FAQ

• How are new preceptors oriented?
  • Graduate Specialty Coordinators will work with new preceptors to ensure they are aware of all WSU College of Nursing policies and procedures. Handbooks are available online.
  • There are online resources within this preceptor portal that may help you feel more comfortable. For example, NurseTim®, which is an online CEU resource for clinical preceptors and faculty education.
  • At the start of each semester, clinical preceptors receive a letter with the semester goals and expectations. Our goal is to ensure that we clearly communicate with you our expectations so that you to feel successful and satisfied with your clinical education experience with WSU nursing students.
  • Our Graduate Specialty Coordinators are always happy to help you feel more comfortable and confident in your role.
• Are there student clinical attendance requirements?
  • All advanced practice registered nurses have direct clinical hour requirements. The clinical hours vary based on the semester and specialty.
  • Student attendance and hour requirements are outlined in the clinical specialty handbooks.
  • Students should communicate and coordinate with their preceptor/clinical site to determine the hours they require at that site.
  • Expectations of the College of Nursing faculty are that the students are attending clinical as required and for the agreed upon hours established at the beginning of the semester.
  • Students who are not meeting these requirements should be reported to the clinical faculty of record.
• What expectations should I have of students?
  • Students should be able to clearly communicate their individual learning goals for the semester.
  • Students should behave with professional decorum and exhibit the behaviors that would be expected of a future advanced practice provider.
  • Students should come prepared to learn, demonstrate evidence-based practice approach to care according to their population specialty.
  • Students should accurately track their clinical experiences and hours.
  • Students should arrive to their clinical site with an open mind and a positive attitude, prepared to learn.
• Is there an orientation for students?

  College of Nursing-specific orientation

  • Different specialties have different orientations.
  • Students are oriented to the general expectations as a clinical learner by the College of Nursing.
  • Students are instructed that each clinical site will have site specific orientation requirements that they must complete before they can engage in clinical.

  Clinical site-specific orientation (requirements vary by clinical site)

  • The expectation is that the students will be minimally-oriented to the following before the start of clinical:
    • Identify ground rules (e.g., type of patients seen, check their findings, personal preference for reviewing patient notes, etc.)
    • Identify your precepting style.
      • Clarify how patients will be introduced to patients.
    • Establish a schedule to meet the clinical hour requirements for the semester.
    • Electronic Medical Record or documentation system.
    • Introduce to the support staff and other providers they may work with.
    • Clinical scheduling should be shared, including if you have plans to be away from the site that would impact student hours.
  • Changes in schedule from the student or the preceptor requires direct communication lines.
    • Expectation of the student, if there is a problem or change in their schedule, is to let their preceptor know as soon as possible.
      • Students should let clinical preceptors know at the beginning if they have planned time away from school.
      • Students should let the clinical preceptor know as soon as it safe if they have an emergent issue that may impact their arrival at the clinical site.
• What should I do if I have concerns about the performance of my student I am precepting?
  • If there are concerns, the preceptor should first have a direct conversation with the student.
  • Discuss individual learning goals with the student on an ongoing basis.
    • It is important to clarify expectations at beginning, middle and end of clinical semester precepted experience.
• What if my suggestions to my student are ignored?

  If, after speaking with the student, the student continues with the same behaviors, you should address your concerns to the clinical faculty and/or the appropriate Graduate Specialty Coordinator.

• What should I do if I have concerns about my student’s professional conduct?

  Concerns should be directed to the clinical faculty and/or the appropriate Graduate Specialty Coordinator. The contact information is provided in the clinical specialty handbooks.

• What is expected from clinical faculty?

  The College of Nursing is committed to the education of our students with the best preceptors available. Thus, we want to support our preceptors and be available for problem-solving.

  Clinical faculty are expected to maintain contact with both the student and the preceptor during the clinical experience.

  We will address student problems as they arise. We view the tripartite relationship of student, clinical preceptor and clinical faculty as necessary for a clear assessment of the issue and develop a clear plan for resolution.

• The majority of my practice is culturally diverse. How can I help the student become competent in dealing with different cultures?
  • The WSU College of Nursing is known for its commitment to and impact on urban health and our students are provided excellent learning experiences on diverse cultural populations.
  • Students have received formal educational preparation working with diverse population.
  • We rely on our clinical preceptors to provide feedback to the College of Nursing specialty programs if there are issues related to student interaction with diverse patients.
  • The WSU College of Nursing views preceptors as clinical education partners. If you have any specific ideas and tools to share with student(s) on diverse cultural settings, please feel free to share with the students and the WSU Clinical Specialty Coordinator.
• What if a student is injured while doing a clinical with me?

  Please inform the Graduate Specialty Coordinator for the student immediately. If a student is injured at the clinical site, the Student Injury Policy must be followed, which includes completion of a  Student Injury Form.

• How do I establish an excellent clinical learning environment?
  • Be an “askable” clinical educator, but don’t always give them the answer.
    • Ask: What do you think is going on?
    • Engage the student in a learning conversation.
  • Hold students accountable to an evidence-based approach.
    • Ask: What led you to that conclusion?
    • Ask: What do the guidelines suggest would be best for this client and diagnosis?
  • Provide students with context.
    • When this occurs, you may want to also consider…
  • Provide praise for what was done right—
    • You did an excellent job…
  • Correct mistakes immediately
    • When this happens, try this…
• How to be an Excellent Preceptor: 7 Habits of Highly Effective Preceptors

   

  1. Orient the student to the facility, policies/procedures, EMR/EHR, and introduction to the staff.
  2. Establish a schedule to meet the clinical hour requirements for the semester.
  3. Provide space/room/facilities as needed for the student’s clinical experience.
  4. Participate in student instruction one-to-one while serving as an expert, role model, and consultant during clinical experience.
  5. Discuss individual learning goals with the student on an ongoing basis.
  6. Provide the student with clinical experiences to meet the clinical learning objectives and provide feedback to the student about performance and progress on an ongoing basis.
  7. Perform and document a formal evaluation at midterm and semester end evaluation of the students clinical and professional performance.
     • Notify clinical faculty immediately of any problems arising from the student’s behavior or performance.
     • Be available for a program clinical faculty site visit(s).