Role and Responsibilities of the Student
The student involved in the Integrative Practicum (IP) clinical experience has reached a point in the program of study when they are ready to integrate and apply the knowledge, skills, and abilities they have developed in earlier course work. The student's primary role is to closely study the role and responsibilities of the nurse in the assigned agency/unit and under the guidance of the preceptor, and prepare to gradually assume the responsibilities of a RN on that unit/agency.
Students are accountable for achieving IP course outcomes, by developing a collegial relationship with their preceptor and seeking opportunities that will help them further develop and integrate the end of Nursing program outcomes. The student is responsible for self-evaluation and integrating feedback from others, as well as developing a plan for ongoing learning.
Prior to the IP experience the student will:
- Identify preferred clinical settings in which to study the role and practice of nursing in preparation for transitioning to clinical practice.
- Under the direction of the faculty collaborate with preceptor regarding clinical schedule and orientation.
- Establish learning goals in consultation with faculty of record and designated preceptor.
- Identify areas of strength and weakness.
- Prepare for the IP experience by reviewing the IP guidelines, course description, outcomes and evaluation process.
- Complete any required unit/agency specific education deemed necessary (e.g. HIPAA, EHR documentation, specialty skills, etc.).
During the IP experience the student will:
- Achieve course outcomes by seeking opportunities to further develop competence and to assume increasingly complex care responsibilities.
- Demonstrate professional behaviors expected of the program and profession. Follow agency policy, procedures and standards of care.
- Demonstrate accountability for own actions and conduct in accord with their school's standards, polices and protocols.
- Promote positive and professional communications and relationships with preceptor, agency staff, and faculty.
- Communicate with preceptor and/or faculty directly if there are issues, concerns, or areas of conflict in the clinical setting.
- Participate in professional activities of unit, including meetings, in-services, quality assurance monitors, etc.
- Seek and synthesize ongoing feedback from preceptor and faculty regarding performance; identify and implement behavioral changes to improve practice.
- Participate in evaluating own learning and the IP experience and identify areas requiring professional growth and development.
- Meet regularly with faculty and preceptor to discuss progress and to develop additional learning activities as needed. The frequency of these visits will meet the minimum standard set by the school and will be mutually agreed upon by faculty of
record, preceptor, and student. - Notify the faculty and preceptor (and/or unit) if unable to be present during a shift. The student may work under the direction of a designated preceptor with approval of the faculty of record.
Role and Responsibilities of the Faculty of Record
The IP faculty of record is an integral link in a three-person team (faculty, student, preceptor), and holds the ultimate responsibility for learning activities and evaluation of student performance. IP faculty are accountable to develop partnerships with significant persons within a health care organization, to facilitate an environment for learning and to help the student integrate the IP course outcomes. IP faculty monitor the IP clinical experience to resolve potential problems and provide appropriate follow-up for concerns that are identified.
The IP faculty will:
- Act as role model of the professional nurse.
- Familiarize self with agency resources and structures appropriate for enhancing the student's clinical experience and effective problem solving.
- Act as resource to the health care organization to interpret IP course outcomes.
- Facilitate problem solving.
- Clarify preceptor, faculty and student responsibilities.
- Collaborate with the preceptor, to identify ways to best support the student's transition to RN experience.
- Collaborate with the preceptor, to provide feedback about the student's progress in the course.
- Visit clinical site and meet regularly with the preceptor and student to discuss progress and to develop additional learning activities as needed. The frequency of visits must meet the minimum standard set by the school.
- Support the preceptor in the ongoing development of clinical teaching strategies that support the student's transition to practice.
- Monitor, evaluate, and provide feedback related to the student's progress in meeting course outcomes.
- Determine course grade, using evaluative feedback from the preceptor and student.
- Facilitate evaluations of the course, clinical site and effectiveness of the preceptor.
- Participate in preceptor education.
Note: Faculty of record contact information will be provided by the school.
Role and Responsibilities of the Nursing Student Preceptor
A nursing student preceptor is a Registered Nurse who enters into a formal, extended, one-on-one relationship with a student in order that the student may enhance his/her learning about the performance of a professional nurse in the care of clients.
A preceptor is a critical link in a three-person team (faculty, student, preceptor). Accountability for client care remains with the healthcare facility and its staff. Evaluation of clinical performance is a shared responsibility among the preceptor, the student and the faculty member. The preceptor is accountable for providing feedback about clinical performance to both the student and the faculty member. Determination of the course grade is the responsibility of the faculty member, using input from both the preceptor and student.
The Preceptor will:
- Act as clinical role model of the professional nurse. Understand the OCNE curriculum focus and interpret it to colleagues.
- Guide and support the student's transition to the RN role, and role in the culture and expectations of the clinical practice unit.
- Interpret learning activities to colleagues.Establish, with faculty and student, learning activities, goals and evaluation criteria that incorporate IP course outcomes.
- Demonstrate the use of sound clinical judgment in each clinical situation, including access and use of evidence-based practice data.
- Introduce clinical situations of increasing complexity at a mutually agreeable pace for the development of the student.
- Communicate effectively so that the student's learning is supported.
- Provide constructive feedback about the student's clinical reasoning and skill acquisition.
- Integrate effective skills in teamwork, negotiation and conflict resolution into the student's clinical experience.
- Integrate ethical standards and practices into the clinical experience.
- Meet regularly with faculty and student to discuss progress and to develop additional learning activities as needed. The frequency of these visits will be mutually agreed upon by faculty of record, preceptor, and student. The frequency of visits must meet the minimum standard set by the school.
- Serve as liaison to faculty from clinical agency, facilitating problem solving when issues arise.
- Participate in preceptor training
- Reporting Relationship:
- For all patient care, the preceptor continues to use the defined reporting structure of his/her organization.
- For all student-related situations, the preceptor reports to the school's faculty of record.