While reviewing preceptor data for the 2020-21 school year, Yale School of Nursing (YSN) Associate Director of the Clinical Support Unit Tracy Chidsey made an astonishing discovery: a full 40% of the preceptors were first-time volunteers.
“It was incredible to welcome so many new preceptors,” Chidsey said. “Even though there were unprecedented demands on their time and attention because of the Covid-19 pandemic, they said yes to supporting the next generation of nurses and midwives. Our students need these clinical hours to graduate and hone their skills, and we never could have made it to Commencement without these amazing clinicians stepping up and volunteering their time.”
In the 2020-21 academic year, YSN utilized 556 preceptors for 394 students across 410 sites. Of those sites, 25% participated in the YSN program for the first time.
Clinical site coordinator Leigh Clemens strategizes with designated MSN faculty members known as Preceptor Liaisons (PLs) on recruitment all year for every semester. This year they included Polly Sather ’01 MSN, APRN, Tania Hossin ’14 MSN, APRN, Ami Marshall ’04 MSN, EdD, APRN, Amanda Lendler, RN, MSN, CNM, Elyse Borsuk’90 MSN, CPNP-PC, APRN, and Gia Santoro ’11 MSN, APRN, PMHNP-BC.
The pandemic made things more complicated — endless cold calls, emails, and tireless efforts by PLs and CSU staff.
“During the first year of Covid-19, we had several confirmed sites that suddenly could no longer accommodate students,” Clemens said. “That prompted a flurried new round of recruitment, and it was amazing to hear ‘Yes, I can do that,’ so many times.”
Several new preceptors shared their thoughts on the value of precepting and what inspired them to raise their hands this year. Their remarks below have been lightly edited for clarity.
Jessica Bumpus ’17 MSN, APRN
Community Health Partnership of Illinois
Where do you work and what is your role there?
I am a family nurse practitioner at Community Health Partnership of Illinois, which is a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) that serves all patients including the uninsured, underserved, and migrant and seasonal agricultural workers (MSAW) across rural and urban communities in northern and central Illinois.
I have been providing primary care services for the past 3.5 years with a focus on chronic disease management, health promotion, and disease prevention. This past year, I became a Buprenorphine waivered practitioner to treat Opioid Use Disorder and a Certified Medical Examiner to perform DOT physical exams so we will be offering these services at our health centers soon.
What inspired you to become a preceptor with YSN for the first time this year?
I was inspired to become a preceptor out of appreciation for the YSN community that helped shape the person and the practitioner that I am today. Despite starting my first job feeling like an imposter, consumed with self-doubt and wondering what I got myself into, I took each day one at a time and it did not take long before I realized that I was made and well-prepared for this.
While my nature tends to be timid and indecisive, it is so empowering to confidently step into my role as a nurse practitioner. I did not anticipate that a role so challenging, complex, and vital would be so freeing and energizing for me. I credit much of this to YSN. I precept so that students have a safe space to learn, ask questions, be encouraged, and develop a relationship that will help make their transition into professional practice smooth and unintimidating. Not to mention that precepting is an excellent way for me to continue learning both through students and through the accountability of staying on top of the most up-to-date guidelines, as healthcare is always changing.
When you were a student, is there a preceptor experience that stands out for you?
My most memorable clinical experience as a student was a year-long rotation at Community Health Center of Groton. I applied to YSN with the intention of pursuing a career in community health and this rotation reassured me that community health is exactly what I want to do. It energizes and excites me today as much as it did then! I don’t dread Mondays!
What advice would you give to other first-time preceptors? Or to students on these clinical rotations?
To first-time preceptors: be approachable, be humble, and encourage questions. To students: bring questions and ask questions.
Richard W. Geller, M.D.
Norwich Pediatric Group, P.C. in Southeastern Connecticut
Where do you work and what is your role there?
I am the senior pediatrician and owner of the Norwich Pediatric Group, P.C. in Southeastern Connecticut. The practice is over 60 years old, and I am the third owner. NPG is a large practice with two physicians and five pediatric nurse practitioners. I have worked at NPG for 40 years with no retirement in sight!
What inspired you to become a preceptor with YSN for the first time this year?
I have been a preceptor for over 35 years; as a member of the clinical faculty of the UConn School of Medicine, the Frank Netter School of Medicine at Quinnipiac University and now YSN. I was taught early on by my teachers that it is our (the current generation of healthcare providers) responsibility to educate the next generation of physicians and nurses. I take this responsibility seriously and I enjoy sharing my medical knowledge with my medical students and nurse practitioner students.
When you were a student, is there a preceptor experience that stands out for you?
