Support and mentor advanced practice nursing students

There are almost too many reasons to count! First, becoming a preceptor for the NP programs at Franklin University is a great opportunity for experienced advanced practice nurses to give back to the profession by literally paying it forward to the next generation of nurses. And because preceptors are role models and mentors to aspiring nurse practitioners (NPs), as a preceptor, you can make a real difference in someone’s nursing career just by being an inspiration and influence.
 
Second, by training new APRNs, you’ll play a crucial role in increasing access to care and improving healthcare outcomes for patients. Finally, precepting helps you keep up with the new skills and changes that occur in nursing. So, you’ll not only help someone else learn, you’ll be learning yourself from students who are continually exposed to the latest knowledge and techniques in the nursing profession.

Because preceptors work closely with Franklin’s clinical supervising faculty to ensure that NP students achieve clinical course outcomes, the following are required of our preceptors:

1. Licensure and Experience: Preceptors must hold a current, unencumbered state license as an APRN, physician, physician associate (PA), licensed clinical social worker, psychologist, or licensed professional counselor, and have at least one (1) year of experience in an area of practice relevant to the student’s clinical needs.  
2. Advanced Degree: Nurse preceptors must hold a master’s or doctoral degree. 
3. National Certification (as appropriate): NPs who act as preceptors require national certification, however DOs and MDs do not.
4. CV/Résumé: Franklin University faculty approve all preceptors, so a curriculum vitae/résumé and a copy of the license (and certification as appropriate) are required.

Franklin’s preceptors for the nurse practitioner program are expected to invest a reasonable amount of time in guiding and mentoring NP students. Most clinical courses consist of  75-150 hours over a 12- or 16-week trimester. Students are expected to consistently attend clinical throughout the term, which includes a minimum of 8 hours on-site each week.

Yes. Preceptors for the nurse practitioner program may contact the clinical supervising faculty member assigned to the student’s clinical experience. Preceptors also receive an introductory email from the clinical supervising faculty at the beginning of the trimester. Plus, there are one or two virtual (i.e., Zoom) site visits each term between the nurse preceptor and the clinical supervising faculty.

Every nurse practitioner student has competencies on which they’re expected to focus throughout a trimester. To guide preceptors with respect to student expectations during each clinical rotation, Franklin has a progressive algorithm that you should find very helpful.

Franklin’s nurse preceptors are asked to complete both a midterm, as well as a final or summative clinical evaluation of their mentees. The midterm evaluation is formative and meant to provide opportunities for growth. Ideally, the final evaluation is given on the last day of clinical rotation. It is intended to summarize the NP student’s overall performance and growth. These evaluations are provided as guidance to the faculty member responsible for grading the student. 

Franklin prefers that our students have a 1:1 relationship with their preceptor. You may precept other students when the Franklin student is not present at the clinical site.

Although you are not paid a salary or hourly wage to precept in Franklin’s APRN nursing programs, we may offer an honorarium to the clinical site, depending on the circumstances. In addition to the personal fulfillment that comes with shaping a new NP, at the end of each trimester, Franklin will send you a letter that documents your precepting hours, so you can apply the hours toward recertification requirements.