Welcome Letter

Dear Colleague:

It is my pleasure to welcome you to the Â鶹¾«Æ·ÊÓƵ (FAU) community of preceptors, as you join our faculty in educating the next generation of nurses entering advanced nursing practice roles!

Faculty members oversee student experiences in practice areas, forming a bridge between what students learn in courses and their overall clinical experience. Preceptors form an integral link between the community of direct care providers and the University. They bring current insights into practice-related issues, orchestrate student learning in what might be called the classroom of life, and point the way to needed revisions in the curriculum of the graduate program in nursing. Without excellent preceptors, the mission of the University and the Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing cannot be achieved.

Graduate nursing education provides the academic preparation and skills necessary for role development in advanced nursing practice. Students start their inquiry into advanced nursing in classroom theory courses, followed by a step-wise integration into practice under the dual supervision of community-based preceptors and faculty instructors. The step-wise integration into practice means that students rehearse skills of decision-making and intervention in practice-oriented courses, which build upon knowledge acquired in the classroom. Thus, at the start of the practice courses, as students transition into advanced clinical and administrative nursing practice roles, they may be unsure of themselves and their abilities. Moreover, they may feel inadequate to transition from the traditional role of the nurse to advanced nursing practice. The dual oversight of the preceptor and the faculty instructor will ensure that students achieve the necessary steps of practice and make successful transitions.

We at Â鶹¾«Æ·ÊÓƵare honored to have to join us as partners in caring for our communities and thank you for your time, support, and energy in graciously agreeing to precept our advanced nursing practice students.

Sincerely yours,

Katherine Chadwell, DNP, MBMSc, ARNP, GNP-BC, CPHQ
Associate Professor
Interim Assistant Dean Graduate Practice Programs

Coming to Know the Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing

• Vision, Mission, Professional Statements and CON Program Outcomes
• Philosophy
• Graduate Curricula Overviews

Policies

General Preceptor Selection Guidelines and General Practicum Site Selection Guidelines

Student Requirements to Enter Practicum:

Requirements are validated at the beginning of each practicum semester. You can review specific requirements at the following CON website locations:

• Background Check
• Health Requirements

Self-Insurance Plan (SIP) requirements

Â鶹¾«Æ·ÊÓƵ has a Self-Insurance Program which covers all of our nursing students during practicum experiences. Please be aware that the college SIP only covers activities performed in the student role.

°¿³Ü°ùÌýÌýaccompanies all clinical contracts.

Reporting Critical Incidents

SIP reporting guidelines must be followed for all critical incidentsÌýand reported to the Assistant Dean of Graduate Practice Programs, College of Nursing by the faculty member within two working days of the event.

It is expected that all graduate students adhere to the policies and procedures of the practice site, including HIPAA regulations. Professional behavior is expected at all times. Critical incidents include errors and events in clinical settings in which there is potential/actual injury or harm to a client, staff member, or student. In the event of a critical incident in any clinical setting, the student must follow the policies/procedures of the agency as to completion of the proper documents.

In cases where the student has sustained a physical/chemical injury or has been exposed to an infectious agent, the student must follow the procedure of the institution as to the reporting of the incident and follow-up. Students are required to maintain personal health insurance and follow approved guidelines as to follow-up following injury or exposure to potentially harmful infectious/chemical agents. See the Graduate Student Handbook for additional information.

National Standards Guiding Graduate Practice Programs Curricula

Ìý(QSEN) Graduate Knowledge, Skills, Attitudes

General Evaluations Forms for Use in Practicum Courses

Some concentrations have Canvas community sites in which evaluation forms are housed. Please speak with your advisor for more information.

• Preceptor Evaluation of Students
• Student Evaluation of Preceptor
• Student Evaluation of Sites
• Student Self and Faculty Evaluation of Students
• Faculty Evaluation of Site

Graduate Practice Programs Preceptor Manual Overview

The purpose of this online manual is to provide information needed for you to successfully work with the graduate nursing student(s) you have so graciously agreed to precept.

