Contribute to Excellence in Nursing
Behind every nursing student is a skilled preceptor. Preceptors mentor and train future nurses, so that they may better care for our communities. Our goal to make the precepting experience valuable and beneficial to both you and the student, with as little disruption to your clinical flow as possible.
Interested in becoming a preceptor? Please complete the College of Nursing Preceptor Form or email Leslie Minion at Leslie.Minion@nurs.utah.edu.
What is a Preceptor?
- A preceptor is an experienced practitioner who teaches instructs, supervises, and services as a role model for a student or graduate, for a set period of time, in a formalized program
- Preceptors provide valuable teaching and learning experiences and role models safe patient care using evidence-based practice
- Preceptors provide a toolbox of resources and guides new practitioners in adapting to unit culture
Significance of the Preceptor
- Preceptors are often the most significant link in the orientation of new practitioners
- Preceptors play a dual role as both educator and practitioner
- Preceptors build the bridge that takes new graduates from the educational environment to the clinical workforce
- Preceptors may be the first role mode that new practitioners see
The Benefits of Preceptorship
The College of Nursing is able to offer benefits to individuals who contribute substantially to the education and training of our students by extending adjunct faculty status to them. If you are interested in applying to be an adjunct faculty member, please contact: Dr. Lauri Linder (lauri.linder@nurs.utah.edu).
Precepting Roles
- Complete all required documents related to the preceptorship including preceptor fillable PDF with license number, experience, and the like
- Orient student to the practicum setting, organizational policies, and key personnel
- Discuss learning needs related to learning outcomes of the course with faculty and student
- Provide teaching and supervision during the practicum for the student
- Serve as a role model and guide
- Assist student in professional development with opportunities to assume their clinical role
- Demonstrate collaboration in the practicum setting
- Provide feedback to the student throughout the practicum regarding the student’s performance
- Provide student the opportunity to integrate evidence‐based practice in the practicum experience
- Complete student evaluation form and submit at mid‐semester and at end of semester
- Assist student with identification of learning outcomes for the course
- Provide preceptor with appropriate course materials
- Provide preceptor with information and expectations for student performance
- Facilitate student orientation with the agency
- Initiate interactions with preceptors regarding student progress in practicum
- Monitor student progress in achieving learning outcomes and providing ongoing feedback
- Evaluate student’s achievement and progress in relation to practicum learning outcomes with input from the preceptor, student journal, and clinical log (if applicable)
- Make at least one contact to each preceptor/student pair during the practicum. Contact may include but it not limited to telephone consultation, in‐person, or technology‐supported site visits
- Identify and evaluate practicum sites for appropriateness of learning experiences
- Evaluate preceptor(s) at practicum site(s)
- Verify student completion of practicum evaluation forms
- Provide preceptor with the evaluation form at the beginning of the rotation
- Clearly identify learning needs and outcomes with faculty and preceptor
- Maintain professional appearance and behavior throughout practicum experience
- Establish mutually agreeable schedule for the practicum time with the preceptor
- Arrive at practicum prepared to perform in accordance with the assigned course learning outcomes
- Follow all policies and procedures established at the practicum site and the College of Nursing Policy & Progression Manual
- Keep the preceptor informed about learning activities
- Ask assistance with new or unfamiliar procedures/learning activities
- Communicate appropriate learning experiences with faculty and preceptor on a regular basis
- Seek feedback regarding practicum progression
- Maintain accurate records of practicum time and experiences
- Complete the clinical log and/or other required course documents at designated intervals as specified in course syllabus
Preceptor Profile
This form allows us to collect the data we are required to collect to maintain our accreditation. We need every preceptor to complete it when they begin precepting for us.
You do not have to fill it out every time you take a student. However, it would be helpful if you fill it out again if any information changes (job changes, receiving new/additional credentials, and the like).
Complete the Preceptor Profile Form