Meeting preceptor expectations to facilitate optimal nurse practitioner student clinical rotations

Abstract

Preceptors are essential to nurse practitioner (NP) students' transition from being a student to competent entry-level NP graduate. The literature is replete with data pertaining to the benefits of and barriers to preceptors engaging in the clinical education of NP students, and little has changed in the last two decades in this regard. Therefore, faculty solicited preceptor input to enhance curriculum revision and clinical training preparation. This qualitative inquiry project derived data from interviews with 13 preceptors in a variety of clinical settings. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using a content analysis method. Recruiting, training, and retaining qualified, willing preceptors are of paramount importance to NP programs. This article describes preceptor expectations of NP students' knowledge, skills, and attitudes for optimal clinical rotation experiences. The results have important implications for innovative NP educational models, developing trust in NP education programs and promoting competency development of the NP student using entrustable professional activities.