Preceptor expectations and issues with nurse practitioner clinical rotations

The purpose of this study was (a) to identify nurse practitioner (NP) preceptor expectations of university faculty members and students, (b) to understand the best methods of communication between university faculty members and the preceptors, and (c) to elicit issues for improvement for the precepting experience.

This study was a cross-sectional descriptive design. A survey was sent to all clinicians who precepted NP students from the University of Hawaii from 2003 to 2004 (n= 108).

The response rate was 67% (28% males and 72% females) with a mean age of 46.3 years. Sixty-eight percent of the respondents were NPs, 28% were doctors, and 4% were nurse midwives. The majority of preceptors expected two site visits per semester (51%), that faculty members should observe two patient visits with students (57%), and 65% said the first site visit should occur in the first 4 weeks of the semester.

Conducting an assessment of preceptor's issues and expectations of faculty site visits can improve relationships with preceptors and secure and maintain clinical placements for NP students. Recommendations include improving communication, establishing guidelines for site visits, and periodic assessment of progress in preceptor-student relationships.