Preceptors for M.S.N. Students

Thank you for considering serving the next generation of nurse educators as a preceptor. Many preceptors find their role very rewarding. M.S.N. students have provided insights and assisted academic and clinical education programs in achieving higher quality.

"I can’t sing XXX's praises enough for creating an amazing and useful grading rubric for our students’ care plans. Prior to this rubric, grading was very arbitrary and subjective but, with the new rubric, I can be deliberate in the grades I give and provide explanations to the students when they ask." — M.S.N. academic preceptor

The goal of the Master of Science in Nursing, Nurse Educator concentration, is to prepare licensed registered nurses for an advanced practice role to teach students in academic or clinical settings. The program outcomes meet the essentials required of master’s education (AACN, 2008) and core competencies expected of nurse educators (NLN, 2012).

Preceptors are sought in advanced clinical practice in health care facilities and in the advanced role as nurse educators in academic or clinical practice settings.

M.S.N.-Nurse Educator Preceptor Guidelines

Graduate students work closely with preceptors and faculty for guidance in achieving practicum outcomes. Positive learning experiences are more likely when students select preceptors and sites. This fosters development of networking skills in the student and assures preceptor availability at a time and geographic location suitable to the student's needs. Preceptors should hold a minimum of a master’s degree in the area of specialization (academic or clinical practice). Preceptors should be experientially prepared to guide students in the respective area of the specialty development/teaching practicum course. Faculty of the Eleanor Mann School of Nursing can serve as preceptors for graduate students but not in the same section in which the faculty member is the instructor of record.

Preceptor Qualifications

  1. Must be master's-prepared or higher; master's degree in nursing preferred for clinical practice practicum; master’s degree in nursing with an education focus preferred for academic practicum
  2. Must hold an unencumbered license to practice in the state in which they are employed
  3. Submit license, credentials and vita to EMSON
  4. For the teaching component of the practicum, the preceptor must
    • Have two years’ experience as a nurse educator
    • Be employed by an institution that educates nurses (clinical staff education or academic)
    • Be willing to facilitate student learning through supervision, mentorship and evaluation
    • Provide learning experiences congruent with course outcomes

Clinical experiences, sites, and preceptors are negotiated between the student, preceptor, and course faculty of record.

Benefits and Rewards of Being a Preceptor

We know that serving as a preceptor requires time, effort and energy, and that making the decision to precept a student requires careful consideration. It’s also helpful to know that there are benefits associated with precepting, and we’d like to share some of the benefits and rewards. These include:

  • Enhancement of your clinical knowledge
  • Positive, mutually beneficial relationships are developed with faculty
  • Networking opportunities with other nurse educators
  • Opportunity to fulfill professional responsibility
  • Opportunity to “give back” to and help shape the future of the profession
  • Opportunity to contribute to the program and learning process in a variety of ways
  • Potential for learning from graduate nursing students
  • Influence change in practice setting
  • Recognition as a role mode
  • Increased involvement in your workplace
  • Personal satisfaction from preceptor role
  • Recruitment opportunity

If you would like more information related to precepting for any of our graduate programs, please contact:

Lori Murray, D.N.P., R.N., Gero-BC, CNE
Assistant Director for EMSON graduate programs
lmm018@uark.edu

Jan Emory, Ph.D.
Coordinator for the M.S.N.-Nurse Educator concentration
demory@uark.edu

Joanna Evans
Affiliation Specialist
joannae@uark.edu, 479-575-7421