Mentor/Coach and Role Model for Students

Specifically, the FCA: 

1. Coaches the student regarding the FNP or AGNP role expectations. 
2. Acts as a professional and clinical role model. 
3. Provides consistent support/encouragement for students learning new skills. 
4. Provides opportunities for collegial sharing and analysis of clinical experiences. 
5. Assists the student in maximizing use of the clinical site. 
6. Helps the student negotiate issues or problems in the site. 
7. Assists the student with setting realistic and specific personal goals within the framework of the course objectives. 
8. Observes the student in actual practice to offer suggestions and praise, as appropriate. 
9. Recognizes the student is responsible to seek out information regarding unfamiliar clinical situations. 
10. Refers the student to special resources, references, or learning aids to improve weak areas of practice, as needed. 

Evaluator of Student Performance

For example, the FCA: 

1. Assists the student in self-evaluating strengths and areas of improvement in: a) written communication, b) verbal presentation, and c) knowledge base. 
2. Provides student with feedback on clinical progress based on program expectations for the specific quarter. 
3. Evaluates student's performance for safety and level of competence using the clinical evaluation tool. 
4. Provides timely feedback on clinical assignments that acknowledges strengths and provides specific recommendations on areas for improvement. 

Liaison to the Community

The FCA acts as a representative of SPU School of Nursing to the preceptor, clinical site, and clients seen during site visits.  The FCA offers support and feedback, as indicated, to enhance the preceptor's functioning and the quality of the instruction to students.  The FCA initiates contact with the site at the beginning of the quarter through email or telephone call and maintains contact, (site visits, email), as necessary to keep abreast of student progress throughout the quarter.  

The FCA communicates and works closely with the Clinical Practicum faculty regarding student or clinical site concerns and clarity of the FCA responsibilities.  The FCA notifies the faculty representative early if concerns arise with student progress or site/preceptor issues.  

Student Assignment

At the beginning of the quarter, the FCA will be assigned a student(s) based on faculty load or availability.  The primary Clinical Practicum Faculty will provide the FCA with:  

• The student’s name and contact information 
• The preceptor’s name, contact information, and clinical site information

Meeting with the Student

The FCA will communicate with their assigned student(s) every two week via e-mail or phone.  In these communications, the FCA will:  

• Coach the student regarding NP and DNP competencies as outlined by the DNP Essentials and NONPF Core Competencies. 
• Coach the student regarding role expectations in advanced practice, practice inquiry, leadership, healthcare systems, and population health. See Appendix A for examples. 
• Provide consistent support/encouragement as students learn new skills. 
• Provide opportunities for collegial sharing and analysis of clinical experiences. 
• Assist the student in maximizing use of the clinical site. 
• Help the student negotiate issues or problems in the site. 
• Assist the student with setting realistic and specific personal goals within the framework of the course objectives. 
• Refer the student to special resources, references, or learning aids to improve weak areas of practice, as needed. 

Example email: 

Hello, Student. 

I will be your Faculty Clinical Assessor (FCA) this quarter.  My plan is to connect with you every two weeks throughout this quarter to provide support and encouragement as you set goals and learn new skills in your clinical practicum site. 

How are things going in clinical practicum so far? What do you see as your strengths?  What are areas that are challenging for you? 

Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns. 

I look forward to working with you this quarter. 

Your Name, Credentials 
Clinical Faculty 
School of Health Sciences

SEATTLE PACIFIC UNIVERSITY | SPU.EDU 

*Please use SPU email and the SPU signature above when sending emails to students.