FNP Clinical Internship Preceptors

Students must engage a minimum of 2 Preceptors at two different primary care sites for Clinical Internships throughout the program.

Preceptors must have an active, unencumbered license

Have earned national certification in their specialty area by a recognized credentialing agency

Have a minimum of two years of current experience in their current credentialing

Appropriate Preceptor

· Board-certified nurse practitioner (family, adult, pediatric, neonatal, women's health, geriatric)

· MD board -certified in  Primary Care such as Family Medicine, Internal Medicine, or Pediatric Medicine

· DO board -certified in Primary Care such as Family Medicine or Internal Medicine, or Pediatric Medicine

· Certified Nurse Midwife with a Master’s degree or higher

· Physician Assistant with a Master’s degree or higher (requires additional review and approval from WGU Program Leadership) *Certain states do not allow PAs as preceptors.

· Clinical Nurse Specialists (requires additional review and approval from WGU Program Leadership)

Doctors of Podiatric Medicine and Chiropractors are NOT approved preceptors for the WGU Family Nurse Practitioner Track.

Family members or close family or personal friends are NOT allowed to serve as preceptors for the students in the Family Nurse Practitioner Track.

Students must identify their own Preceptor

· As this is a volunteer (unpaid) position, we do not have a list of Preceptors for students to choose from.

· Working with a self-Identified preceptor ensures that you have a preceptor who is personally invested in your academic success.

· Working with a self-Identified preceptor ensures that the Preceptor will be available at a time and geographic location most suitable to your needs within each Internship.

Below are talking points to provide confidence in expressing the Clinical Preceptorship clearly and professionally when networking to secure a Preceptor. Students should find their own style, but use the following information as basic content.

The Preceptor Role:

My preceptor must:

Have earned national certification in their specialty area by a recognized credentialing agency and have a minimum of two years of current experience in their specialty area in their current credentialing.

My Preceptor must hold an unencumbered license in the state where the organization is located or hold a multistate license in another state which allows them to practice in that state.

My preceptor will orient me to the setting and provide information, contacts, and resources for completing my clinical internship.
My preceptor will facilitate experiences that immerse me in the provider role.
My preceptor will complete a brief online training module as well as work with my Course Instructors.
My preceptor will verify my hours and provide a mid-term and end of term evaluation of my progress.
My preceptors will receive no monetary compensation from me as the student or WGU.

All clinical hours must be completed working with a preceptor.

Student Talking Points:

Why: The WGU FNP program is preparing me to become a primary care provider through required clinical internship experiences. These experiences, obtained during the clinical internship courses, provide me with an opportunity to apply what I have learned during my family nurse practitioner specialty courses in a real-world setting.

What: These experiences are precepted learning opportunities that will help me develop the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the role of an Advanced Practice Nurse by delivering care to individuals across the lifespan.

When: I am required to complete a minimum of 650 direct patient care clinical hours distributed across 3 clinical internship courses.

Clinical Internship I - minimum of 215 hrs.

Clinical Internship II - minimum of 215 hrs.

Clinical Internship III - minimum of 220 hrs.

How: The program prepares graduates to assess individuals, diagnose diseases, prescribe medications, and devise treatment plans for acute and chronic health conditions, as well as deliver disease prevention and health promotion within the full scope of FNP practice.

FAMILY NURSE PRACTITIONER CLINICAL INTERNSHIP I (215 HOURS)

(Note: Heavier Supervisory role due to students first time in clinical practice.) This role requires up to 215 hrs. per clinical internship.

FAMILY NURSE PRACTITIONER CLINICAL INTERNSHIP II (215 HOURS)

(Note: Moderate Supervisory role with active coaching that pushes student beyond the comfort zone in order to provide growth opportunities.) This role requires up to 215 hrs. per clinical internship.

FAMILY NURSE PRACTITIONER CLINICAL INTERNSHIP III (220 HOURS)

(Note: Light Supervisory role with continued coaching that pushes students beyond comfort as they move towards expert practice.) This role requires up to 220 hrs. per clinical internship.

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