How will I find a clinical preceptor for my online RN-BSN program?
Share
We're glad you like it!We'd appreciate it if you tell us why you like the article by commenting. We're sorry that this article wasn't useful to you.
Why don't you help us improve by commenting?
Lorry Schoenly, PhD, RN is a nurse writer and educator with over 25 years of experience. She has been certified in five different clinical specialties including critical care and emergency nursing. Starting as an associate degree registered nurse, she continued her schooling in traditional and distance-learning settings to obtain a BSN, MSN, and PhD in nursing while working full-time and raising a family. Lorry teaches nursing in a variety of settings including webinars and online nursing courses.
One of the challenges of an online nursing program can be locating an effective clinical preceptor experience. Each online school has specific requirements for the precepted portion of the program so first obtain these requirements from your school. Once you have discussed the requirements and options with your faculty advisor, you can begin researching sites within driving distance.
Create a list of the local clinical facilities that meet your school’s requirements and research each organization to locate the person in charge of clinical education. This information may be found on their website or you may need to call and ask for their name. Smaller organizations may have a nurse manager who is in charge of orienting new staff. Larger facilities will have education departments with several nurse educators. Generally speaking, you are more likely to have success with a larger facility as they will have more staff and resources.
A good way to locate a clinical preceptor, if the school allows it, is to find an excellent role model within the facility in which you are currently working. You may know someone who works on a different unit or could ask for advice from the education staff. Facilities are often willing to make accommodations, especially if you agree to continue working there after licensed.
Whatever avenue you take, be sure to make the most of your precepted experience. There is great value in learning from an experienced peer. You are investing your time (and tuition) in the experience. Reap the many benefits of your efforts and those of the nurse willing to be a part of your education.
