Nurse Practitioner Students Struggle with Preceptor Placements

🚨 Most nursing students leave clinical rotations confused—not because they didn't learn, but because no one helped them process what they experienced. The magic happens in the debrief. That's where "aha" moments turn into lasting knowledge. After reviewing 6 evidence-based debriefing models, here's what separates good clinical education from transformational learning: ✅ **3D Debriefing Model** - Creates psychological safety first, then dives deep into critical thinking ✅ **PEARLS Framework** - Structures feedback to build confidence while addressing gaps ✅ **Plus-Delta Approach** - Simple but powerful: What worked? What needs changing? The best debriefing models don't just review what happened—they help students connect theory to practice in ways that stick. Students need space to reflect, question, and make sense of complex situations. Without proper debriefing, clinical experiences become just "tasks completed" instead of learning opportunities. Your debriefing approach can be the difference between a student who survives their shift and one who thrives in their career. 💭 Which debriefing method has created the biggest "lightbulb moments" for your students?

Debriefing is an essential part of turning an experience into learning. A skilled educator can help learners leverage their experiences to important and lasting application to future practice. Self reflection can only take your learning so far, often the magic happens in talking about it and linking the experience to underlying principles and evidence, or sometimes as exceptions for expected pathways.

NCLEX pass rates are fluctuating, but nurse education leaders say there's no need to panic. In fact, some call the trends "inspiring." We interviewed four experts who explain: ✓ Why Next Generation NCLEX changes are working as intended ✓ How COVID-impacted cohorts are affecting current numbers ✓ Which teaching strategies produce 100% pass rates (yes, really!) ✓ Why clinical judgment integration matters more than test prep. Get expert perspective + actionable strategies for your program on the ATI Educator Blog: https://hubs.ly/Q03KsTm_0

NCLEX pass rates dipped in early 2025 - but the story behind the numbers is one of opportunity, resilience, and progress. As Patty Knecht, PhD, RN, ANEF, notes, “today’s students learn differently from students of even 5 years ago” and programs must meet them with engaging, multimedia-rich learning and data-driven support. And Patrick Robinson, PhD, RN, ACRN, CNE, ANEF, FAAN, reminds us: “The NGN has validated that students can rise to the challenge of a more rigorous and clinically authentic exam.” Please take some time on your Friday afternoon to read our latest blog - awesome insights! https://hubs.ly/Q03KsTm_0 #NursingEducation #NCLEX #NextGenNCLEX #NurseEducators #ATI #ClinicalJudgment

In two years, nearly 1 in 3 Guild healthcare learners move into a nursing role. That’s mobility and momentum in action. Because when education is aligned to critical roles, impact follows. Discover what makes applied learning programs actually work — and how to scale them with results: https://lnkd.in/gmDxumqv

When Change Wears a Uniform: Embedding Acceptance in Nursing Placements. What if professionalism wasn’t a performance, but a place to belong? In clinical education, bias often hides behind “concerns,” “fit,” and “professionalism.” But when we challenge snap judgments, confront educator bias, and reimagine mentorship as sanctuary, we don’t lower standards—we raise humanity. This post is a call to action: To rewrite the scripts that exclude neurodivergent brilliance To build cultures that reflect before they judge To empower educators to name bias and advocate boldly To make placements places of growth—not gatekeeping If bias wears a uniform (https://lnkd.in/eMFVV57a), so must change. Link to full Blog: https://lnkd.in/eGqvC7Rc Let’s make space for difference not just tolerate it, but celebrate it. #NeurodiversityInNursing #DecolonisingHealthcare #ProfessionalismRedefined #HornEffect #ConfirmationBias #AutismAcceptance #DecolonisingHealthcare #NurseEducation #WorkplaceCulture #MentorshipMatters

I love coming up with creative skills opportunities and simulation-based experiences for our students. Building our simulation curriculum to support students nurses to become practice-ready nurses reminds me that effective clinical education isn’t about piling on complex scenarios; it’s about deliberately building foundational skills and clinical judgment. Like a chef mastering the basics before moving on to advanced recipes, we scaffold experiences to align with learning outcomes. We start with fundamentals, then layer realism and interprofessional nuance as readiness grows. Here's a few things I am always thinking about with simulation and curriculum design: -Meeting learners where they are in their educational journey -Supporting facilitators to create a psychologically safe space for learning and deliberate practice -Reducing cognitive load through strategic prebriefing -Providing manageable challenges that promote growth -Focusing on foundational skills before introducing complexity -Guiding students to THINK, not just DO -Ensuring students have time to have a thoughtful debrief and connect-the-dots The goal isn’t exposure to countless scenarios—it’s providing thoughtful opportunities for deliberate practice and mastery of competencies that students need to be confident, practice-ready nurses. How are you scaffolding in your simulation program? #AACNEssentials #NursingEducation #HealthcareSimulation #ClinicalJudgment #ScaffoldedLearning #Prebrief #Debriefing #FacultyDevelopment

Alan Jervis It’s has been an absolute pleasure this week to present to Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust new Preceptorship Cohort on how to help their patients with long term health conditions to Move More in their day. Increadably, when asked if anyone had received training whilst at university on the benefits of physical activity for themselves and their patients only one participant out of 60 put their hand up…that one of course was a Physio…I also had in the room Nurses, OT’s, Podiatrist, Speach and Language therapists- if the government’s 10 year plan really wants to move from Sickness to Prevention this has got to change … we’ve got to better educate our students of health care - Active Cornwall are taking on the challenge of closing this knowledge gap. What is a Preceptee?…NHS preceptorship is a structured period of support and guidance for newly registered healthcare professionals as they transition into their first roles. It helps them build confidence, develop skills, and become more autonomous practitioners through support from an experienced colleague called a "preceptor". This support is also available for those returning to practice, working in the UK for the first time, or moving to a new role.

🎓 Yesterday we hosted our Educators Conference, bringing together educators from across all clinical backgrounds. A huge thank you to everyone who joined us — and to all the educators shaping the next generation of the NHS workforce. Nick Merrifield set the tone perfectly, speaking about the importance of training, development, and the long-term workforce plan that underpins everything we do. Jennie Morrison’s story reminded us of the power of a single placement — how one experience can shape an entire career and inspire the next generation of nurses. Yvonne Coldron highlighted the incredible expertise within NHS England, the support for Master’s degrees, and the different routes to Advanced Practice recognition, helping educators and employers grow and retain talent. Martin Brunet  had us thinking differently about patient interactions — likening it to building a house: patients know their homes best, and our role is to step inside respectfully and understand where the cracks or pinch points lie. Douglas Hing & Vasa talking about the power of our very own multi professional faculty Dr Eugenia Lee  then brought it all together beautifully, sharing reflections on leadership, learning, and the role of educators in driving continuous improvement across primary care. We closed the day on a high with Dame Clare Gerada and Emma Henderson , in conversation about the power of humour and laughter – even in the toughest times. Clare shared how this theme took her all the way to the Edinburgh Fringe, exploring how humour helps us cope, connect, and carry on. 💬 Their message was clear: if we don’t laugh, we can’t do our jobs – not just to stay well ourselves, but to keep our patients safe. If you’ve ever thought about hosting a student — or are sitting on the fence — reach out to your local Training Hub. Because one placement really can change everything. Thank you to the team and Laura Jackson for pulling togather a great day Mohan Khateja Agatha Zehra Julie Mehreen Dr Rizvia Tom Manotheethan Azhar Agnelo Chaandni Nicola Julie Julie Wandsworth GP Federation Sayanthan Mariam Kingston GP Chambers Chaandni Charlotte