Preceptor Information

RNEP Nursing Preceptor Role

RNEP Nursing Preceptors are experienced registered nurses or Advance Practice Nurses who live and work in their rural communities and partner with nursing education programs to support students during clinical training. Working in collaboration with academic faculty, preceptors help students apply program learning outcomes in real-world clinical settings through direct supervision and bedside teaching.

As mentors, leaders, and professional role models, RNEP preceptors guide students in developing clinical skills, sound clinical judgment, and compassionate, evidence-based practice. By training nursing students within their own communities, preceptors play a vital role in strengthening the rural nursing workforce and preparing the next generation of nurses to serve their local communities.

Why Become an RNEP Nursing Preceptor?

Make a lasting impact by helping educate and support nursing students in your own rural community.
Share your clinical expertise through bedside teaching, mentoring, and role modeling professional nursing practice.
Shape the future nursing workforce by guiding students as they apply academic learning to real-world patient care.
Strengthen rural health care by training nurses locally and supporting workforce retention in your community.
Grow professionally by developing leadership, teaching, and communication skills.
Collaborate with academic faculty to support student learning outcomes and clinical success.
Receive support and preparation through an RNEP-provided preceptor training program designed to prepare you for the role.

Preceptor Requirements

RNEP preceptors must meet the following requirements:

Hold an unencumbered registered nurse (RN) license in Washington State.
- For precepting Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) students, an unencumbered RN, ARNP, MD, DO, or PA license is acceptable, as appropriate to the clinical role.
Have a minimum of one year of clinical experience in the specialty area in which they will serve as a preceptor.
Not be related to the student being precepted and have no direct reporting or supervisory relationship with the student.
Complete orientation to the roles and responsibilities of the faculty, preceptor, and student within the clinical learning experience.
Participate in ongoing communication and collaboration with academic faculty, including daily or weekly check-ins as required each term.
Communicate promptly with course faculty regarding concerns related to student progress, performance, or safety.
Complete a final clinical evaluation assessing the student’s performance and progress at the end of the course.
Collaborate with academic faculty, including participation in a site visit, if required.

How to Get Started as an RNEP Preceptor

Express interest to your nursing supervisor
Discuss your interest in serving as an RNEP preceptor to ensure alignment with unit needs and scheduling.
Contact RNEP to indicate your interest
Email the RNEP team to request additional information and next steps.
Complete the Preceptor Information Form
Submit required information, including licensure, clinical experience, and specialty area.
Complete required preceptor training
Attend the RNEP Preceptor Training Program.
Review academic partner expectations
Receive orientation to student learning outcomes, evaluation tools, and communication processes with faculty.
Begin precepting with faculty support
Once approved, you will be matched with a student and supported by academic faculty throughout the clinical experience.