How can a nursing educational program increase the number of students in clinical settings?
Nursing programs may use clinical preceptors as faculty extenders for a portion of clinical learning experiences. If a faculty member uses preceptors in a course, the ratio of faculty to student can increase from 1:10 to 1:12 with 2 students being assigned to preceptors. In a course where the use of preceptors is the sole method of student instruction and supervision in clinical settings, the ratio of faculty to student can be increased to 1:24 with the faculty coordinating the preceptors. In professional nursing (RN) programs, clinical teaching assistants can work with students in the clinical area under a Master’s prepared faculty member and the ratio can be increased to 1:15.