As a medical student, I was fortunate to have two mentors, and both continued to share their knowledge of medicine with me over the years. Sadly, one is deceased and although the other is 85 years old, I know that I can still learn from him.
What advice would you give to other first-time preceptors? Or to students on these clinical rotations?
My advice to other preceptors: students are in your office to learn by doing, not by shadowing! Students are eager to learn by interacting with patients, not by observing you interact with patients, although it is important that they see us acting as good role models. Students readily accept constructive comments and guidance.
I tell my students that it is an honor to provide healthcare to our patients. It is also an honor to educate future practitioners.
Tiffany Jackson, CNM, MSN
MomDoc Midwives in Gilbert, AZ
Where do you work and what is your role there?
Staff CNM at MomDoc Midwives.
What inspired you to become a preceptor with YSN for the first time this year?
One of my co-workers had a midwifery student and I sometimes helped. It had been a long time since I took a student on and I realized I was missing the enjoyment of watching a student grow and learn.
When you were a student, is there a preceptor experience that stands out for you?
One of my co-workers was one of my primary preceptors many years ago. I was lucky to have her and one of the other midwives. They really played a big part in who I am as a midwife today.
What advice would you give to other first-time preceptors? Or to students on these clinical rotations?
For both: communicating openly and honestly about strengths and weaknesses is super important. Hang in there! It does get easier over time.
Jessica Kelly-Hauser ’18 MSN, APRN
Yale New Haven Hospital in New Haven, CT
Where do you work and what is your role there?
I work as a Hospitalist/Internal Medicine APRN at Yale New Haven Hospital (both York St and St. Raphael’s). I am also a member of our procedure team, which provides bedside lumbar punctures, paracentesis, and ultrasound-guided IV placement.
What inspired you to become a preceptor with YSN for the first time this year?
I have been looking forward to being a preceptor since I was a student, due to both positive and negative experiences with my own preceptors and others’ preceptors during clinical rotations. I also knew that students were having difficulty with placements due to the pandemic.
When you were a student, is there a preceptor experience that stands out for you?
The experiences where I was allowed to feel autonomous or be hands-on, while knowing my preceptor was fully there for me like a safety net. I feel like that’s the only way (especially in rotations closer to graduation) a student can start to make the transition to become an independent provider.
What advice would you give to other first-time preceptors? Or to students on these clinical rotations?
When my manager asked me to precept, I wasn’t sure what I could offer as a new grad, having only been on the job for a year and a half. Then I realized that I had a lot to offer as a new provider!
The advice I would give first-time preceptors is: you are enough, you are valuable, and just go for it because precepting will actually make you a better provider. And the advice I would give to students is to look to their seasoned providers and preceptors for the clinical pearls, the wisdom, the experience and the calm vibes, and to look to their new grad preceptors for what the student-to-provider transition is really like, what we have found most helpful as new providers, and for the beauty and the fun in (what can feel like) chaos.
I just had the honor of watching my first-ever YSN APRN student be hired by our service, totally rock her orientation, and get credentialed to perform paracentesis without supervision. She has her own patient list now and I could not be more proud.
Kimberly Riquelme, DO
Joshua Center Shoreline and Southeast in CT
Where do you work and what is your role there?
My role is attending psychiatrist for the Joshua Center Shoreline and Southeast. Both programs are child and adolescent PHP and IOP programs, the southeast program also has an EDT program. Our client population can range from ages 5 to 18 who are a step up from outpatient care or step down from inpatient or ED. Clients participate in intensive group therapy 3-4 hours a day 3-5 days a week with our clinicians.
In my role, I am part of all intake evaluations, weekly PHP follow ups and IOP medication management visits as well as team rounds twice a week.
How do you approach precepting with students?
When I have students/inters working with me they typically shadow all of my duties. Between appointments we discuss cases and topics specific to child and adolescent psychiatry, including medication management, safety assessments, biopsychosocial formulation and differential diagnosis. Occasionally students may be with me to view a virtual grand rounds presentation. I try to have them sit in on groups with different age clients and different clinicians to get a feel for group dynamics and psychotherapy as well.
When you were a student, is there a preceptor experience that stands out for you?
Being an osteopathic physician, I do not have the experience of having been a nursing student but I do try to be open and transparent about how different professions may have different procedures and expectations at different stages of training.
Is there anything else you’d like to share?
I have precepted medical, PA and NP students from other programs in the past, and it has been a pleasure working with the PNP nursing students.
Become a Preceptor
Are you interested in becoming a YSN preceptor? Learn more about the benefits and sign up here. And if you would like to share your reasons for precepting for a future article, reach out to ysn.communications@yale.edu.