Nurse Leader Perspectives on Precepting in a Graduate Nursing Administration Practicum

To describe practicum experiences as perceived by nurse leader preceptors of graduate students in a nursing administration practicum.

Practicum experiences in graduate nursing administration programs provide students with exposure to the real-life experiences of nurse leaders, bridging the gap between academic knowledge gained and the application of that information to the workplace. The literature lacks best practices for graduate nursing administration practicum experiences.

Eight nurse leaders were interviewed using a semistructured format. Data were transcribed and subjected to selective thematic analysis.

Five themes were identified: professional and personal growth, transition of education into practice, academic partner engagement and support, time, and contributions to the organization.

Leadership practicum experiences provide a real-world perspective and are an essential part of growing future nurse leaders. This study yielded invaluable insight from nurse leader preceptors, recommendations for structuring graduate nursing administration practicums, and implications for sustaining resilient academic-practice partnerships.