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Qualifications
Graduate
preceptors are used primarily in the master’s and post-master’s programs to
facilitate clinical learning. Specific roles and responsibilities vary somewhat
by specialty area and course.
The
graduate preceptor has a:
- master’s
degree, post-master’s certificate, or doctoral degree in fields relevant to
the preceptor role,
- current
South Carolina licensure in discipline,
- certification
in appropriate area(s),
- and
practices in a setting that provides clinical experiences appropriate for the
development of the student’s skills.
Appointment
Agreement
Preceptor
agreements are individual contractual arrangements for a particular supervisor
and a particular student. They are
negotiated each semester for each clinical course. Arrangements may be initiated by the individual student or by
the faculty member, depending upon the major and course. Preceptor agreement
forms vary by department. Forms are to be completed, signed by the student,
faculty member, preceptor, and, when relevant, agency representatives. Completed agreement forms are to be filed in the Office of Student
Services of the College by second clinical week of the semester. Students who
use multiple preceptors need to file a preceptor agreement for each preceptor.
Students who negotiate an agreement with someone who has not previously served
as a College of Nursing preceptor needs to ask the preceptor to complete a copy
of the Preceptor Information Form or obtain a copy of the preceptor’s
curriculum vita, as indicated by the course faculty.
Orientation
Orientation
to the preceptor role varies by course and preceptor background. The course objectives and desired learning experiences are included in
the preceptor agreement. In addition, preceptors are typically provided with
copies of the syllabus brochure and the student evaluation form. Faculty may
elect to meet with new preceptors to orient them and advanced practice students
are expected to help define and communicate their own learning goals and needs
to the preceptor. Any preceptor who needs additional direction should contact
the faculty member, as indicated on the preceptor agreement form.
Preceptor Evaluation of Students
Students
are expected to take copies of evaluation forms to preceptors and ask them to
complete the evaluation of their clinical practice and return the form to the
faculty member by the final week of the clinical experience.
Faculty may additionally choose to telephone periodically or visit the
site to talk with the preceptor. Preceptors should communicate at any point with
the faculty member if they have concerns or questions regarding the student
experiences or performance.
Preceptor
Evaluation
The
University and College of Nursing have policies and procedures that require
faculty to make provision for anonymous evaluation of teachers of students.
Because the preceptor is in a sense an extension of the teacher in clinical
courses, it is also necessary to provide the student with the opportunity to
evaluate the preceptor. These evaluation materials are used primarily for group
evaluations of satisfaction with precepted clinical experiences and to identify
trends in student responses. No one has general access to the evaluation data.
Course faculty will know how students evaluate their experiences and they
use this information in planning future clinical placements. Feedback is
provided to the preceptor when it is considered appropriate for the faculty
member.
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