The preceptor guides the student in the practical application of clinical knowledge and the use of clinical reasoning. The preceptor provides opportunities for the student to engage in the clinical management of a specific patient population.

Preceptors should:

• Review the clinical and personal student objectives and preceptor schedule with the student
• Maintain overall supervision of their students during the clinical experience
• Students are able to work with a variety of providers (MD, NP, CNS, LCSW, or PA)
• Provide the student with opportunities to perform history and mental/physical assessments, diagnose, conduct procedures, present patients and develop plans of care
• Provide daily and timely informal feedback
• Sign off on time logs weekly in Typhon
• Complete midterm and final student evaluations in Typhon
• Report any concerns to the clinical faculty as soon as possible

The student integrates the roles, responsibilities and clinical decision making inherent in the NP role through active participation in the precepted clinical experience.

Students should:

• Complete onboarding or orientation for the assigned site
• Review clinical and personal objectives with the preceptor
• Arrange schedule with preceptor input, put the schedule in Typhon and notify the preceptor and clinical faculty of any changes
• Perform history and mental/physical assessments, diagnose, conduct procedures, present patients and develop plans of care as directed by the preceptor
• Complete prescribed number of clinical hours and document accurately in Typhon
• Complete all assignments listed in the syllabus
• Document patient encounters in clinical site EHR, as per clinical site policy
• Enter case logs and full case notes in Typhon as stated in the syllabus
• Complete evaluations of preceptor and site in Typhon when clinical experience is completed
• Report any issues to clinical faculty as soon as possible

VCU Policies for Student Conduct

Students are required to abide by all VCU policies, including the University Honor System, student dress code and student behavior policy in instructional settings. The School of Nursing expects students to consistently present, through appearance and attire, a positive public image of both nursing and the VCU School of Nursing. General appearance should contribute to effective educational and patient care environments and reflect a high standard of comportment at all times. Regardless of attire, a VCU ID badge must be worn in all clinical or clinically related situations.

The clinical faculty member provides oversight for the student’s educational experience. The clinical faculty member works in collaboration with the preceptor and the student to ensure the student has appropriate exposure to a specific patient population and is progressing appropriately.

Clinical faculty should:

• Initiate contact with the preceptor and orient preceptor to the learning objectives for the student's experience
• Maintain regular communication with the preceptor, and act as the first point of contact for any concerns (this may include a site visit when deemed appropriate and necessary)
• Monitor student's progression including number of hours completed and written assignments
• Ensure preceptor and student evaluations are completed in a timely manner
• Evaluate the quality of students' clinical experiences and provide feedback to the program
• Determine final grade of student
• Report any unresolved issues to the concentration lead and/or program director