The preceptorship experience offers the student a special clinical tract during their final semester of nursing school. The clinical experiences are completed in a variety of clinical areas working with an assigned RN preceptor. The RN preceptor must meet the Ohio Board of Nursing’s Rules and Regulations requirements. Faculty believe precepting experiences assist in the transition of the nursing student into the practice setting after graduation, which ultimately produces a better prepared graduate nurse.
To assist the RN in the role of the preceptor, the following pages of information have been developed. In addition, the course coordinators and/or clinical coordinator are available to answer questions regarding objectives of precepting experience, clinical behavior outcomes and student/preceptor responsibilities.
Student nurses are accountable for their own actions and must be aware of their own limitations. They are responsible for communicating their abilities and limitations to each preceptor, thus seeking appropriate assistance as needed. Student nurses are NOT licensed RN’s; therefore, it is imperative that ALL policies relating to student limitations be followed during clinical experiences. Each student has successfully completed two nursing skills lab courses prior to the assigned experiences and is responsible for communicating clinical strengths and weaknesses to the assigned RN preceptor prior to starting their clinical experience. Progression will be identified weekly with the evaluation phase of the experience and documented on the Preceptor Evaluation Tool.
As the student functions in their patient care management role, they are permitted to perform most of the duties of the RN. Some activities may be performed independently (i.e. assessments, vital signs, hygiene measures, activity, oral nutrition, etc.) while other activities require total supervision at all times (i.e. IV procedures including PRN flushes, validating medications and documentation of care). Supervision of activities that students are independently able to perform are at the discretion of the RN preceptors as they work with the student and become comfortable with the student’s level of knowledge, understanding and competence.
Preceptors are asked to assist in the evaluation of student activities and progress. This feedback is accomplished by utilizing the Preceptor Evaluation Tool provided by the student for the specific experience (an example is included in this packet). Comments should include the student’s strengths and weaknesses related to the assignment. This will assist the instructor(s) in the evaluation of the student’s achievement of the course and clinical objectives.
The student’s clinical performance will be graded as satisfactory/unsatisfactory. The final decision is the responsibility of the course coordinator(s); however, input from the RN preceptor is highly valued and critical to the evaluation process. Students will be supervised intermittently by course faculty who will assist the student and RN preceptor as necessary.
This is a learning experience for students. As you know, the students cannot be expected to know how to do everything. Whatever the RN preceptor can do to decrease the student’s anxiety level will benefit everyone, since learning takes place best in a non-threatening environment. As an RN preceptor, the students and instructors view you as the expert in your practice, and believe that you have a great deal to offer in the learning process.
