Clinical Site Selection and Preceptor Qualifications

Guidelines for Selecting Clinical Practice Sites

DNP-FNP students collaborate with UP faculty to identify clinical practice sites. The following guidelines will be considered:

1. Appropriate clinical sites will provide opportunity for learners to meet course outcomes and DNP program competencies.
2. The clinical setting must provide appropriate space and facilities for students to utilize during clinical times scheduled.
3. Clinical sites will utilize problem-oriented records.
4. Clinical practice sites will be more conducive to learning if the client volume is moderate. Therefore, high-volume practices (>20 pts./day) may not be appropriate.
5. Generalized clinical practices are preferred. Those learners who wish more specialized clinical settings may have to arrange for additional precepted time to meet all course objectives. 
6. All clinical sites will be arranged with a formal Clinical Affiliation Agreement with the UP School of Nursing & Health Innovations.
7. Specific requests by the student will be considered according to the above criteria and the following:
   • Preceptors will be chosen based on qualifications, experience level, and special skills, with a focus on the appropriate types of clients for each course.
   • Preceptor will have a minimum of 2,080 hours of licensed practice (approximately one year of full-time experience).
   • Preceptors must not be relatives or personal friends of the students they precept.
   • The preceptor must be a critical part of the health care team at that site.
   • The organizational environment must be conducive to student learning.
   • The student to individual preceptor ratio must not be greater than 2:1 at any time.
8. Clinical sites for Oregon residents with an Oregon RN license will be located throughout Oregon. In order to complete the required clinical hours, students may be required to drive long distances and will be responsible for any travel/lodging expenses.
9. Clinical placements can take place in a variety of settings, such as:
   • Hospitals
   • Private practice
   • Community clinics
   • Non-profit clinics
   • School-based clinics

Qualifications of Clinical Preceptors

Ideally, the DNP student preceptor is an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN), although students may also be precepted by MDs, DOs, PAs, Clinical PharmDs, or other allied health professionals as appropriate. 

Preceptors who are APRNs must possess at least a master’s degree, have current and unencumbered registered nurse (RN) and appropriate APRN licensure in the state in which the clinical rotation occurs, be nationally certified, and have a minimum of 2,080 hours of licensed practice (approximately one year of full-time experience). Preceptors who are not APRNs must be appropriately prepared, experienced, recognized, and licensed without encumbrance by their regulatory body. Each preceptor is required to submit a current resume to the graduate program clinical manager for verification of skills, licensure, and readiness to precept.

Preceptors are chosen based on experience level and special skills, with a focus on the appropriate types of clients for the rotation. Preceptors may not be relatives or personal friends of the student they precept.

Note: The UP School of Nursing & Health Innovations does not provide any payment or funding to clinical sites or preceptors.