Factors Influencing the Decision to Precept NP Students

Abstract

The purpose of this descriptive study was to identify barriers and incentives to precepting NP students among APRNs in Kentucky. An anonymous survey, adapted from Webb  (NONPF, 2012) was sent through the listserv of the state APRN professional organization. One hundred and twelve (112) responses were collected. The majority of the sample was Caucasian (92%), female (94%), Master’s prepared (79%) FNPs (68%).  The average age of respondents was 59 while the average years of experience were 12.  Results revealed access to educational or academic resources and information from the academic program were the most positive factors influencing the decision to precept. These positive factors included credit towards professional recertification, access to online clinical resources, contact information for the responsible faculty member(s), and the processes for dealing with student performance and student evaluations.  Interestingly, financial payment was not a strong factor in the decision to precept whereas numerous comments were received indicating professional duty or ’paying it forward’ were important considerations.  Factors seen as the most influential barriers to precepting were time and ability to meet productivity expectations. Results are limited by small sample size and specific geographic region. These findings are consistent with previous publications regarding perceived barriers to NP precepting (Lyon and Peach, 2001; Barker and Pittman, 2010). Confirmation of findings on a national level is warranted. Findings from this study may assist academic programs in the recruitment of new preceptors and maintenance of relationships with established NP preceptors.