RNEP FAQs
Academic Partners
What is an academic partner?
Academic partners are accredited nursing programs that deliver nursing school curriculum and award degrees while collaborating with RNEP on rural education delivery.
Does RNEP replace academic partners?
No. RNEP enhances existing programs by coordinating rural clinical access and student support.
How does RNEP support academic partners?
Support includes centralized student onboarding, clinical coordination, and preceptor training infrastructure.
Are faculty workload expectations increased?
No. RNEP is designed to maintain existing faculty workload expectations. There may be additional work needed to transition didactic coursework to an online format, which RNEP can support.
What standards govern the program?
RNEP aligns with Washington State Board of Nursing regulations, accreditation standards, and workforce funding requirements.
How does RNEP integrate with existing nursing pathways at academic institutions?
The academic program is delivered fully online/virtually to allow health care workers in rural communities to pursue their nursing education while continuing to live and work in their communities. If the nursing program does not currently deliver coursework online, the partnering academic institution is expected to transition courses to an online format for RNEP students.
Community partners (Critical Access Hospitals) nominate their own employees who are interested in pursuing a nursing degree and those nominated complete an RNEP application. Selected students complete their prerequisites as part of their first year in the RNEP cohort, then must apply to one of RNEP’s academic partners. Prerequisites can be completed through any academic institution, provided they meet requirements for admission into one of the nursing programs through an RNEP academic partner.
Students complete nursing courses and required clinical trainings as part of the nursing program during their last two years in the RNEP cohort. Students complete clinical training at their employment site (partnering hospitals).
Community Partners
What is the role of community partners?
Community partners identify potential students, provide clinical placements and preceptors, support flexible scheduling, and participate in workforce planning.
Are partners required to hire graduates?
Community partners are encouraged to hire RNEP graduates when possible.
How does RNEP support clinical sites?
RNEP provides preceptor training.
What agreements are required?
Community partners will enter into participation agreements or MOUs with RNEP and partnering academic institutions.
What are the expectations for community partners in supporting students’ clinical experiences?
The academic partner will provide the clinical requirements for each term. The community Partner will be responsible for facilitating placements within their hospital, clinics, or other community settings. Our staff will work with the community Partner and academic Partner to ensure students are able to complete required experiences within their rural community while meeting course objectives.
RNEP uses a preceptor-based clinical model. Each student is paired with a designated preceptor assigned at the community partner’s facility, who is expected to work with the student throughout the duration of the program (with the option to identify a backup preceptor as needed). Students will complete clinical hours alongside their preceptor during the preceptor's scheduled shifts, which helps minimize scheduling changes. All preceptors will complete an RNEP training.
In terms of skills validation and clinical oversight, the academic institution maintains primary responsibility. Clinical instructors will provide oversight through virtual observation of student performance. To support this, RNEP has purchased telepresence robots for virtual observation and VR headsets for simulation, which we will distribute to each facility.
How does RNEP align with union contracts?
We are not currently working directly with any unions or involved with any union contract agreements. We encourage you to contact your union directly for questions regarding how RNEP participation may relate to your contract. If you encounter any conflicts with either student or preceptor participation, reach out to RNEP@doh.wa.gov to discuss further.
Can FQHCs and Rural Health Clinics participate in RNEP if they are not associated with a hospital?
Currently, RNEP is focused on partnering with Critical Access Hospitals. However, we may explore opportunities for partnerships with Rural Health Clinics and FQHCs in the future. As part of consideration for expansion, we are interested in better understanding the nursing workforce need across clinics in rural communities. We encourage you to reach out to us at RNEP@doh.wa.gov to connect.
Are community partners expected to implement a term commitment for students after graduation?
At this time, students agree to work in a rural community after graduation but there is no specified term commitment. There may be a specified term commitment with some of RNEP's funding sources, and we will share this with community partners if it is applicable. Hospitals may choose to implement their own term agreement outside of RNEP.
Prospective and Current Students
Who is RNEP designed for?
RNEP is designed for individuals who live in rural communities and want to become registered nurses committed to rural nursing practice.
Is the program fully online?
All didactic coursework is delivered remotely. Clinical experiences are completed in person in the student’s local rural community.
What degree will students earn?
Students earn an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) through RNEP’s academic partners.
How are students selected?
Students are nominated by their employers, Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs), to apply to the Rural Nursing Education Program (RNEP). Nominated students must complete an RNEP application, which includes meeting academic admissions requirements and demonstrating a commitment to rural nursing practice. At this time, students cannot apply directly to RNEP without a nomination from a partner hospital.
What support does RNEP provide for students?
