Precepting at the School of Nursing

We welcome nurse practitioners, physicians, physician assistants, and other healthcare providers in certain programs as preceptors. Preceptors should have at least one year of experience in their specialty and hold an unencumbered current NYS certification or license. For nurse practitioner preceptors, national certification in their specialty is required. It is also helpful if the preceptor works at least two days a week to accommodate the required hours.

You will provide direct supervision to a student as they learn the skills, attitudes, and perspectives necessary to be an NP. You are their teacher and role model and will share your expertise as they integrate and apply their classroom knowledge in the clinical setting. You will also evaluate their performance throughout the semester through feedback and then formally, in writing, at the end of the semester. We will also ask you to review and approve the student’s clinical hours spent with you.  

When you supervise a student, you remain the primary provider of care, so you will need to examine, evaluate, and plan the care for all patients that your student sees. Initially, you will do this together, but once you are comfortable with your student, you may have them see the patient initially, present to you, and then complete the visit together.  

We welcome new preceptors, and we will support you every step of the way. Our course faculty are all experienced preceptors and will be available to you throughout the semester that you precept. Our Clinical Placement Office Administrator is also easily accessible to you during the semester for questions, guidance, and support. Check out these video resources for new preceptors.

Students bring vitality, energy, and curiosity to the clinical setting, and many preceptors find working with them deeply rewarding. Preceptors often share that having a student encourages reflective practice and introduces fresh ideas, approaches, and technologies. Combined with the opportunity to support the profession and help shape the next generation of providers, precepting becomes a truly meaningful experience.

We know that precepting requires time and commitment, and we’re here to support you in making it a positive and enriching experience for both you and your student. Check out this video from NONPF for helpful tips and insights.

This varies by program, but between 120 (about 8 hours per week) and 240 (about 16 hours per week) hours per semester depending on the level of the student and type of practice. We will inform you of the exact number of hours before your student begins. 

While we value every opportunity you can provide, many preceptors will take students some semesters but not all, during the year. We do ask that you not precept more than one student at a time.