We have provided background information on the University and the College of Nursing. Information includes the mission philosophy, and outcomes of the College. The curricula of the graduate practice programs are available on theÌýCON website. The curricula are based on the CCNE Essentials for Masters and DNP Programs and national standards/competencies specific to each concentration area. The National standards/competencies are available on the CON website. You may view the website by clicking on the following link:ÌýNational Standards.

Student, Faculty, and Preceptor Responsibilities

The following section describes general student, faculty and preceptor responsibilities. Responsibilities may vary by course and concentration. Preceptors will receive additional information specific to course and concentration at the beginning of each semester.

Student Responsibilities

1. Demonstrate the integration of a philosophy of caring in advanced nursing situations.
2. Meet all clinical entry requirements as outlined in the college clinical tracking system. Obtain faculty site and preceptor approval prior to entering any practicum site.
3. Submit signed preceptor agreement form to faculty prior to entering any practicum site.
4. Submit an electronic clinical arrangements form for each practicum site prior to entering the site.
5. The orientation to the setting is the responsibility of the student and is to be conducted before and/or during the first week of the semester. The student needs to provide the preceptor, a copy of their CV/resume, the course syllabus, evaluation tool, and a set of individualized objectives.
6. Professional attire and conduct is expected at all times:
   • If the student is unable to attend clinical related to illness, he/she is to contact the preceptor and facility in a timely manner.
   • Students are expected to report to clinical on time. Tardiness is considered unprofessional behavior.
   • A student ID and name badge must be exhibited. [see Graduate Handbook]
   • Students must maintain clinical logs as described in individual course syllabi.
7. Students are advised to maintain a copy of their clinical logs for their own records.
8. Students must complete an evaluation of the practicum site and preceptor at the end of the semester.
9. All ethical standards per the ANA code must be maintained, including client confidentiality.

College of Nursing Faculty Responsibilities

1. Assist the student in facilitating a practicum placement at the beginning of the semester; maintain contact with the facility, preceptor, and administrators as appropriate. Ensure contract in place prior students entering the site.
2. Conduct practicum site visits as appropriate; minimally one visit per semester. This visit should be scheduled in advance to ensure the time and experience. More than one visit may be required.
3. Conduct group practicum conferences as appropriate.
4. Evaluate students, preceptors and sites over the course of the semester.
5. Visit potential new sites. Notify Graduate Coordinator of sites no longer appropriate or functional.
6. Maintain collegial working relationships with preceptors and staff.
7. Be available to preceptor and student during times that student is in practicum setting.
8. If as, course faculty, you are unavailable (out of town or ill), notify the appropriate Graduate Coordinator who will assist in arranging back up faculty supervision. Students must be notified if faculty is unavailable and provided with contact information for back-up supervising faculty member.
9. For each student, submit the appropriate signed practicum hour summary sheet, student evaluations, and student preceptor/site evaluations to the Graduate Coordinator within one week of submitting course grades.

Preceptor Responsibilities

1. Maintain a current license in state of practice.
2. Complete and sign a preceptor agreement form provided by the student.
3. Conduct a joint review with the student of the learning objectives for the practicum experience. Should there be any concerns regarding the student meeting the course. objectives during the semester, the preceptor should inform the student and contact the course faculty member directly.
4. Provide adequate practicum access including facility/clinical space as appropriate to adequately facilitate student's interaction with a variety of experiences necessary to meet course objectives.
5. Actively participate and facilitate student's experience.
6. Provide an expanding scope of responsibility and accountability as the student. Progresses toward meeting and/or exceeding course objectives.
7. Participate with faculty member in evaluating student's practicum performance and knowledge base through:
   • Direct supervision, observation, and teaching of students.
   • Discussion of and critique of written documentation as well as verbal presentations as appropriate.
   • Provide written evaluation at midterm and end of the semester. Evaluation tools will be provided by the faculty member and/or student.
8. Support students in maintaining clinical logs and journals as appropriate.

Graduate Practice Programs Faculty Contacts

Graduate Program Coordinators