Preceptor Orientation For the Nurse Practitioner Program

We appreciate your agreeing to precept our nurse practitioner students Collaboration and leadership are important parts of the student learning experience

Precepting Overview For an overview of Precepting and the Preceptor Role, please see the slide set “Clinical Preceptorship: Shining the Light Toward the Future” By Sandy K. Calhoun Diffenderfer, PhD At this same Website location.

Preceptor Information What is a preceptor for our NP program? An appropriately credentialed healthcare provider who will oversee the student’s clinical experience Board Certified Physician or Nurse Practitioner with a minimum of 1 year experience Other credentialed professionals as deemed appropriate by the faculty

Agency Restrictions Students are not allowed to have a clinical placement in the department in which they work. Students need to be in clinical areas that reflect the types of patients that coincide with their course work. Clinical sites need to have a large enough patient volume to assure a broad-base for learning.

Clinical Expectations Clinical course hours vary for each clinical course. Each student must meet established clinical requirements and competencies through a formal clinical experience in primary care or specialty area, as designated in each course. Always keep in mind the student’s level in the program. Is this a beginning student or is s/he ready to graduate? Students should see a minimum of six patients per day that meet the requirements for their clinical course. More advanced students may be able to manage several more patients per day A daily log of patients seen will be kept by the student.

Expectations of students and clinical preceptors The student should arrive on time and when scheduled. If a student has to be absent or late, they should let their preceptor and clinical faculty know before they are absent or late. Students should be dressed professionally, have their own stethoscope, name badge, lab coat if required, and necessary reference guides. Preceptors should let the student know of any change in their schedule as early as possible.

Medical Records We expect our students to manage the health care of clients within current legal, ethical, and professional standards that meet accepted standards of care. Students must have access to the patient’s full medical record, including electronic medical records. Nurse practitioner students are expected to formulate a working diagnosis and treatment plan, then report their findings to the preceptor. This helps the student develop critical thinking and decision making skills.

Patient Experience Early in the clinical rotation, students should be interviewing and examining patients independently. To facilitate learning, we ask you to allow the student to gather patient information, assess the patient, determine diagnosis(es), formulate a treatment plan, and present to you for discussion. The preceptor is asked to provide and expect increasing levels of independence as the student becomes more experienced in the setting. We expect that you will see notable progression, growth, and skill development over the semester.

Contacting Clinical Faculty Each student has a designated clinical faculty member, responsible for overall student supervision, clinical coordination, and evaluation of student performance. We encourage you to contact us if you have any questions or concerns about student performance, skills and competencies, or your role as a preceptor. Your student’s clinical faculty contact information (phone number and email address) is included in information provided to you by the student.

Student Evaluations and Progress Reports The Preceptor Mid-Semester and Final Student Progress Report and the Faculty Evaluation are available on line. Your student should provide you with a copy of these evaluation forms at the beginning of the semester. A form stating that you have received the packet will be included. Please sign this form and give it to your student at the beginning of the clinical experience. Clinical preceptors will not grade student work; faculty strongly consider the preceptor’s evaluation in determining the student’s grade.

Preceptor’s Form for Evaluating NP Student Performance Below Standards Consistently has traits circled in this column. Requires detailed assistance Needs Work Sometimes has traits circled in this column. Requires moderate assistance Average Consistently demonstrates traits circled in this column. Requires minimal assistance Above Average Always demonstrates the traits circled in this column. Requires no assistance

We value your comments which will help our students to grow! Don’t forget to sign & date!

Faculty Visits to the Clinic Site A faculty member from the ETSU CON will make a clinical site visit during the student’s clinical rotation. The faculty member directly observes the student’s interaction with the patient. This includes review of the patient’s medical record, patient history, and physical exam. The student then reports their findings to the preceptor and formulates a working diagnosis and treatment plan. The plan will include any medications, change in medications, treatments, health promotion strategies, cultural and socioeconomic considerations, and patient follow-up.

Faculty Visits to the Clinic Site Faculty do not examine patients. The faculty member will talk with the preceptor at the end of the visit regarding how the student is progressing in the clinical setting. Additional clinic site visits will be made for students who need additional support, who are not performing to the expected level of practice competency, or for whom the preceptor has communicated concerns to the faculty member.

Faculty Evaluation Key elements of the faculty member’s evaluation of student performance include: Professional demeanor and behavior Thorough, accurate & relevant H&P Critical assessment with corresponding appropriate diagnosis(es) and treatment plan Appropriate and safe pharmacological management Evidence-based practice Preceptor and patient communication Use of professional references

Evaluations Mid-term and final evaluations are needed. Students need to know how they are progressing relative to meeting course requirements, outcomes, and clinical expectations. We would like preceptors to go over the evaluation with the student and provide feedback. Preceptors should consider the student’s level in their NP program and their past experience as an RN. Students also evaluate their preceptor and their experience in the clinic setting.

Nurse Practitioner Preceptors You can receive credit toward your re-certification as an NP by serving as a preceptor. The Coordinator of Graduate Clinical Programs and Clinical Affiliations keeps a record of the hours NPs precept each semester. If you would like a copy of the preceptor record, please call Amy Bower at 439-4531 or bowera@etsu.edu.

Questions? If you have any questions or concerns, our phone numbers and email addresses are included in the information provided to you by the student. We value your communication. Please feel free to call the College of Nursing clinical faculty at any time. Please fill out and return the Preceptor Signature Form (next page). Thank you for all you do to facilitate our NP students’ growth and expertise!

Preceptor Signature Form I, __________________ have received the ETSU College of Nursing Preceptor Orientation Packet for nurse practitioner students. Student Name _____________________________ Preceptor Signature _________________________ Practice Site Name __________________________ Date ____________________