Preceptor Training
RN to BSN
Required Module for UVA Practicum
Nursing Faculty and Preceptors
Presentation Overview:
• Board of Nursing Regulations about Preceptor
Use
• Roles and Responsibilities for Course Professor,
Practicum Faculty, Student, Preceptor
• Professional Standards for Students
• Getting Started and Phases of the Experience
• Important Resources for Preceptors (Checklist)
Preceptors:
• Serve as the on-site practicum teacher,
mentor, and professional role model,
• Link the classroom to the practicum
setting, and
• Enhance the profession by helping
create excellent new nurses!
Commonwealth of Virginia
Board of Nursing Regulations
18VAC90-20-95. Preceptorships
A.
Clinical preceptors may be used to augment the faculty and enhance the clinical
learning experience. The clinical preceptor shall be licensed at or
above the level for which the student is preparing.
B.
C.
When giving direct care to patients, students shall be supervised by faculty or
preceptors as designated by faculty. In utilizing preceptors to supervise students,
the ratio shall not exceed two students to one preceptor at any given time.
Faculty shall be responsible for the designation of a preceptor for each student
and shall communicate such assignment with the preceptor. A preceptor may
not further delegate the duties of the preceptorship.
Commonwealth of Virginia
Board of Nursing Regulations
18VAC90-20-95. Preceptorships
A.
B.
Clinical preceptors may be used to augment the faculty and enhance the clinical
learning experience. The clinical preceptor shall be licensed at or above the level
for which the student is preparing.
When giving direct care to patients, students shall be supervised by faculty or
preceptors as designated by faculty. In utilizing preceptors to
supervise students, the ratio shall not exceed two students
to one preceptor at any given time.
C.
Faculty shall be responsible for the designation of a preceptor for each student
and shall communicate such assignment with the preceptor. A preceptor may
not further delegate the duties of the preceptorship.
Commonwealth of Virginia
Board of Nursing Regulations
18VAC90-20-95. Preceptorships
A.
B.
C.
Clinical preceptors may be used to augment the faculty and enhance the clinical
learning experience. The clinical preceptor shall be licensed at or above the level
for which the student is preparing.
When giving direct care to patients, students shall be supervised by faculty or
preceptors as designated by faculty. In utilizing preceptors to supervise students,
the ratio shall not exceed two students to one preceptor at any given time.
Faculty shall be responsible for the designation of a preceptor for each student
and shall communicate such assignment with the preceptor. A preceptor
may not further delegate the duties of the preceptorship.
Commonwealth of Virginia
Board of Nursing Regulations
Preceptorships shall include:
 Written objectives, methodology, and
evaluation procedures for a specified
period of time;
Commonwealth of Virginia
Board of Nursing Regulations
Preceptorships shall include:
 Written objectives, methodology, and evaluation
procedures for a specified period of time;
 An orientation program for faculty,
preceptors, and students;
Commonwealth of Virginia
Board of Nursing Regulations
Preceptorships shall include:
 Written objectives, methodology, and evaluation
procedures for a specified period of time;
 An orientation program for faculty, preceptors, and
students;
The performance of skills for which the
student has had faculty-supervised
clinical and didactic preparation; and
Commonwealth of Virginia
Board of Nursing Regulations
Preceptorships shall include:
 Written objectives, methodology, and evaluation procedures
for a specified period of time;
 An orientation program for faculty, preceptors, and students;
 The performance of skills for which the student has had
faculty-supervised clinical and didactic preparation; and
 The overall coordination by faculty who assume
ultimate responsibility for implementation,
periodic monitoring, and evaluation.
Preceptors Show and Share:
Knowledge
Effective communication and
collaboration
Reasoning and problem-solving skills
Care, compassion, and professionalism
Leadership
Precepting in the
RN to BSN Program
Synthesis practicum
7 one-hour practicum conferences with
course faculty
49 hours with preceptor
Course Professor Responsibilities
 Overall responsibility for ensuring that
students meet the course objectives.
 Assigns final course grades.
 Resource as needed for practicum faculty and
preceptors in problem solving student issues.
 Contributes to preceptor evaluation, including
reviewing student evaluations of preceptor.
Practicum Faculty Responsibilities
Serves as a resource to student and preceptor
 Is available to preceptor and student by phone or e-mail as
needed.
 Contacts the preceptor 2 to 3 times during the practicum as
mutually negotiated or arrange a visit if necessary to make
sure the practicum is progressing as planned and the student
is focused on the practicum and personal objectives.
 Assumes primary responsibility for problem solving student
issues.
 Contributes to preceptor evaluation.
Practicum Faculty – cont.
Ensures that practicum objectives are met
 Assists students in establishing appropriate objectives
for practicum, based on opportunities in the practicum
setting, student strengths and deficits, and general
program objectives.
 Guides the preceptor and student in the selection of
alternative learning experiences when appropriate to
support achievement of learning objectives and
facilitates these experiences.
 Meets with students in 7 scheduled Practicum
Conferences.
Practicum faculty – cont.
Assesses student performance for practicum component of
the course grade
 Reviews all student logs.
 Assesses student’s knowledge through discussions in
the practicum conferences.
 Works with the course professor to assess course work
by the student that relates to the practicum experience.
 Seeks feedback from the preceptor about student
performance and professionalism.
