Practice area: Women's Health

How would you describe your experience as a preceptor?

As a preceptor for Boston College since 2008, I have had the pleasure of meeting many women's health NP students during their advanced practice training. The students always begin the year eager but unpracticed, as this is typically their first exposure to patient care as a Nurse Practitioner. They quickly start to gain momentum as they gain knowledge and confidence, starting to see patients more independently, until ultimately they are managing the patient schedule unassisted. It is a process that is very satisfying as a teacher to observe.

What did you enjoy most about being a preceptor?

What I enjoy most about being a preceptor is not only to see how much my students learn from the experiences in my clinic, but how much I also learn from them as fresh eyes in a field that is always changing, always developing new information. This growth benefits us both.

Practice area: Adult Primary Care & Refugee/Immigrant Health Care

How would you describe your experience as a preceptor?

I feel honored to serve as a resource for future advanced nursing professionals. Precepting is in alignment with my core values that celebrate knowledge and professional growth. The journey of contributing to the preparation and dissemination of advanced practice nursing knowledge is among my most fulfilling experiences. Dr. Maya Angelou has said it best: "when you learn, teach! When you get, give!"

What did you enjoy most about being a preceptor?

I enjoyed providing NP students with clinical tools to get them ready for the real life experience. And, of these tools the one I enjoy the most is the use of effective heath care communication with patients and teams.

Practice area: Pediatric Primary Care/Urgent Care

How would you describe your experience as a preceptor?

Being a preceptor has been such a positive and enjoyable experience. Watching students expand their clinical knowledge and skills as the semester progresses is so exciting and, personally, very rewarding. The passion and dedication the students have to their clinical experience is so fruitful to their learning and allows us to establish a learning space that not only benefits us, but the patients and their families as well.

What did you enjoy most about being a preceptor?

Being able to watch students gain confidence in their abilities and reach the point in their academic careers where they feel ready to enter the workforce as new NPs is my favorite part about being a preceptor. Having a part in this journey is both gratifying and exciting!

Practice Area: Palliative Care

How would you describe your experience as a preceptor? 

Precepting BC NP students has only strengthened my practice as a palliative care nurse practitioner. BC students come prepared and ready to take on challenging situations to enhance their own professional and personal growth. As a preceptor, I help to translate what the students learn in the classroom into clinical practice.

What did you enjoy most about the role?

I most enjoy witnessing the transformation that the students take over the course of the semester, from shy and novice to confident and proficient. I love knowing that I am contributing to the development of the next generation of nurse practitioners.

Practice area: Minimally Invasive Gyn Surgery

How would you describe your experience as a preceptor?

I love that I am granted the amazing opportunity to help train and prepare our future Nurse Practitioners, because the future of health care is the Nurse Practitioner. My experience as a preceptor with the BC nursing program has been nothing short of adventurous and rewarding. I know that when I'm getting a student from BC, I am getting a motivated, intelligent, kind, and compassionate individual.

What did you enjoy most about being a preceptor?

I love seeing the progression from being a nervous, insecure NP student to becoming a confident and competent provider. So much so that the student becomes an extension of myself and we actually become co-collaborators and joint problem solvers. So, the patient gets two NPs instead of one. It's always a win-win to take on a BC nursing student.