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EDUCATION
Preceptor expectations and issues with nurse practitioner clinical rotations
Article first published online: 19 OCT 2010
DOI: 10.1111/j.1745-7599.2010.00560.x
©2010 The Author(s) Journal compilation ©2010 American Academy of Nurse Practitioners
Issue
Journal of the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners
Volume 22, Issue 11, pages 573–579, November 2010
Additional Information
How to Cite
Brooks, M. V. and Niederhauser, V. P. (2010), Preceptor expectations and issues with nurse practitioner clinical rotations. Journal of the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners, 22: 573–579. doi: 10.1111/j.1745-7599.2010.00560.x
Publication History
- Issue published online: 5 NOV 2010
- Article first published online: 19 OCT 2010
- Received: March 2009;accepted: June 2009
- Abstract
- Article
- References
- Cited By
Keywords:
- Nurse practitioners;
- preceptors;
- precepting;
- faculty roles;
- site visits;
- clinical placements
Abstract
Purpose: The purpose of this study was (a) to identify nurse practitioner (NP) preceptor expectations of university faculty members and students, (b) to understand the best methods of communication between university faculty members and the preceptors, and (c) to elicit issues for improvement for the precepting experience.
Data sources: This study was a cross-sectional descriptive design. A survey was sent to all clinicians who precepted NP students from the University of Hawaii from 2003 to 2004 (n= 108).
Conclusions: The response rate was 67% (28% males and 72% females) with a mean age of 46.3 years. Sixty-eight percent of the respondents were NPs, 28% were doctors, and 4% were nurse midwives. The majority of preceptors expected two site visits per semester (51%), that faculty members should observe two patient visits with students (57%), and 65% said the first site visit should occur in the first 4 weeks of the semester.
Implications for practice: Conducting an assessment of preceptor's issues and expectations of faculty site visits can improve relationships with preceptors and secure and maintain clinical placements for NP students. Recommendations include improving communication, establishing guidelines for site visits, and periodic assessment of progress in preceptor–student relationships.