Roles and Responsibilities for Students, Faculty, and Preceptors in Clinical Learning Experiences

Program Faculty

Hold the primary responsibility of meeting the intended program outcomes pursuant to the institution’s accreditation standards. Further, faculty are responsible for the evaluation of student outcomes that include the faculty, student, and preceptor, as well as the experience and setting of the clinical rotation. Program faculty will need to clearly communicate to the Clinical Preceptor the level, the intended clinical progression, and outcome objectives for the clinical rotation of the nurse practitioner student during each clinical rotation experience thus affording the student meaningful clinical experiences that will develop the students’ comfort in practice and clinical competency Regular communication with the Clinical Preceptor is pivotal to ensure the curriculum is being effectively delivered and student outcomes are met. (Adopted from AACN)

Clinical/Practicum Preceptor

A clinical preceptor for a nurse practitioner student provides guidance to help students develop appropriate skills and clinical judgment in assessment, diagnostic reasoning, and treatment of patients in clinical settings during a designated time frame. A practicum preceptor for a nursing education student provides guidance to help students develop knowledge and skills in teaching methods in a variety of setting, learner assessment and program evaluation. A preceptor is also responsible for evaluating the performance of the student’s ability to fulfill predetermined clinical objectives.

The clinical/practicum preceptor displays the following characteristics:

• Is an interested, experienced individual who supports the expanded role of the nurse.
• Is physically present in the clinical/practicum situation with adequate time for consultation and works on a one-on-one basis with the student.
• Is committed to the concept of the team approach in the delivery of health care or learner education.
• Is responsive to the needs of the student.
• Facilitates achievement of the student practicum objectives by identifying learning experiences for the student including assistance in patient selection or educational opportunities, conferences, rounds, agency meetings, and encourages the student’s participation in these learning experiences.
• Reviews all patient-related findings of the student on an ongoing basis to assure accuracy, appropriateness of referrals, and that documentation is complete and co-signed.
• Conferences with the student as necessary to assess progress and learning needs.
• Conferences with the instructor in the MS-Nursing program whenever there is a concern regarding the student’s clinical/practicum performance.
• Evaluates the student’s performance during and at the completion of the practicum and/or rotation. (Adopted from Galeski)

Nurse Graduate Student

Holds the primary responsibility of communicating with the program faculty and clinical/practicum preceptor in preparation for and throughout the clinical/practicum experience rotation. The student is responsible for meeting all institutional and clinical/practicum practice site health and regulatory requirements to include confidentiality, HIPAA, security clearance as required by each clinical/practicum site. Students share their learning needs and objectives of the clinical/practicum experience that is approved by the program faculty. (Adopted from AACN)