Preceptor Responsibilities
Provides guidance to students
 Assists student to develop 3 learning objectives that focus on the added value of a
BSN education. Objectives are individualized to the student’s interests. Exs may
include role development, leadership, professionalism, comparing and contrasting
clinical settings for strengths and areas of improvement (ex: healthy work
environment, Interprofessional teamwork)
 The RN to BSN student is a licensed nurse and is not in the practice setting to learn
basic nursing skills (basic assessment, administering meds) / leadership (charge
nurse, delegation). Given the limited time in the practicum setting and the focus
on other objectives, RN to BSN students will not complete institutional mandatory
requirements for medication administration (PYXIS) and computerized charting
(EPIC).
 Immerses and engages students in practicum experiences to facilitate meeting
individual and course objectives
Preceptor – cont.
Assists in the assessment of student performance
 Gives verbal feedback to the student at the end of each
practicum day, following performance of procedures,
and as needed.
 Completes a written evaluation of student performance
at midterm (if needed) and at the end of the semester
that includes anecdotal feedback.
 Informs practicum faculty of student progress as well as
issues and concerns related to student performance.
Preceptor - cont.
Assists the student to revise his/her
objectives for the practicum experiences
 Notes progress toward meeting
established objectives.
 In collaboration with practicum faculty,
identifies additional practicum
experiences to meet the student’s needs
and enhance learning.
Student Responsibilities
Establishes individual objectives
 Uses course objectives as a guide.
 Appropriately identifies own areas of strength
and deficits.
 Collaborates with faculty and preceptor as
needed in setting objectives.
 Collaborates with preceptor to revise objectives
as the particular practicum experience proceeds.
Student Responsibilities
Schedules practicum hours
 Contacts preceptor to determine a schedule
for completing the required hours for the
practicum experience.
 Informs practicum faculty of the schedule.
 Informs preceptor and practicum faculty of
any change to the schedule.
 Attends practicum conferences.
Student Responsibilities
Utilizes practicum faculty and preceptor
appropriately
 Abides by ANA code of ethics and standards of
practice at all times.
 Maintains self in student role vs. RN provider of
care.
 Seeks guidance when needed.
 Acknowledges deficits and responds to feedback.
Student Responsibilities
Participates in evaluation processes
Evaluates self using reflective practice.
Provides feedback to the preceptor,
practicum learning site, and faculty
(standardized tools administered via
Collab/course computer survey)
Practicum Schedules
The student develops the practicum
schedule based on the preceptor’s
established work schedule.
Faculty should be apprised of changes
in the student’s schedule.
Professional Standards
• Preparedness
• Attendance and Punctuality
• Proper Attire – to be decided with preceptor.
– Business casual / Unit designated uniform.
– STUDENT ID must be worn when in the role of student
(NOT place of employment ID).
•
•
•
•
Professional Demeanor
Time Utilization
Confidentiality
Abides by ANA Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice
Preparedness
The student is consistently prepared
to engage in practicum activities.
Preparation includes physical,
emotional, cognitive, and material
readiness to enter the practicum
setting in order to expand knowledge
and skill acquisition.
Attendance and Punctuality
 The student arrives on time for all practicum
conferences and practicum learning
experiences.
 Students are required to be present for each
practicum experience arranged.
 Absences: In the event of serious illness, the
student should inform the practicum faculty
and preceptor.
Professional Attire
 The student is professionally attired for
all experiences on the unit as delineated
by the institutional/unit requirements.
 The student ID is required when in the
student role.
Professional Demeanor
 The student maintains a professional
demeanor during all practicum experiences.
 The student does not bring personal issues
into the practicum experiences.
 The student maintains professional
boundaries at all times.
Legal and Personal Limits
The student:
 Recognizes learning needs and actively seeks to fulfill
identified learning needs outside of practicum
(consultation with the preceptor, practicum or course
faculty.
 Maintains accountability for all actions.
 Uses practicum time to focus on and enhance learning.
 Maintains confidentiality.
 Abides by ANA Code of Ethics and Scope of Practice
Administering Medications
 RN to BSN students are not in the practicum
setting to learn the administration of
medications.
 Due to limited time in the practicum setting, RN
to BSN students are not assigned NetLearning /
Institutional competencies for medication access
and documentation. Therefore, these tasks, if
they present, should be completed by the
preceptor who has medication access and
documentation privileges.
Preceptor Basic Check-list
Course Syllabus
Faculty contact information
Student contact information
Learning objectives for the student’s
experience
The Student-Preceptor
Relationship
Orienting phase
Working phase
Closing phase
Getting Started!
Meet and learn about one another
 student background
 preceptor background
Establish trust
Clarify roles and expectations
Review and determine the schedule
Working phase
 Teach, mentor and coach the student
during practicum activities
 Stimulate reasoning skills
 THINK OUT LOUD!
 Challenge the student to think deeply
and ask questions
 Encourage reflection
Closing the experience
 Participate in the evaluation process by
providing feedback to the practicum
faculty.
 Facilitate closure with mutual positive
regard.
 Consider the possibility of your ongoing
role as a professional mentor!
Thank you for viewing this preceptor
orientation module!
Please submit your current CV to
Abby Self at abbys@virginia.edu
More information and resources available online:
http://www.nursing.virginia.edu/people/preceptors/
Questions?
Contact the Academic Program Director or Coordinator or Office of Academic Programs
(434) 924-0099 ● djm@virginia.edu