Characteristics of Effective Preceptors

Our preceptors are amazing people. Students rave about how knowledgeable they are and how much they learn from their preceptors. Because of their time with you, students perform exceedingly well during their clinical rotations and go on to become successful clinicians.

The best of our preceptors exhibit the following characteristics.

Mindful

Effective preceptors put him or herself in the student’s shoes!

Many students are eager to learn but are afraid of making mistakes or not being smart enough. If the student is naturally a timid person, it may be difficult for the student to ask the questions necessary for success. On the other hand, an assertive or overly confident student may step on a preceptor’s toes.

Effective preceptors remember what it was like to be a student. They tailor the experience to benefit the student, taking into account a student’s learning style and personality.

Flexible

A 22-year-old fresh out of nursing school needs a different direction than a middle-aged student returning to NP school after decades of being an RN. The best preceptors take into consideration life experiences, cultural factors, and generational differences. For example, you may need to explain things in more detail for one student, while another student may not have the patience (or need) for longer training sessions.

Proactive

Your role as a preceptor entails more than simply allowing a student to shadow you. Goals should be set; roles should be explained. Processes for communication and evaluations must be put in place. All this requires planning. Spend time thinking through the following:

• What material should be communicated during orientation?
• What role will the student take when in the clinic with me?
• How many times will a student get to watch me work with a patient before they are expected to perform a task on their own? How should they handle it if, mid-interaction with a patient, they realize they have unanswered questions?
• What are the exceptions to the typical protocol? How will I communicate such changes?
• How will evaluations take place, and how will the student’s progress be communicated?
• How will problems be handled?

Communicative

Once you’ve thought through the student’s role and expectations, this information needs to be clearly communicated. Many preceptors assume their students know what is expected of them, or they think they’ve communicated well when much of the information remains in their heads.

An effective preceptor takes the time to deliver expectations both verbally and in writing. Students flourish when they know what is expected of them.

Whenever possible, ask questions to find out if the student is keeping up with you. You may be surprised at how many things you thought you communicated that went over the student’s head.

Thorough

Explain both what you are doing and why you did it the way you did. The why is as important as the how.

Professional

Students look to you to learn how to interact with patients and other staff members. It’s important to maintain this level of professionalism when giving direction or feedback, especially when correcting mistakes.

Encouraging

You may be assigned a student who has personality traits that grate on your nerves, or perhaps they are a slow learner. If you are impatient, the relationship between you and the student will quickly devolve. If you express confidence that the student can improve, you will increase that student’s chances of success. We ask that you actively adopt a positive attitude.

We are grateful for all our preceptors. The impact you have on our students is immeasurable. Thanks to you, our students start their careers with confidence and practical knowledge.