Roles and Responsibilities

The student, preceptor, and faculty have equal responsibility for providing a quality learning experience in the clinical/practicum courses. Specific roles and responsibilities vary somewhat by concentration and course requirements.  There are, however, specific responsibilities for each participant. This is necessary to promote student progress and role expectations. These responsibilities are identified as follows:

Responsibilities of the Student

• The Student will assist in collection of legal and contractual documents (Intent of Relationship letter, Preceptor’s Professional Profile or curriculum vitae), prior to registering for a precepted clinical or practicum course. 
• The Student will establish a mutually agreeable schedule for clinical time with the preceptor.
• He/she will come to the clinical experience prepared to perform in accordance with assigned learning activities in accordance with course.
• The Student will demonstrate ability to manage progressively complex situations in accordance with his/her academic progression.
• The Student will follow policies and procedures established in the preceptor site and will keep the preceptor informed about cases and learning activities.
• The Student will function under the Nurse Practice Act statues and regulations for expanded nursing roles.
• The Student will participate in conferences with the preceptor and faculty to discuss progress, problems, and learning needs.
• The Student will maintain accurate records of clinical time and experiences.
• The Student will complete the specified forms and submit at designated intervals to the faculty.  Required forms are identified in each course and may include but are not limited to: clinical logs, clinical skills performance forms, evaluations of clinical/practicum experience, preceptor evaluations and clinical site evaluations.

Specific Guidelines for Students in Clinical Facilities

• Students are to negotiate acceptable hours with the preceptor prior to starting clinical practicum. The student is expected to accommodate the preceptor’s availability and schedule. The student’s personal and work schedules are expected to accommodate participation in the required number of clinical hours specified by the clinical course.
• Professional apparel that meets agency guidelines is expected. Conservative and professional dress clothing and a lab coat are the norm. No jeans or shorts or running shoes or bare midriff or low cut clothing are allowed in the clinical site.
• The student will work within the policies of the agency and maintain a constructive relationship with the agency.
• The student is required to supply health information to facilities as requested.
• The student must wear a name pin, which identifies her or his status as a graduate nursing student.
• The graduate student name pin is worn only when the student is participating in or involved in experiences related to the graduate student role.
• The student is responsible for her or his individual costs related to clinical experiences.

Responsibilities of the Concentration Coordinator/Course Faculty

• The Course Faculty in consultation with the Concentration Coordinator is responsible for evaluating clinical sites for appropriateness of learning experiences and ensuring completion of site evaluation forms.
• The Course Faculty is responsible for assigning students to appropriate clinical sites in consultation with the course coordinator and the concentration coordinator.
• The Course Faculty is responsible for verifying completion of all documents related to the preceptorship, including the letter of intent, preceptor profile (or curriculum vitae), and clinical affiliation agreement. 
• The Course Faculty is responsible for reviewing all requirements with the preceptor and student. 
• The Course Faculty may visit the clinical/practicum site as deemed necessary.  Arrangements will be scheduled by the faculty directly with the preceptor.
• The Course Faculty is ultimately responsible for evaluating course requirements and determining the degree to which a student has achieved course objectives.  The Course Faculty assigns the final grade. 

Responsibilities of the Contract Liaison

• The Contract Liaison is responsible for maintaining ongoing relationships with clinical partners for both the on-ground and online course offerings for each home school.
• The Contract Liaison introduces consortium members and faculty from other participating institutions to the agency partners.
• The Contract Liaison serves as a point of contact for agency partners in negotiating clinical affiliation agreements and in monitoring the contractual relationship.
• The Contract Liaison recommends potential clinical/practicum sites and participates in preceptor and site evaluations.

Responsibilities of the Preceptor

• Orient students to the practice site. Clearly identify specific service and personal expectations.
• Encourage office/ancillary care staff to be helpful and make student feel a part of the team.
• Complete a formal written evaluation of the student's performance during the rotation.
• Contact the faculty to discuss issues of concern and poor student performance.
• Serve as a mentor who assists the student in applying knowledge and building skills to problem-solve patient care.
• Provide a variety of patient cases and adequate patient volume.
• Challenge the student with deliberate and thoughtful questions.
• Allow the student to participate in patient management to a degree appropriate for the level of education.
• Provide written and verbal feedback to the student in a constructive and timely manner.
• Sign the student’s clinical hours tracking log each day the student is present.
• Be available, on site, for assistance during all patient care activities.
• Share learning resources (texts, computers and educational programs if available) sufficient to increase student knowledge and productivity.
• Integrate theory of advanced practice nursing into the rotation experience. As such, encourage the use of hands-on as appropriate for the level of practice.

If you are unclear about the scope of these duties, or would like additional materials to develop your teaching/mentoring skills, contact the faculty or Concentration Coordinator.