Preceptors are clinicians who supervise, mentor and educate APRN students in a range of clinical experiences needed to meet program objectives.
Preceptors may be APRNs, or physicians (DO or MD) who are licensed to practice in the state in which the clinical experience will occur. Master’s prepared Physician Assistants licensed to practice in the state in which the clinical experience will occur may precept for students in AGACNP, AGPCNP and Family NP students, but not for NNP students. A mix of preceptors supports an interprofessional experience for the student.
“Over the course of the program the student has a majority of clinical experiences with preceptors from the same population-focused area of practice in primary care and/or acute care, as appropriate, such as child, adult, or across the lifespan. In addition, over the course of the program the student has clinical experiences with an APRN preceptor and preferably an NP with expertise in the population-focused area of practice in primary care and/or acute care”
— National Counsel State Boards of Nursing [NCSBN], 2012; National Task Force [NTF], 2016
How do I become a preceptor?
The NTF and NCSBN require that all preceptors meet certain requirements, which are verified during the UConn School of Nursing's credentialing process. Please submit the following:
- Certification: Nurse Practitioner preceptors must be certified by either the AACN, ANCC or AANP in their area of population foci and have a minimum of one year of clinical experience. Physicians and physician assistants must demonstrate board certification in their area of practice.
- Education: A copy of your vitae or resume listing education and graduation from an accredited program.
- Licensure: Verification of licensure in your state of clinical practice (i.e. copy of current license as APRN, physician or physician assistant on file).
But most importantly, all preceptors must have a strong desire to teach and learn!
What are my responsibilities as a preceptor?
- Provide a mentoring and supportive learning environment for NP students
- Provide clinical instruction congruent with course clinical objectives
- Review course objectives and individual learning goals with students
- Provide ongoing feedback to students regarding their clinical performance
- Evaluate students' clinical performance at mid-term and end of semester