Infographics: A Novel Approach to Improve Faculty-Preceptor Communication

Area of Science:

• Nursing Education
• Advanced Practice Nursing
• Clinical Preceptorship

Background:

• Barriers in nurse practitioner (NP) education include communication challenges and time constraints for preceptors.
• Traditional orientation methods in NP primary care programs often fail to provide preceptors with clear expectations.
• Preceptors report ongoing uncertainty regarding their roles and responsibilities in precepting NP students.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and evaluate an innovative strategy to enhance clarity on preceptor expectations in NP primary care programs.
• To address preceptor uncertainty by providing accessible and clear information regarding NP student clinical practicums.

Main Methods:

• Gathered data through preceptor-faculty interactions, including surveys, site visits, and focus groups.
• Developed infographics for each of the three clinical practicum courses in the NP primary care track.
• Infographics were designed to clearly outline expectations for the precepted experiences.

Main Results:

• Preceptors reported a higher likelihood of reviewing the infographics.
• Infographics were kept accessible throughout the semester, leading to increased clarity on expectations.
• Preceptors experienced a greater understanding of their role and the students' learning objectives.

Conclusions:

• Implementation of infographics significantly improved understanding of practicum expectations for both preceptors and NP students.
• This visual tool effectively addressed preceptor uncertainty and enhanced the overall precepted experience.
• Infographics represent a valuable resource for improving NP student education and preceptor support.