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.
- UCSF recently transitioned to a BSN Entry to Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) pathway. We are excited to bring preceptors along this journey and to gain new preceptors. In this FAQ resource, we answer preceptors' questions about this transition.
- 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.
Meghan Scott, FNP, is the school's October Preceptor of the Month. Scott works at Kaiser Permanente Redwood City and has been a longstanding preceptor in obstetrics and gynecology.
“Meghan has demonstrated exceptional leadership in clinical teaching by creating a supportive, hands-on learning environment that fosters both confidence and clinical competence in students,” said Julie Poepoe, DNP, RN, FNP-BC, associate professor and family nurse practitioner specialty coordinator. "Her commitment to patient-centered care, clear communication, and real-time feedback exemplifies excellence in guiding future providers toward professional growth and compassionate practice."
“I precept because I love learning from my students," says Scott. "UCSF continuously sends me nurse practitioner students that are well-prepared, ready to learn, and amazing people, too. When you have been in practice a while, things can get very habitual. My students are teaching me more than they know, and I often realize there are better ways to do things or new clinical guidelines I wasn't necessarily aware of. In return, I'm happy to pass on my knowledge and do as much as I can to get them ready for their careers.”
Allie Siegel, RN, current student in the school's BSN Entry to the Doctor of Nursing practice pathway and Scott's preceptee, said, "Meghan was very knowledgeable and excellent at her craft. She created an environment where I was very eager to learn and felt comfortable asking questions. She made me not only more excited to be an NP, but to also precept future FNP students."
Read about other recipients of the School of Nursing Preceptor Awards.