Scheduling the Site Visit

The FCA will visit the student in the clinical site between weeks 5 – 7 of the quarter. If a student has a late start, the visit should be made after the student has completed four weeks in the site.    

1. The FCA will email the student at the beginning of the quarter to schedule the site visit.  The student will coordinate with the FCA and preceptor to propose a site visit on a day and time that is acceptable to the preceptor and clinic.  

1. The FCA will confirm the exact date and time of the site visit with the student. The student will notify their preceptor.  

Example email: 

Hello, Student. 

I would like to visit you at your clinical practicum site between July 15 – August 2.   

It looks like you are in clinical practicum on Mondays and Fridays.  What is your preceptor's schedule like on those days (start, lunch, and end time)?  

Is there a day and time (morning or afternoon) that works best for your preceptor? 

This is what you can expect during the site visit: 

• I will shadow you with at least 2 patients and hear you give report to your preceptor 
• I will observe how you review patient charts and evidence based resources before the patient encounter 
• I will review 2 of your chart notes from this month.  (Please prepare them before my visit.) 
• We will review your Mid Quarter Self Evaluation. (Please bring a copy on the day of my visit.) 
• We will discuss your goals and if you feel you are meeting them 
• We will discuss how you are tracking / recording your learning 
• I will talk with your preceptor for 5-10 minutes 

I look forward to hearing from you soon. 

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. 

Conducting the Site Visit 

• The site visit typically lasts 3-4 hours. 
• The FCA will observe how the student reviews the patient’s medical record and evidence based resources to prepare for the patient encounter. 
• The FCA will observe the student with at least two patients. 
  • The patient is always asked if it is ok for the FCA to be in the room as the student interviews and examines the patient.   
  • The FCA is a non-participant observer while the student cares for the patient. 
  • The FCA may need to observe more than two patient interactions depending upon the type of visit and the ability to thoroughly assess the skills of the student. 
  • See "Practicum Expectations for Nurse Practitioner Students" for guidelines 
• The FCA will observe how the student reviews evidence based resources to develop an assessment and plan 
• The FCA will observe the student “giving report” / presenting to the preceptor 
  • See "Giving Report / Presenting to the Preceptor" for guidelines 
• The FCA will review two chart notes that the student completed in the past month. 
  • The student must deidentify the chart notes before the site visit. 
  • The FCA will provide feedback on things done well, opportunities for improvement, and evidence of critical thinking. 
• The FCA will review the student’s Mid Quarter Self Evaluation with the student.  
  • The Self Evaluation will be available for FCA review in Canvas before the site visit.  
  • Student should also bring a copy of the Self Evaluation on the day of the site visit. 
• The FCA will discuss the student’s goals and provide coaching on how to set appropriate goals and ways to meet them. 
  • The student’s weekly goals and reflection are submitted in Canvas for FCA review. 
• The FCA will discuss how the student is tracking and recording their learning. 
  • Where is the student saving resources for practice and patient education? 
  • How is the student keeping track of the things they learn throughout the clinical day? 
• The FCA will meet with the preceptor privately for 5-10 minutes at a time that is convenient for them. 
  • Ask the preceptor about the student’s strengths, opportunities for improvement, whether the student can be counted on the consult with the preceptor, and whether the student is sufficiently safe and competent to advance to the next quarter (or graduate if Spring quarter). 
  • Thank the preceptor for precepting, giving their time, and sharing their knowledge.   
  • Ask if the preceptor would be willing to precept next quarter or a subsequent quarter. 
• The FCA will debrief with the student at the end of the site visit. 
  • Discuss observed strengths and areas for improvement.  Provide feedback, support, coaching, and encouragement as indicated.  
  • If it is clear the student is meeting the competencies expected for the current quarter, the FCA will inform the student they did well and are ready to advance to the next quarter (or graduate if Spring quarter). 

Students Who Do Not Meet Clinical Competency During the Site Visit

Occasionally, students fail to demonstrate clinical competency during the site visit, it is not clear the student is ready to advance, or the preceptor has reservations about the student.  If this is the case at the end of the site visit, the FCA will debrief with the student to offer constructive feedback and inform the student the FCA will need to consult with the primary Clinical Practicum faculty regarding next steps.    

1. The FCA will contact the primary Clinical Practicum faculty to discuss their concerns and findings during the site visit.   
2. The FCA, with assistance from the primary Clinical Practicum faculty, will create a written Improvement Plan using the SHS format and procedure outlined in the Nursing Student Handbook.  The FCA will outline their observations about student performance during the site visit and needed improvements.  The student will complete a plan for improvement.  The FCA and student will meet to review the plan agreement. 
3. The FCA will conduct a second site visit with the student before week 10 of the quarter (usually 3 to 4 weeks after the first site visit) to reassess the student’s progress. If the student performs well, in a manner that addresses the deficiencies stated in the Improvement Plan, and meets their own practice goals, the student can advance to the next quarter. 

It is rare that a student performs so poorly in a site visit or a preceptor has such grave concerns about a student’s competency and safety that they want the student removed from the site, but it does happen.  If that is the case, the primary Clinical Practicum faculty assumes responsibility for managing the situation after notification by the FCA.      

In past circumstances, even if the preceptor is frustrated or worried about the student’s performance in clinic, they almost always want the student to stay in the site and are willing to help the student develop the competencies needed to pass the second site visit and move on to the next quarter or graduate.