Graduate Nursing Preceptor Letter

Dear Nurse Executive Leadership Preceptor,

Thank you for agreeing to be a preceptor for a Miami University graduate student nurse! We are grateful to you and your organization for the time and guidance that you provide for our graduate nursing students during their practicum courses. Preceptors play a pivotal role in the education of graduate nurses. Your assigned faculty and student will contact you to make arrangements for connecting with you and scheduling practicum hours. 

What we need before student can begin clinical hours:

Before your student can begin their practicum rotation, we ask that you please complete the Preceptor Verification/Agreement Form.

This form is required to ensure you meet the minimum qualifications to serve as a preceptor for a graduate nursing student. It should not take more than 10 minutes to complete. Please have your CV/Resume and any other professional licensure if applicable  available as you will be asked to submit this information. 

Once the form is complete and your qualifications are verified, your student can begin completing their practicum hours. Please note that as a preceptor you will be providing both direct observation and guidance and indirect oversight of the student’s collaboration with others within the organization. 

Forms to be completed by Practicum Preceptor

Roles and responsibilities of preceptor: 

1. Orient students to facility by providing them with an understanding of leadership/organizational structure.
2. Verify student practicum hours and complete provided evaluation forms at intervals as outlined in the course syllabus.
3. Use constructive feedback on strengths and weaknesses, and a plan for improvement.
4. Model Professionalism/ethical behaviors for student learning.
5. Guide, counsel and encourage active student learning throughout the experience.
6. Encourage learning using direct questioning methods and allowing reflection on feedback.
7. Analyze the role of the nurse executive and the administrative decision-making process within a selected health care environment.
8. Include the observed areas of practicum, financial, human resources, innovation, return on investment, recommendations, outcomes expected and culture of the institution. 
9. Observe and develop an understanding of the scope of practice for the nurse leader.
10. Observe and clarify how the nurse leader's role in decision-making collaborates within the senior leadership level and the shared governance structure.
11. Use concepts of economics, cost benefit analyses and business models to set priorities and measurable goals.
12. Collaborate effectively to manage change/improvement projects in health system practicum.
13. Foster a culture of inquiry, innovation and transformation with a focus on the future.

Roles and responsibilities of student:

1. Prior to the first day of practicum, the student will:
   • Discuss and receive faculty approval of practicum outcomes prior to meeting with the preceptor or attending practicum,
   • Meet with the preceptor to arrange the practicum schedule which will remain in effect for the entire semester unless approved by the course faculty,
   • Work with the preceptor to develop practicum competence in progressive ways,
   • Discuss practicum outcomes to be achieved by completion of the practicum experience,
   • Provide the faculty member and preceptor with a copy of the practicum schedule, and
   • Complete the preceptor/student agreement form
2. Throughout the semester, the student will:
   • Meet with the faculty for evaluation of practicum performance,
   • Complete practicum hours weekly,
   • Develop knowledge and skills in the defined area of nursing practice,
   • Contact the preceptor and negotiate according to agency policies and experiences available, possible learning experiences and work schedules,
   • Articulate clear learning objectives,
   • Identify and communicate learning needs to the preceptor to facilitate selection of appropriate learning activities and strategies,
   • Plan orientation with the preceptor,
   • Use problem solving and critical thinking to adapt scientific knowledge to the practicum practice area,
   • Understand the roles of preceptor, student, and faculty in the practicum rotation experience,
   • Use the preceptor as an immediate resource in the practicum area,
     Consult the faculty member as a resource in meeting learning objectives and in problem solving,
   • Seek appropriate learning opportunities throughout the practicum experience,
   • Work with the preceptor to develop practicum competence in progressive ways,
   • Request instruction, supervision, clarification, and assistance when required,
   • Demonstrate responsible, accountable, and ethical behaviors,
   • Develop respectful collegial relationships,
   • Perform only those interventions and actions that are within the realm of the student’s competency and scope of practice,
   • Seek feedback from the preceptor when necessary,
   • Complete written student comments on the mid-term and final student practicum performance evaluations,
   • Adhere to agency policies and procedures,
   • Provide preceptor with feedback related to student’s self-assessment of progression, and
   • Participate in course evaluation

Roles and responsibilities of Miami Faculty:

1. The faculty member will be available the semester preceding the practicum to discuss possible practicum sites with the Graduate Clinical Placement Coordinator.
2. The faculty member will:
   • Obtain names of the preceptors and the nature of the practicum arrangement,
   • Assist with orientation of the preceptor and student as to roles and functions of involved parties and course requirements,
   • Articulate/clarify the roles of the preceptor, faculty and student as needed,
   • Ensure that the student’s practicum placement will promote the achievement of learning goals and objectives
   • Approve the practicum schedule,
   • Be available for weekly consultations with the preceptor and student by telephone or visit
   • Act as a resource person to both the student and the preceptor,
   • Provide feedback to the preceptor and student concerning the practicum experience when appropriate,
   • Meet with the student to discuss practicum performance and attainment of practicum outcomes,
   • Meet with the preceptor to discuss the student's practicum performance and attainment of practicum outcomes
   • Support and guide the preceptor and student in accomplishing learning objectives throughout the practicum experience,
   • Assist in problem-solving,
   • Assist the preceptor with student evaluation as needed,
   • Provide student with mid-term and final practicum evaluation,
   • Ensure the preceptor’s data is on file at Miami University and that the preceptor is provided written acknowledgement of her/his role in the students’ learning experience,
   • Assist in course evaluation, and
   • Complete final documentation of outcome of practicum experience and submission to the Nursing Office or to the coordinating faculty member