Preceptors are those clinicians that will supervise, mentor and educate the APRN student in a range of clinical experiences needed to meet the program objectives. Preceptors may be APRNs, or physicians (DO or MD) that 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, 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).

The NTF and NCSBN require that all preceptors meet certain requirements. Verification of the preceptor requirements is completed by credentialing of preceptors with the SON. This will include submission from the preceptor verification of:

• Certification: Nurse Practitioner preceptors must be certified by either AACN, ANCC or AANP in their area of population foci and have minimum of one year of clinical experience. Physicians and physician assistants must demonstrate board certification in their area of practice.
• Education: copy of vitae or resume listing education and graduation from an accredited program.
• Licensure: Verification of licensure in state of clinical practice (i.e. copy of current license as APRN, physician or physician assistant on file).