Module 1

Module 1 — Introduction

This module will introduce you to the requirements and guidelines for preceptors of EMSON. It will also discuss challenges and rewards, of serving as a clinical preceptor. As you work through this module, we encourage you to develop your own personal philosophy of precepting.  

When you’ve finished this module, you will be able to:

1. Examine student learning outcomes of EMSON DNP program.
2. Identify the requirements to become a preceptor for the EMSON DNP Program.
3. Self-reflect on the benefits and challenges of serving as a clinical preceptor.

Module 1 Learning Activities

1. EMSON DNP Program overview and qualifications of becoming a preceptor.
2. Watch video: “Why Precept?“
3. Self-Reflection: Preceptor Checklist.

DNP Program Overview

We’d like to familiarize you a bit with our program. As a practice-focused program for nurses who desire a terminal degree with a clinical focus, the EMSON DNP program is designed to meet the needs of students who enter with a variety of backgrounds and experience. The BSN-DNP program admits students who have completed a BSN and are licensed registered nurses. Some BSN-DNP students have had several years of experience in nursing, while others are newly-licensed. The program also admits master’s prepared nurses who have advanced practice certification. These MSN-DNP students, as practicing APRNs, do not take the specialty clinical courses. The program of study for MSN-DNP expands the leadership and quality improvement skills and competencies of the advanced practice nurse for greater career options.

The goal of the D.N.P. program is to prepare graduates who provide leadership in the application of evidence-based clinical practice and contribute to the development of nursing science through independent and collaborative participation in scholarly activities, focusing on the improvement of client care outcomes. The program is founded on the following student learning outcomes:

Upon completion of this program of study, the DNP graduate will be prepared to:

• Evaluate and utilize advanced knowledge and theories from nursing and related disciplines to solve complex health issues for individuals, aggregates, populations, and systems.
• Design, implement and evaluate strategies that promote and sustain quality improvement at the organizational and policy levels.
• Provide leadership in the transformation of health care through intra-professional collaboration, application of technology, and policy development.
• Incorporate evidence-based clinical prevention and health services for individuals, aggregates, and populations.
• Demonstrate clinical expertise, systems thinking, and accountability in designing, delivering, and evaluating evidence-based care to improve patient outcomes.

Preceptor Requirements

What are the qualifications for becoming a preceptor?

Graduate students work closely with preceptors for guided practice and faculty collaboration. Students are responsible for collaborating with faculty and EMSON officials to identify appropriate sites and preceptors by October 15 for spring courses and March 15 for summer and fall courses.

Ideally, preceptors should be doctorally prepared for DNP students.  Preceptors should be experientially prepared to guide students in the respective area of clinical course focus. Clinical experiences, sites, and preceptors will be negotiated among the student, preceptor, and EMSON officials.  Preceptors must be either a CNS, NP, DO, or MD.  DNP students are not allowed to use physician assistants (PAs) for preceptors. EMSON faculty can serve as preceptors for graduate students but not in the same section in which the faculty member is the instructor of record.  During the practicum, your student will inform you about course requirements and personal learning goals and will provide you with the course syllabus. The clinical faculty will also periodically meet with you and your student, either by phone, email, or videoconference to ensure progress toward course outcomes.

Prior to the clinical experience, student and preceptor will work together to ensure the following requirements are met: 

1. A master’s or doctoral degree, or some qualification in a specialized clinical area equivalent to master’s preparation or higher (MD, DO, NP or CNS only).
2. Unencumbered license to practice in the state in which preceptor practices.
3. APRNs must have an advanced practice license with national certification.
4. At least two years of experience in the clinical practice area.
5. Preceptors should have prescriptive authority for students who plan to apply for prescriptive authority.
6. Nature of practice must be congruent with clinical experiences needed by the student.
7. License, evidence of relevant certification, and curriculum vita must be provided to the school by deadline.
8. Student must submit a new preceptor agreement each semester, which must be signed by the preceptor.
9. The preceptor must receive approval from the school to serve as preceptor prior to commencement of the clinical learning experience.
10. An affiliation agreement with the preceptor’s clinical site must be in place.

The EMSON DNP Program link has more useful information related to our program. Also helpful is the Graduate Student Clinical Handbook (PDF).

Why Precept?

Being a preceptor can be a very rewarding experience, which comes with a lot of responsibility. With this responsibility comes challenges, which can lead to hesitancy to take on the role. As you are watching the video, Why Precept?, please take a few moments to reflect on why you precept, as well as on what brings challenges to you, as a preceptor. We hope by providing this course, we will be able to help with some of the challenges our preceptors face.

“Words will never be able to sufficiently express how grateful I am to Melissa for her willingness to be my preceptor.  Her guidance and influence will transcend far beyond our time together.  The skills and competencies that she has cultivated into my practice will serve to touch the lives of every patient I encounter throughout my career as a nurse practitioner.  I recall a Greek proverb that relates to my sentiment perfectly: ‘A civilization flourishes when its people plant trees under which they may never sit.’ I thank Melissa for planting that tree.”

Erica, FNP, DNP student

“I precept because it gives me an opportunity to share real life experience with students. Things begin to “click” in clinicals that perhaps didn’t make sense during didactic courses. I love watching their growth, and in return I also try and learn from them”.

FNP preceptor for EMSON DNP Program

Self Reflection

Look back and reflect on your previous preceptor experiences, both as a student and as a preceptor.  What have you learned as a preceptor, what have you learned from previous preceptors regarding being a preceptor, and where do you see yourself as a preceptor?

Our Preceptor Checklist is designed to familiarize preceptors with their role as a preceptor, provide information to faculty about our preceptors, and to learn what you need to be a successful preceptor.

Download the Preceptor Checklist (PDF) to use for your personal reflection.