Role of the Faculty Clinical Assessor (FCA)

During each clinical practicum quarter, a Faculty Clinical Assessor (FCA) is assigned to every student to assist the student's timely acquisition of clinical skills and knowledge. The FCA role encompasses two functions that are integral to the student's development as a clinician and also serves as a liaison from SPU to the community.

Mentor/Coach and Role Model for Students

Specifically, the FCA:

Coaches the student regarding the FNP or AGNP role expectations.
Acts as a professional and clinical role model.
Provides consistent support/encouragement for students learning new skills.
Provides opportunities for collegial sharing and analysis of clinical experiences.
Assists the student in maximizing use of the clinical site.
Helps the student negotiate issues or problems in the site.
Assists the student with setting realistic and specific personal goals within the framework of the course objectives.
Observes the student in actual practice to offer suggestions and praise, as appropriate.
Recognizes the student is responsible to seek out information regarding unfamiliar clinical situations.
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:

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

See Assessment of Student Performance: The Site Visit.

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.