THANK YOU
Welcome to Saint Luke’s College of Health Sciences at Rockhurst University!
Preceptors have a profound impact on a student’s education journey and their career development. Dedicated health care practitioners like you who contribute to our students' educational process are critical to the success of our program.
We strive for patient- and family-centered care and want preceptors to assist our students in developing a holistic view of the patient and understanding multiple aspects of effective care delivery.
I appreciate your dedication to training our future nurse practitioners.
Thank you for your support and dedication as a preceptor at Saint Luke’s College of Nursing at Rockhurst University!
Sincerely,
Barbara Ludwig, EdD, MSN, RN
Assistant Professor of Nursing Director of Graduate Nursing Programs
EXPECTATIONS OF THE PRECEPTOR
- Serve to bridge the gap between theory and practice.
- Assist the student to become oriented with the health care facility, as well as organizational policies and procedures.
- Serve as a role model for the student by demonstrating appropriate behavior and providing timely and appropriate feedback.
- Create and maintain an open and safe learning environment.
- Determine appropriate assignments or tasks for the preceptee.
- Facilitate and evaluate learning for the preceptee.
- Collaborate with the preceptee and Clinical Faculty to ensure expectations are being met.
As a preceptor, you play multiple roles, such as:
- Teacher
- Coach
- Leader/Influencer
- Facilitator/Socialization agent
- Evaluator
- Protector
- Role Model
Expectations of the Student
- Arrive on time and take breaks at an appropriate time
- Review personal goals for the precepted experience with the Preceptor, and revise if needed
- Determine an appropriate work schedule and complete precepted dates as scheduled. Dates & hours selected must not conflict with classes or other clinicals
- Be dressed in the Rockhurst nursing uniform unless scrubs are required for the agency or unit. Any time students are on hospital property, they must be in the complete (and appropriate) student uniform or hospital-issued scrubs
- Demonstrate an attitude of cooperation and willingness to learn
- Establish rapport with clients & families
- Work as a team member
- Demonstrate effective communication with clients, staff members, and the Preceptor
- Follow all hospital regulations and guidelines for practice
- Immediately report any adverse events or outcomes (to Preceptor, Unit manager, & Clinical Faculty or Clinical Coordinator, depending on the issue)
- Seek new learning experiences, and request help when needed
- Accept guidance and suggestions with a positive attitude
- Improve in skills, knowledge, and understanding of the professional nurse role
- Notify the Instructor, Clinical Faculty, and Preceptor of emergency changes in schedule
Important Information Before the First Day
It is important to cover the following items with the student prior to the start of clinicals, or during your first clinical meeting.
- Clinical shift schedule.
- Required dress code based on student handbook and facility policy.
- Parking policy
- ID badge
- Computer access/training
- Expectations regarding timeliness, professionalism, preparedness, etc.
- Clinical absence policy and expectations
- Current skill level and position in course progression
- Clinical objectives and goals. (Course and clinical objectives will be provided by Clinical Faculty to guide the students clinical experience.)
Clinical Preparation
Each hospital organization may differ regarding the orientation process for nursing students. Please coordinate with Clinical Faculty and agency to ensure proper student orientation. On the first day of the rotation, students need to be oriented by the preceptor to the important hospital areas and the nursing unit. Pertinent unit procedures regarding PPE and COVID-19 guidelines should be reviewed before the student engages in patient care.
Necessary documentation
All documentation needed for preceptors will be handled by either the hospital agency or the nursing administration office at Rockhurst University. We recommend preceptors check their email frequently to ensure that further documentation or information is not needed.
Setting expectations, goals, and objectives
- Course and clinical objectives will be provided by Clinical Faculty and should guide the student’s clinical experience.
- At the beginning of the clinical experience, the student and preceptor should sit down and discuss the clinical objectives. The preceptor should also inquire about other goals or objectives the student has for their clinical experience. This information helps the preceptor plan the clinical experience and provide learning opportunities and student-specific instruction.
- The preceptor should also be aware of the student’s current skills and knowledge base as it pertains to the clinical setting. Using the program plan of study and previous clinical objectives, the preceptor can gain an understanding of the skills and experiences the students are already equipped with.
Evaluation Process
Formative Evaluation
A crucial role of the preceptor is being an evaluator. Providing feedback to students is necessary for their learning and growth. As a preceptor, on the first day of the clinical experience, prepare the students that feedback will be provided often throughout the precepted experience. By providing consistent, constructive feedback throughout the clinical experience, surprises can be avoided at the time of the summative evaluation.
Summative Evaluation Process
At the end of the clinical experience, an evaluation will be performed based on the clinical objectives and the clinical evaluation tool that will be provided to you. Clinical Faculty will detail when the midterm and final evaluation must take place, as well as how to use the clinical evaluation tool. All clinical assignments must be completed in order for the final evaluation to take place.
SEMESTER I
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This introductory course examines the role of advanced practice nurses as influenced by social, cultural, political and economic forces. Issues present in the changing health care environment are examined for quality and patient safety initiatives to improve patient outcomes. The ethical dimensions are legal parameters for advanced nursing practice are investigated. (3 credits)
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This introductory course examines the role of advanced practice nurses as influenced by social, cultural, political and economic forces. Issues present in the changing health care environment are examined for quality and patient safety initiatives to improve patient outcomes. The ethical dimensions are legal parameters for advanced nursing practice are investigated. (3 credits)
Preceptor FAQs
Each course has associated clinical course objectives to help guide you and the students during the preceptorship. Contact the Clinical Faculty Advisor for any additional questions related to the clinical outcomes.
Preceptors have the opportunity to provide feedback on the student’s performance. Preceptors will complete evaluations at the end of the rotation.
Students must complete various requirements as outlined by Rockhurst University, including physical exams, background checks, immunization verifications, drug screenings, etc. Students are also expected to meet any specific requirements for their clinical rotation site, if relevant.
Please contact the Faculty Advisor immediately if you become concerned or notice that a student is not meeting expectations.
Contact the student’s faculty advisor immediately. Students are required to notify the preceptor and faculty advisor immediately in the case of an emergency or situation that would result in absence.
The student should report the incident to your agency and follow the internal procedure. The incident should also be reported to the Program Coordinator.
Please notify the student and clinical placement team so that an alternative plan may be made.
Please notify the student as soon as possible and have the student notify the faculty advisor.
Please notify the Placement Specialist as soon as possible and have the student notify the Placement Coordinator.
Yes. All clinical rotations are associated with a specific course and Clinical Faculty Advisor. Clinical faculty will reach out to preceptors 2-3 times during a rotation. Faculty will connect with the preceptor within the first 3 weeks followed by a midterm and end of semester contact. Clinical faculty will be available to meet more often as needed to answer any questions or concerns that arise.
As a Rockhurst preceptor, you will be working with nursing students that have been educated at the highest level of academic excellence. Additionally, you will help advance the careers of nursing professionals and give back to the profession in which you yourself received mentorship.
There are no requirements for the frequency of preceptorship. We are grateful for the value you provide in each preceptorship. Many preceptors take students intermittently.
The time commitment varies by course and program. We are grateful for any hours as a preceptor you can provide.
