Role of a Clinical Preceptor
An effective clinical preceptor is essential to the clinical training of the student registered nurse anesthetist (SRNA). The preceptor role is a collaboration between the clinical faculty member and the SRNA. As a preceptor, you serve as a role model for the student, while also guiding and challenging the SRNA to apply their foundational knowledge in the realm of clinical care. After an introduction to the student, you will develop a professional relationship built upon mutual trust and open communication. Effective feedback, open dialogue, setting clear expectations, and providing consistent guidance in patient management will enhance the student’s growth and the preceptor’s satisfaction. Clinical preceptors must maintain SRNA confidentiality at all times. The role of the preceptor in assisting the SRNA in understanding the contextual realities of the foundation anesthesia knowledge is invaluable.
Clinical preceptors are expected to maintain a respectful, ethical and competent anesthesia practice. Constant reflection upon actions taken will further facilitate the learning process and provide deeper meaning for the student to incorporate into his / her own practice. Adult learners have unique characteristics, and they are highly invested in their education. They bring a large volume of past experiences as clinicians and also from the didactic phase of the program. The experiences provided in the clinical phase should be arranged by the preceptor to provide meaningful patient exposures that reinforce the application of the SRNAs knowledge. Through this collaboration the preceptor is instrumental in moving the student from novice to competent entry level practitioner.
Several instructional support materials for preceptor development are available through online learning portals and through the RFU main webpage at no cost to our clinical partners. A direct link to the Preceptor Enhancement Program has been provided at the end of this manual.