Toolbox

toc Here are a few resources to help support the work you do as a preceptor.

=SLU Mission Statement=

The Mission of Saint Louis University is the pursuit of truth for the greater glory of God and for the service of humanity. The University seeks excellence in the fulfillment of its corporate purposes of teaching, research, health care and service to the community. It is dedicated to leadership in the continuing quest for understanding of God's creation and for the discovery, dissemination and integration of the values, knowledge and skills required to transform society in the spirit of the Gospels. As a Catholic, Jesuit university, this pursuit is motivated by the inspiration and values of the Judeo-Christian tradition and is guided by the spiritual and intellectual ideals of the Society of Jesus.


 * In support of its mission, the University:**
 * Encourages and supports innovative scholarship and effective teaching in all fields of the arts; the humanities ; the natural, health and medical sciences; the social sciences; the law; business; aviation; and technology.
 * Creates an academic environment that values and promotes free, active and original intellectual inquiry among its faculty and students.
 * Fosters programs that link University resources to local, national and international communities in collaborative efforts to alleviate ignorance, poverty, injustice and hunger; extend compassionate care to the ill and needy; and maintain and improve the quality of life for all persons.
 * Strives continuously to seek means to build upon its Catholic, Jesuit identity and to promote activities that apply its intellectual and ethical heritage to work for the good of society as a whole.
 * Welcomes students, faculty and staff from all racial, ethnic and religious backgrounds and beliefs and creates a sense of community that facilitates their development as men and women for others.
 * Nurtures within its community an understanding of and commitment to the promotion of faith and justice in the spirit of the Gospels.
 * Wisely allocates its resources to maintain efficiency and effectiveness in attaining its mission and goals.

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=SLU School of Nursing Mission Statement= The mission of the School of Nursing is education of "the whole person" — mind, body, heart and spirit, within a dynamic, diverse and technological society. The School of Nursing, an integral unit of Saint Louis University, seeks to fulfill its mission of education and leadership in the development of nursing as a discipline and profession through teaching, research, practice, and service in ways consistent with the Catholic, Jesuit values of the University. The School of Nursing acts responsibly by setting priorities and exercising stewardship to assure the best use of its resources.

The School, through the teaching component of the mission, prepares students at baccalaureate, master's, post-master's, and doctoral levels for professional nursing practice and interprofessional collaboration to care for the whole person, the "cura personalis". The School creates a student-centered environment that recognizes and actively addresses the diverse learning needs of students and an academic climate that promotes intellectual inquiry among faculty and students.

The School, through the research component of the mission, advances the active engagement of faculty and the involvement of students in the innovative scholarly process of discovery, dissemination, and translation of knowledge. The School promotes interprofessional collaboration in the conduct of research to maintain or improve health.

The School, through the service/practice component of the mission, promotes quality health care of individuals, families and communities to alleviate ignorance, poverty, injustice and hunger; extend compassionate care to the ill and needy; and to maintain and improve the quality of life for all persons. Saint Louis University School of Nursing faculty, staff, students, and graduates provide this holistic care by working with people in diverse environments to maintain or improve health.

// Approval body: GFA Last reviewed: May 2008 Reviewed and revised: November 18, 2013 //

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=SLU School of Nursing Philosophy= The School of Nursing, as an integral component of Saint Louis University, upholds the Judaeo-Christian philosophy and mission of the University to pursue truth for the greater Glory of God and for the service of humanity. The faculty of the School of Nursing believes that all persons are created by God and possess intrinsic worth and dignity. We believe the very origin of nursing lies in the fundamental capacity to care for those in need. Recognition of cura personalis requires that acceptance, compassion and respect characterize relationships among faculty, staff, administrators, and students in the School, and relationships with individuals, families, and communities and other health care professionals in nursing practice settings. The School of Nursing provides a collegial environment of academic freedom in which students develop knowledge, insight, values, accountability, and professional competence.

Study of the liberal arts provides an essential foundation for the development of an educated person. Such an education assists students to develop greater knowledge of self, of God, of other people, and of the world in which they live. Attributes, such as intellectual insights, collaboration, communication, logical and analytical skills, and the exercise of independent judgment, are acquired through study of the humanities and the biological, physical, behavioral, and social sciences. This foundation also facilitates the study and practice of professional nursing.

