Clinical education of nurse practitioner students: Identifying incentives, barriers, and working models to develop sustainable preceptorships

Abstract

The purpose of this article is to discuss ongoing barriers nurse practitioner (NP) programs face securing clinical education opportunities, identify incentives to precept, and introduce working models to sustain quality placements. A comprehensive review of literature related to NP preceptorships was performed. Commonly identified barriers included lack of compensation and decreased productivity. Motivating factors included a desire to give back to the profession and credit toward recertification. Working models to establish academic practice partnerships, streamline patient schedules, and prepare preceptors were shown to positively impact the precepting experience. Novel approaches to NP clinical education are necessary to create robust and sustainable learning opportunities.