How to Become a Preceptor
Our primary goal as an academic institution is to find the best clinical placement for each student.
This involves incorporating the student’s level in the program and the type of experience they need to achieve competency.
Steps
- Initial Contact
Email the clinical placement specialist, Christy Cheesman, at cheesmancm@vcu.edu if you are interested in precepting a student for a clinical practicum. Email the Nursing Leadership and Organizational Science Program lead, Audrey Roberson, Ph.D., at aroberso@vcu.edu if you are interested in precepting a student for a leadership practicum. Any information you can share regarding your practice, patient population, hours and locations will help create a strong preceptor-student match.
- Student Assignment
Approximately 6-8 weeks before the start of every semester, students are assigned to clinical sites based on their interest, educational needs and location. All placements are approved by the concentration leads for appropriateness to overall student progression.
- Practicum Assignments
Practicum assignments are made in advance of the start of the semester to ensure students have completed all your organization’s required onboarding and training.
- Confirmation of Placement
Once placements are approved, you will receive an email from the placement specialist with the student’s name and contact information. Please confirm with the placement specialist that you are still able to take a student.
- Planning the Schedule
Once confirmed, students are allowed to contact you to start planning their schedule. Students are expected to work with your schedule. If there are difficulties in students obtaining their hours, we will work with the student to identify additional options.
- Pre-Semester Preparation
Prior to the beginning of the semester, you will be contacted by the faculty or concentration lead and will receive the course syllabus, course objectives and expectations.