Chamberlain College of Nursing defines preceptors as qualified individuals who work one-to-one with senior students in the clinical area to promote attainment of student learning objectives. Preceptors are currently licensed registered nurses who have at least two years of experience, one of which must be in the area of clinical specialty for which the preceptor is used. Preceptors are not nursing program faculty, do not need to meet Missouri State Board of Nursing minimum qualifications for faculty, and are not considered when determining faculty/student ratios.

Students are responsible for finding appropriate clinical preceptors. Preceptors are utilized only in senior nursing courses and serve as role models, mentors, and/or direct supervisors of students in the clinical area. Preceptors do not replace faculty, but work closely with faculty in facilitating student success. Nursing program faculty maintain the responsibility for final student evaluation.

Course faculty are responsible for developing guidelines specific to their course for preceptor use. Additional guidelines and faculty responsibilities for utilization of preceptors in all courses include:

• Faculty will discuss with agency personnel the coordination of clinical and identification qualified preceptors.
• Each preceptor will be provided with a copy of the course syllabus, designated course outcomes of the course in which the student is enrolled, and directions on how to assist the student in meeting these outcomes.
• Faculty will meet with the student and preceptor to discuss the student’s progress, ensure communication between the College and clinical site, and exchange ideas and/or suggestions to better achieve course outcomes. These meetings can occur by telephone, chat room, and/or e-mail exchanges.
• The preceptor will provide written documentation of student progress in demonstrating designated course outcomes for the purpose of evaluation.
• Course faculty, incorporating data from discussions with the student and preceptor and preceptor written documentation, will provide the final student evaluation and assignment of performance rating or grade.
• Faculty are responsible for obtaining the clinical contract between Chamberlain College of Nursing and the healthcare facility.
• Faculty are responsible for having students sign a state of confidentiality and the statement of responsibility.
• Faculty will ensure that students have documented knowledge concerning blood borne pathogens.

In order to be consistent with preceptor policy and provide clarification of roles, the following responsibilities are identified:

Course Faculty Responsibilities:

The course faculty member will:

• Assume responsibility for the over-all coordination of the student’s clinical experience.
• Provide preceptor with course syllabus, designated course outcomes, and directions on how to assist students in meeting these outcomes.
• Establish communication between clinical preceptor and student.
• Be available to clinical preceptors to discuss any issues that may arise.
• Counsel with clinical preceptor and student during the course.
• Meet with the student and preceptor to discuss student’s progress and exchange ideas and/or suggestions to better achieve outcomes. These meetings will occur by telephone, chat room and/or e-mail exchanges.
• Maintain responsibility for the final evaluation.
• Provide the student with the opportunity to evaluate the clinical experience.
• Discuss with preceptor any information from student concerning ways to improve the clinical experience for future students.

Clinical Preceptor Responsibilities:

The clinical preceptor will:

• Orient student to the clinical practice setting including identification of facility policies and procedures.
• Serve as a role model as a practitioner, teacher, and mentor.
• Supervise the student in the clinical practice setting.
• Critique the student’s ability to provide organized and safe nursing care.
• Provide suggestions that will assist and improve student performance to achieve course and clinical outcomes.
• Contact course faculty member concerning any issues that may arise.
• Be available to the student at all times or provide for a back-up preceptor in case of absence from the clinical area.
• Provide an on going written documentation of student progress in meeting designated course outcomes for the purpose of evaluation.
• Assist course faculty with the formal evaluation of the student’s progress at the end of the clinical experience.

Student Responsibilities:

The student will:

• Adhere to all hospital or clinical facility policies and procedures.
• Adhere to all College policies and procedures identified in the College Catalog and/or Student Handbook. Failure to exhibit integrity, ethical conduct, or professional standards may warrant dismissal from the College.
• Establish with preceptor the Clinical Contract and successfully complete the terms established within it.
• Collaborate with course faculty and clinical preceptor concerning learning goals for this clinical experience.
• Comply with health and other professional requirements of the clinical facility prior to the start of the clinical experience.
• Dress in a professional manner consistent with clinical facility guideline and be clearly identified as being a student.
• Comply with the restriction of not taking verbal orders from physician or give medications without preceptor supervision.
• Be prepared to work in the clinical setting in a safe manner that demonstrates professional standards and arrive at the agreed time.
• Attend all established clinical days, or notify clinical preceptor of absence and establish clinical make-up experience.
• Demonstrate any specialty skills or assessment requires the presence of the preceptor (i.e. ECG interpretation, fetal heart monitoring, hemodynamic monitoring, etc.)