• Encourage the student to have early and frequent direct contact with patients

• Clearly identify what you expect from the student as their mentor and preceptor

• Encourage the student to learn and accept guidance from other experienced staff nurses

• Individualize assignments based on learner needs and level of skill

• Offer opportunities to practice cognitive and psychomotor skills

• Offer opportunities for problem solving, including the use of creativity

• Offer opportunities for observation

• Help the student to develop independent professional judgment and decision-making

Allow the student to:

1. Administer blood or blood products

• Students may observe, but they may not pick-up, prime, handle, or otherwise participate in the administration of these products

• They may not assess the IV site if blood or blood products are being administered

• They may obtain vital signs for the nurse before, during, or after the administration

2. Titrate IV medications

• Cardiac, pain, etc.

3. Independently receive provider orders

• They may call the provider or speak with the provider in person about the status of the patient, as long as a licensed nurse is present to hear the conversation from both ends (so that the nurse can legally place them in the chart with his/her name attached)

4. Administer chemotherapy

• Same applies as with blood and/or blood products

5. Administer medications or perform invasive procedures without direct supervision of preceptor

• Foley insertion, IV insertion, medication administration, sterile dressing changes, etc.

*The above skills may not be completed by a student nurse under the Practice Act set forth by the Alabama Board of Nursing