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.
Kara Ramos, PNP, is the school's March 2024 Preceptor of the Month. A graduate of the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing, she has practiced pediatric primary care at the Daly City Clinic for four years.
“I started precepting in 2022, and love giving back to the NP community,” Ramos said. “It’s wonderful to watch students grow, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to really immerse students in primary care!”
Mary Anne Israel, the specialty coordinator for the UCSF School of Nursing's Pediatric Nurse Practitioner-Primary Care specialty, said: “Each of the students Kara has precepted has given specific praise of Kara's excellent clinical teaching, especially in the realm of building a differential. She creates an environment where the student is able to think critically as she provides education and guidance as they develop their diagnosis and treatment plan. She has also been recognized by the students for the high-quality compassionate care she provides her patients.”
Ross Theriot, PNP student, commented: "Kara is spectacular. She challenged me to determine what clinical skills I was developing and helped me to scaffold them to mastery. She allowed me to gain autonomy in all aspects of care with thoughtful and reflective supervision. While working with a patient population experiencing high levels of stress, trauma and inequity, she modeled interacting with warmth and trauma-informed care that creates a safe space for culturally concordant care.”
Read about other recipients of the School of Nursing Preceptor Awards.