Students must identify a potential preceptor and determine if the individual is interested in working with them. If so, students must find out whether this individual meets the qualifications to serve as preceptor. Instructions on how to nominate a preceptor are provided later in the “Forms to Complete in Meditrek” section. Students should contact the nursing field experience coordinators as soon as they identify a possible preceptor—and no later than the start of their second term—to determine if the preceptor and site meet the requirements. Students should evaluate potential preceptors early by emailing nursingfield@mail.waldenu.edu to obtain feedback about whether the nominee is an acceptable preceptor candidate.
Preceptor Requirements
Prior to approval, the nominated preceptor’s licensure and certification (if applicable) is verified and reviewed; the curriculum vitae or resume is reviewed; and the Preceptor Commitment Form is evaluated by the Office of Field Experience. The specialization coordinator gives final approval of preceptor nominees. Approval of the preceptor is based on the following criteria:
- The preceptor nominee holds a master’s or doctoral degree in nursing.
- The preceptor nominee is currently a registered nurse with an active, unencumbered license to practice professional nursing in the state where the practicum will take place.
- The preceptor nominee has a minimum of 1 year of postgraduate unsupervised experience and current job role relevant to the MSN specialization The 1 year of experience is based upon the original date of licensure for licensed practitioners.
- The preceptor nominee is able and willing to commit to the preceptor role for the practicum experience.
- The preceptor nominee is employed at the practicum site where practicum takes place.
- The preceptor nominee 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.
- The preceptor is not the student’s direct or immediate supervisor, does not report directly to the student.
- The preceptor nominee must not be a current student in a Walden MSN Specialty Program.
Important Note: If it is found that a student’s preceptor is a supervisor, direct report, relative, family member, fiancé, roommate, significant other, personal friend, primary care provider of the student, or any other relationship that would be considered a conflict of interest. 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 that could result in a sanction up to and including dismissal from the university. Students are responsible for nominating preceptors that fully meet all requirements for preceptors.
Please refer to the “Course-Specific Requirements” section for more course-specific requirements for preceptors.
Note: Approval of the preceptor must occur prior to the student starting the practicum course and logging hours. Students cannot begin logging practicum hours until their practicum application is fully approved, and they have been registered for the course.
Use of the Same Preceptor for Multiple Practicum Courses
Except where otherwise noted, students must use different preceptors for their different practicum courses. Each practicum course has different requirements. It is unlikely that one preceptor will have the expertise in each separate and distinct focus for students to acquire the appropriate training. It is important to remember that this is students’ opportunity to learn; selecting a preceptor who meets only the minimum requirements may result in an inadequate experience.
Supplemental Preceptors
Students may need additional preceptors in order to meet all the requirements for the course including logging all the required hours and/or requirements. If students need to precept with multiple preceptors to meet the course requirements, then they have an option to nominate another person as their supplemental preceptor, provided the supplemental preceptor nominee fulfills the requirements. When students complete their practicum application, they must provide a fully completed application for both their preceptor nominee and their supplemental preceptor nominee. Applications for supplemental preceptor nominees must be submitted by the application deadline. If students need to submit a supplemental application for a supplemental preceptor after the application deadline or during the term, they must go through the waitlist to submit a waitlist application. Applications for supplemental preceptors go through the same review process as other applications and the same policies and requirements apply.
In some cases, there may be someone who would be an ideal preceptor, but they do not meet all of the requirements. For instance, an individual may be a nurse but not have a master’s degree in nursing. A preceptor candidate may be a healthcare informatics specialist but not a nurse. If students find themselves in this situation, then they have an option to nominate the person as their supplemental preceptor, provided they also nominate a preceptor who fulfills all qualifications applicable to preceptors. The co-preceptor assists the preceptor; both ensure that the quality of the practicum work is at the master’s level and relevant to nursing.
Note: Supplemental preceptors must be approved in Meditrek® prior to students logging hours with supplemental preceptors.
