Preceptors must be academically and experientially qualified to serve as a preceptor. Preceptors must meet the preceptor requirements to be eligible to be approved as a preceptor. Once a preceptor is identified, students must communicate with their potential preceptor and determine if the individual meets the requirements for their practicum course.
Instructions on how to nominate a preceptor are provided in Section 6: Practicum Approval Process.
Students should contact the Office of Field Experience with questions about qualifications and requirements of preceptors and practicum sites.
Note: Walden discourages students from paying preceptors, practicum sites, or site placement agencies, due to conflicts of interest that can arise.
Preceptor Requirements
Prior to approval, the nominated preceptor’s experience, education, licensure and certification (if applicable) is verified and reviewed along with the Preceptor Commitment Form by the Office of Field Experience. The specialization coordinator gives final approval of preceptor nominees.
NOTE: These are general preceptor requirements for all specializations and courses. Some state boards of nursing have specific requirements for preceptors and practicum. Students must check with their state board of nursing for specific practicum requirements of preceptors to ensure students are meeting their state board of nursing requirements along with Walden requirements.
Approval of the preceptor is based on the following criteria:
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General Requirements:
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The preceptor has a minimum of one year of postgraduate unsupervised experience, based upon the original date of licensure for licensed practitioners. Their current job role must be relevant to the NP specialization.
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The preceptor is able and willing to commit to the preceptor role for the practicum experience.
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The preceptor is employed at the practicum site where practicum takes place.
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The preceptor is not the student's relative, family member, fiancé, roommate, significant other, personal friend, or primary care provider, and does not have any other relationship that would create an actual or perceived conflict of interest.
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The preceptor is not the student's direct or immediate supervisor and does not report directly to the student.
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The preceptor must not be a current Walden nurse practitioner student.
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The preceptor has not reached the maximum number of approved students for the 1:1 preceptor to student on-site direct supervision ratio during the term. Students must confirm with their preceptor that they will be the only student the preceptor will precept during the practicum experience.
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Course-Specific Requirements: See the “Course-Specific Preceptor, Site and Practicum Requirements” section to review specific requirements for each nurse practitioner practicum course.
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Educational Level Requirement: Preceptors must have the education degree.
Preceptors must also meet the educational level requirements for the specific practicum course. See the “Course-Specific Preceptor, Site and Practicum Requirements” section to review specific education requirements for each practicum course.
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General Educational level requirements include:
- AGACNP, AGPCNP, FNP, PNP: holds a master’s or doctoral degree in nursing.
- PMHNP or Psychiatrist: holds a master’s or doctoral degree in area of practice and licensed to practice in their specialty.
- MD or DO: holds an earned doctoral degree.
- PA: holds a master’s or doctoral degree.
- Psychiatrist: holds an earned doctoral degree in area of practice, licensed and board-certified in psychiatry.
- Psychologist: holds an earned doctoral degree.
- Licensed Clinical Social Worker; Licensed Mental Health Counselor/Professional Counselor; or other appropriately licensed/certified mental health professional: holds a master’s degree in the area of mental health.
- Licensure & Certification Requirements: Preceptors must have an active, unencumbered license to practice in the particular area of specialization and in the specific state where practicum will occur and where the patients are located. Preceptors must also meet the licensure and certification requirements for the specific practicum course. See the “Course-Specific Preceptor, Site and Practicum Requirements” section to review specific licensure and compliance requirements for each practicum course.
- General Licensing and Certification Preceptor Requirements Include:
- Nurse Practitioners: The preceptor is currently a registered nurse to practice as an NP in the particular area of specialization. The preceptor has national certification in an area of advanced practice nursing specialization (i.e., FNP; AGACNP; AGPCNP; PMHNP; certified nurse midwife [CNM]; adult, women’s health, or pediatric NP).
- MD or DO: The preceptor is licensed as an MD or DO to practice medicine in the particular area of specialization.
- PA: The preceptor is licensed as a physician’s assistant.
- Psychiatrists: The preceptor is licensed as an MD or DO to practice medicine and is board-certified in psychiatry.
- Psychologist: The preceptor is licensed as a psychologist.
- Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Licensed Mental Health Counselor/Professional Counselor, or other appropriately licensed/certified mental health professional: The preceptor is licensed by the appropriate state board in the particular area of specialization.
More information: Preceptor to Student Ratio
If it is found that a student’s preceptor is a supervisor, direct report, relative, family member, fiancé, roommate, significant other, personal friend or primary care provider, the practicum hours will be rejected and not counted toward the practicum hour requirement. If a student utilizes a preceptor inappropriately as noted above, this may lead to an academic integrity violation up to and including dismissal from the university. Students are responsible for nominating preceptors that fully meet all requirements for preceptors.
Note: Please refer to the “Course Specific Requirements” section for more course-specific requirements for preceptors.
Important Note for Preceptor and Site Requirements
To learn the role of the nurse practitioner, it is required that at least two preceptors be NPs in an area of practice clearly relevant to meeting the objectives of the NP program/specialty. The two NP preceptors must cover two separate practicum courses. Having two NP preceptors for one course does not meet this requirement. Following are additional preceptor requirements:
- Students may only use the same preceptor for two of their four practicum courses.
- Students cannot use the same preceptor at the same practicum site when they are doubling up practicum courses during the same quarter.
