Demystifying Nursing: Hands-on Learning Through Precepting

Nancie Deckard received her Master of Science in Nursing from Duke in 2023, concentrating in Veteran’s Healthcare. A standout student, Deckard earned the Bonnie Jones Friedman Humanitarian Award and DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nursing Students. Now she serves as a preceptor for current Duke MSN students, mentoring them through the hands-on clinical rotations needed to put their learning into action and acquire their degree. 

What was your experience like as a Duke Nursing student? 

I thought the Duke program was challenging, but it was very well organized, which helped me navigate the requirements along the way and stay on track. I thought the various instructors did an excellent job of mapping out the requirements for individual courses, too. I believe this was essential for my ability to successfully complete the program. 

How did you get involved with the Pamlico County Health Department, and what kind of work do you do there?

I completed my final clinical rotation with Hope Clinic and Pamlico County Health Department (PCHD). After I completed boards, I came back part-time for two years before transitioning to full-time here. I am a full-time Advanced Practice Provider I, serving patients seen in their STD, Family Planning, Adult Health, and Primary Care programs. 

What does being a preceptor entail? What is most rewarding about precepting?

I think the most rewarding part of being a preceptor is being able to encourage the students along the way. Most of the students are balancing work, school and family; and many times, there are personal trials overlayed. It is a unique opportunity to speak into someone's life at a critical time. I try to get them to cast a vison for where their education can take them. I also try to demystify anything I can—from completing coursework, to passing boards, or eventually working as a provider. 

What memories do you have of being precepted when you were a Duke student—what was your experience like? 

I am grateful for the opportunities I had. I remember my pediatric clinical preceptor required me to tackle the electronic health record system Epic and create my own templates in the system. This is directly related to practice, and it was so helpful that she required me to do this. My OB-GYN clinical preceptor had me doing Pap smears on my first day. He showed a tremendous amount of confidence in me and was so supportive. The PCHD and Hope Clinic Directors were fully supportive as I worked to apply all that I had learned in my program to care for their patients. I still see some patients now, as a provider, that I first saw when I was a student. I think it’s amazing to be able to have those ongoing relationships with patients. 

Is there anything you'd like to share with potential future preceptors?

I would tell them you can do it. I think some people may worry that they don't know enough. I would say, don't worry that a student may see what you do not know. The transparency is vital to them being able to practice some day with confidence and humility.