Nursing as a profession and as a discipline is concerned with the promotion and maintenance of health, prevention of illness, care and rehabilitation of sick and disabled persons, and compassionate care of the dying. As a discipline developing its own science, nursing continues to expand its body of knowledge and to identify its articulations with the theories and practices of other relevant disciplines.

Nursing education is a collaborative endeavor of faculty and students in which each contributes and shares talents to enhance learning. Faculty members, having achieved expertise, facilitate each student's search for knowledge and self-actualization. Given students' individual abilities, interests, and career goals and changing societal needs, the faculty provides a range of educational programs and uses a variety of teaching methods. All educational experiences are designed to help students develop as critically reflective and socially responsible persons who are capable of making informed, prudent ethical decisions. The faculty encourages student self- assessment and evaluation, thereby preparing graduates for continuing personal and professional development. The faculty believes that continuing education is an integral component of nursing education and offers continuing education programs as a community service.

Initial preparation for professional nursing practice at Saint Louis University is organized around explicit concepts that structure the nursing content in the curriculum; such structure facilitates learning. Upon completion of the baccalaureate generalist program, the graduate possesses the theoretical base in nursing and related disciplines and the skills - both interpersonal and technological - required for practice. The graduate demonstrates the ability to integrate knowledge with skills and to collaborate with individuals, families, communities and other health care professionals in nursing practice settings. The graduate is prepared to begin a career in the practice of nursing in a variety of health care settings with individuals of diverse cultural backgrounds and ages. Education at the baccalaureate level prepares graduates for advanced study in nursing.

Master's education provides for the attainment of advanced knowledge and the ability to apply nursing theories in practice and for the development of clinical leadership skills. Upon completion of the master's generalist program, the graduate is prepared with the ability to provide leadership for nursing care at the microsystem level. Nurse practitioner education at the master's level provides for the mastery of a methodology for advanced practice to address patient needs within a population focus. Graduates of the master's program contribute to the development of nursing through their practice, leadership, scholarly activities, and involvement in professional associations. Education at the master's level prepares graduates for doctoral-level study in nursing.

Doctoral education provides leadership for the continuing development of nursing as a discipline and a profession. The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) prepares nurses for advanced practice with the specialized knowledge and skills needed to diagnose and manage health and illness and improve the quality of health care in all practice settings using evidence and outcome-based methodologies. DNP graduates demonstrate clinical expertise, and promote high quality patient-centered care with an emphasis on interprofessional collaboration within the health care delivery system.

The Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing (PhD) fosters commitment to knowledge generation and expanding the science of the discipline. As stewards of the profession, graduates apply methods of knowledge discovery to advance nursing scholarship and practice. The study of nursing as a scientific discipline is complemented by advanced study in related disciplines to address complex healthcare issues.

// Approval Body GFA Revised and approved: May 2010 Revised and approved: November 18, 2013 //

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=Progression of a Nurse Practitioner Student=

Beginning Student

 * Student spends initial time observing preceptor.
 * Student assessment skills should be validated by the preceptor.
 * Student management plans need significant guidance.
 * Student needs high level of direction, which decreases as skill level increases.
 * As student progresses, preceptor allows student to take on more independent responsibilities.

Intermediate Student

 * Student becomes more proficient in analyzing data, is more skilled with assessing and formulating management plans.
 * Student improves use of time and resources.
 * Student may require assistance in prioritizing and coordinating care.
 * Student requires support and assistance for complex cases.
 * Student is ready to demonstrate other NP functions such as patient/family teaching and participating in teams.

Advanced Student

 * Student is expected to perform all role functions in an organized, efficient, skillful, and independent manner.
 * Student is expected to engage in interdisciplinary role collaboration, consultation, and referral.
 * Student and preceptor develop a more collegial relationship.

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=Articles=
 * Position Description: SLU SON Preceptor
 * Mastering the Preceptor Role web | PDF
 * One Minute Preceptor

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