Preceptors and volunteer clinical faculty offer students individual perspectives and hands-on experience in a variety of health care settings and specialties. The cumulative effect of what these volunteers impart plays a significant role in the care any health system delivers.
- Clinical preceptors are integral to the future of nursing.
- They volunteer their time and energy, using education and training in an effort to assure that the profession grows and thrives.
- They provide students with learning experiences that prepare them for the role of expert care provider.
- Preceptors can advance their career by becoming a UCSF volunteer faculty, participating in CE opportunities, and collaborating on projects within the School of Nursing.
- For more information, contact Clinical Placements Supervisor Tammy Ryan.
Why I Precept
What Makes a Great Preceptor?
Recognizing Our Preceptors
In honor of the critical contributions that preceptors make to advance student learning, the UCSF School of Nursing faculty are honoring one preceptor each month. The award recognizes an exceptional preceptor who consistently and effectively contributes to UCSF nursing students’ clinical education.
Nicole Tilton, PNP, is the school's April 2024 Preceptor of the Month. Tilton works in the Pediatric Epilepsy Center of Excellence at UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital and has been a long-time preceptor for Acute Care Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (ACPNP) students. Brittaney Christiansen, specialty coordinator, said: “Nicole also has been available on short notice to serve as preceptor for a student mid-quarter and volunteered to serve as a fill-in/substitute preceptor. These examples highlight Nicole's commitment to educating the next generation of ACPNP providers and her support of the UCSF ACPNP specialty."
“I love being a part of helping students develop and grow their knowledge base about pediatric epilepsy," Tilton said. "I feel a great sense of pride when students finish the quarter with a strong command of a very complex medical condition. The student-preceptor relationship goes both ways. I am constantly learning from my students and I enjoy that they keep me on my toes!”
Afsheen Jamani, former preceptee, noted: “As a preceptor, Nicole not only took time to go through diagnosis, assessments, and medications with me but also checked in on a personal level. I truly appreciated her kindness and compassion."
Genica-Jade Ocampo added: “Nicole is an extraordinary preceptor and human being. Through her realism and intelligence, she empowers her preceptees to navigate their learning in their own individualized pathway providing the utmost level of support in learning, education and clinical experience.”
Read about other recipients of the School of Nursing Preceptor Awards.