of a student’s clinical performance with both preceptor and
learner.
8. Determine final grade based on preceptor input, an evaluation of course requirements, and the
student's self-evaluation.
9. Evaluate agencies utilized.
Guidelines for students:
 Work under direct supervision of the nurse assigned to the patient.
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Adhere to the professional standards of nursing practice.
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Demonstrate cultural sensitivity and competence in client interactions.
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Use therapeutic communication techniques in working with clients
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Apply the principles of collaboration when working with all members of the
multidisciplinary team.
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Develop nursing care plans for clients using functional health pattern assessments, nursing
diagnoses, interventions and evaluations.
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Apply teaching-learning theory to client education.
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Discuss the principles of ethical decision making.
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Demonstrate knowledge of basic nursing skills in accordance with policies and procedures
of the Agency to include the following:
Physical assessment
Vital signs
AM care
Skin care
Positioning
Transferring
Ambulating
Ostomy and stoma care
Urinary catheter insertion
Condom catheter application
Enema administration
Urine, stool and blood glucose
testing
Chest tube care
Sputum collection
O2 saturation measurements
Oxygen administration via
nasal cannula, face mask,
nebulizer
Dry sterile dressing
Wet moist dressings
Nasogastric tube care
Gravity and pump tube
feedings
Care of urinary drainage
Care of gastrostomy tubes
Care of jejunostomy tubes
Activities that the students are not allowed to perform
During this RN transition experience students are not permitted to perform any of the following:
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IV venipuncture to draw blood
Hang blood or blood product
Administer IV push medications EXCEPT UNDER DIRECT SUPERVISION
Start intravenous lines unless certified by the clinical institution
Ambulance transport under ANY conditions regardless of mentor or other staff presence on
transport