Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are some questions that you may have about Capstone precepting. Each will be discussed in detail in this course.

• What will I do?
  You will be the clinical expert and role model for the student during the Capstone practicum. You will help the student demonstrate that she/he can meet the expected course competencies.
   
• How much do I need to work while being a Capstone preceptor?
  Students need to complete a specific number of clinical hours. The faculty from the School of Nursing will discuss this with you prior to the beginning of the course.
   
• Will I have other orientees or students to precept at the same time?
  No. You will have one Capstone student assigned as a 1:1 relationship. If a situation arises where you are assigned to other students or orientees, discuss the situation with your manager, the faculty, and your Capstone student.
   
• Will there be an instructor working with the students and how do I contact the instructor?
  There are faculty that are responsible for the Capstone practicum. Before the practicum you will meet the faculty and the student to set the exact clinical schedule, discuss expectations, and exchange contact information so that all know how to contact each other. During the practicum, you can contact the student or the faculty as decided in the meeting.
   
• Will the students work my schedule or do I need to change my schedule?
  Yes, the student will work your schedule. You and the student will work together to set the exact times the student will be with you.
   
• What if I need to take a sick day, get called off, or get reassigned to another unit?
  These situations, as well as others, might necessitate schedule changes. When this occurs, contact your student to reschedule the missed hours. The student may not be on the unit to work clinical hours without you since she/he is assigned to work with you. If you get reassigned to another unit, the student may go with you if you feel that the student is prepared for the experience.
   
• How do students get a preceptor?
  • Students do not recruit their own Capstone preceptor.
  • Students select a Capstone site/unit from a School of Nursing database online program (see Figure below).
  • Capstone Coordinators at participating organizations work with managers and educators to identify specific preceptors.
  • The sites/units of available preceptors are listed in the database at the beginning of each semester.
  • During selection, the students can sort the database according to unit type, patient type, shift time, or organization.

NOTE: Per selection policy:

• Students cannot have Capstone on the unit where they are employed.
• For Capstone in Operating Room (OR), Pediatric Critical Care Unit (PICU), and Neonatal Critical Care Unit (NICU), students must have successfully completed the appropriate elective or have the qualifying experience as approved by the participating organization.