RNEP provides stipends for student support needs such as travel, tutoring, childcare, etc. RNEP also has dedicated student support specialists who will meet regularly with RNEP students to track academic progression and ensure they are connected to appropriate resources to address any barriers and support needs.
What is the financial commitment for the students, and are there scholarships/aid available?
RNEP will pay for all prerequisite and nursing program tuition (after financial aid such as grants and scholarships through the institution are applied). We do not ask students to take out any student loans. RNEP also provides reimbursement for laptops if needed, travel as required by the nursing program, and student stipends once they are in the nursing program, which can go towards any need such as childcare, housing, food security, etc. We also pay for wraparound supports such as tuition and have full-time student support specialists to work one-on-one with each student and ensure they are supported through their education journey. As much as possible we aim to reduce the financial burden on students.
Are students required to work in a rural community after graduation?
Students are expected to seek employment with a participating rural health care partner, supporting RNEP’s grow-your-own workforce mission. There may be a specified term commitment with some of RNEP's funding sources, and we will share this with the students’ current employer (partnering hospital) if it is applicable. Hospitals may choose to implement their own term agreement outside of RNEP.
Would students be required to travel if all training and education can be done in the clinic setting?
RNEP’s model centers on an online learning structure that emphasizes minimal travel. Student participation within clinics is still being finalized, but theoretically, students would have access to clinic and hospital settings through other RNEP community partners. Academic partners may require occasional travel to the academic institution for in-person skills validation, training, and/or simulation experiences. RNEP will reimburse students for any travel associated with nursing program requirements.
What is the clinical time commitment?
Clinical time commitment will vary based on the nursing program. We expect academic and community partners to coordinate a schedule that best meets the nursing program requirements and the student’s schedule needs.
What is RNEP’s policy for readmission?
Opportunity for program re-admission is dependent on space availability, continuation of community partnership, and nursing program requirements.
When do students need to take the NCLEX?
Students should complete the NCLEX as soon as possible or within 30 days after program completion.
Are students who are currently in nursing school eligible for RNEP?
At this time, participation in RNEP is limited to students who are not yet enrolled in nursing school as we want to establish cohorts that progress through academic programs at the same time.
Nurse Preceptors
What is an RNEP Nursing Preceptor?
An RNEP Nursing Preceptor is an experienced registered nurse or advance practice nurse who provides direct supervision, teaching, and mentoring to nursing students during their clinical experiences. Preceptors help students apply academic learning to real-world patient care while modeling professional nursing practice.
Who can become an RNEP preceptor?
Registered nurses or advance practice nurses who are in good standing, have a minimum of at least 1-year relevant clinical experience, and work in participating rural clinical or hospital settings may be eligible to serve as RNEP preceptors. Additional eligibility requirements may apply depending on the academic partner and clinical site.
Do I need prior teaching experience to be a preceptor?
Prior teaching experience is not required. RNEP provides a basic preceptor training program to prepare nurses for the role, including guidance on bedside teaching, communication, and student evaluation. RNEP Preceptor Training will also provide preceptors with skills and knowledge to train students in the rural health care setting.
What kind of support will I receive as a preceptor?
RNEP preceptors receive structured training, clear expectations, and ongoing support. Preceptors also collaborate closely with academic faculty, who are available to answer questions, provide guidance, and assist with student-related concerns.
How much time is required to be a preceptor?
Time commitment varies depending on the student’s program and clinical schedule. Preceptors work with students during scheduled clinical hours and integrate teaching into routine patient care activities. RNEP does use a preceptor-based model, which means the student will have one dedicated preceptor for the duration of the program. The student is expected to follow the preceptor during the preceptor's scheduled work shift to minimize scheduling challenges and complexities. Scheduling will align with clinical site expectations and course requirements.
Can RNEP students have preceptors from multiple departments (Acute care, Assisted Living, Wound Care, Clinic)?
Each student will be assigned a primary RNEP-trained preceptor who serves as the main clinical instructor and point of contact throughout the clinical experience. The primary preceptor is responsible for coordinating the student’s clinical learning activities and ensuring continuity of supervision. Students are expected to follow the assigned preceptor’s work schedule to ensure continuity of learning, supervision, and evaluation. In rare circumstances when the primary preceptor is unavailable, the student may be assigned to work with another licensed nurse within the clinical setting on a limited basis.
Are preceptors responsible for evaluating or grading students?
Preceptors contribute to student evaluation by providing feedback and completing clinical assessment tools. Final grading decisions remain the responsibility of the academic program and faculty.
Why is precepting important for rural communities?
Training nursing students within rural communities strengthens the local health care workforce, supports retention of future nurses, and helps ensure that care remains accessible and responsive to community needs.