nurse with patient
nurse with patient

PRECEPTOR RESOURCES

Practicum Preceptor Overview

If you’re considering becoming a practicum preceptor, we first want to say thank you. Students enrolled in the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree program’s Nurse Practitioner (NP) tracks at Chamberlain gain valuable experience through their clinical practicum courses. As you are aware from your own experiences, the key to making a practicum robust and meaningful is a thoughtful preceptor.

It’s important that you understand your role before you agree to become a preceptor. Please review the information below and if you have any remaining questions, contact the experiential learning coordinator at cusiteservices@chamberlain.edu.

Preceptor Role and Responsibilities

  • Collaborate with Chamberlain faculty to promote student success in the practicum courses
  • Orient the student to the practicum site environment, policies and procedures
  • Identify suitable experiential opportunities that align with the course outcomes and needed skills by the conclusion of the practicum course
  • Serve as mentor for students in professional development
  • Provide direct supervision of the student’s practicum practice hours and constructive feedback about their performance in the practicum
  • Protect from disclosure all personal student identifying information or records of student’s participation except as set forth by an agreement or required by law
  • Refrain from unlawful discrimination based on gender, age, race, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, political affiliation or belief, or disability
  • Provide feedback to Chamberlain as requested

What You Need to Know about Chamberlain MSN-NP Practicums

As a preceptor, you’ll work in collaboration with a course faculty member and the student, enhancing the depth of a student’s advancement of nursing practice in academic, clinical and health policy environments.

Serving as a role model for the student, you’ll enable them to see and experience what an expert Nurse Practitioner does on a daily basis, while encouraging the student to ask questions. You should challenge, guide and direct the student in a collaborative process to design an evidence-based practice change initiative based on scientifically rigorous and clinically significant research. Fundamental to this process is your willingness to share professional values, beliefs and skills while incorporating legal, ethical and professional practice standards.

You’ll also develop a professional and collaborative relationship with the student. This connection is built upon mutual trust and open communication. Like patient assessment, you should assess the student’s learning needs and style.

In addition to role modeling, you’ll assist the student in grasping the contextual realities of the practice environment. While topics such as time management and prioritization are frequently emphasized in the classroom, the practicum environment brings these skills to life. The student hones the skill of prioritizing patient and family needs, while integrating caring and learning into the day’s routine. Doing this makes the routine of a flexible and changing environment more comfortable and manageable. You’re expected to support the student in acquiring the needed skills and experiences to fulfill the outcomes for the course.

Honorary Clinical Instructor

This status and title can be claimed during the period of time the preceptor or mentor is approved to work with a Chamberlain student and will remain in effect as long as 20 hours of service are maintained each calendar year.  This is an honorary status, which is given without payment, and does not make the preceptor or mentor an employee or agent of Chamberlain. Any questions may be directed to the Chamberlain Experiential Learning Coordinator.

Preceptor Weekly Activities

All practicum activities must be completed during a seven week period. Please note that these activities are not optional and not completing these activities according to the schedule could be harmful to the student’s learning and their final grade.