Clinical Evaluations
Preceptors should meet with the student formally at the beginning of the clinical practicum to review the evaluation criteria (Appendix C) to ensure the expectations and responsibilities of the preceptor and student are understood. During the clinical experience, the preceptor should provide both formative and summative evaluations. Formative assessment can be provided during weekly or bi-weekly discussions between the preceptor and student related to clinical performance. Summative evaluation is required at mid-term and at the conclusion of the semester. Both summative and formative evaluation provides the preceptor with the tools to identify and discuss deficiencies that may warrant clinical failure.
Formative evaluation is an assessment by the preceptor in the form of feedback to the student regarding their performance during the clinical practicum. Feedback should be given to the student that is professionally appropriate and specific to the situation. Timely feedback is valuable to students and can facilitate precipitous learning. Evaluating the FNP student’s performance with constructive feedback should occur frequently. Ongoing feedback provides students with the opportunity to enhance their performance during the course of the clinical practicum. Role performance areas in which students have achieved competence should be discussed, as well as those areas that have been identified as weak and needing improvement. Specific recommendations from the preceptor on strategies for improving clinical performance will be helpful to students and should be documented in anecdotal notes and a midterm evaluation.
Summative evaluation is the assessment of the student’s performance at the midpoint and end of the clinical practicum. The summative evaluation describes the student’s performance, development, and improvement at the midpoint and conclusion of the clinical practicum.
Clarity of comments and specific examples of situations that illustrate the comments written on the evaluation form are important to student learning. Written comments are particularly valuable if the student needs remediation in a specific competency area or if faculty is asked for a recommendation of the student’s clinical ability. The preceptor should review the mid-term and final evaluations with the student.
Evaluation Process
Students will complete an initial self-evaluation during each clinical rotation. We ask preceptors to review the self-evaluation and provide any additional feedback as necessary. A link to the final clinical evaluations will be sent to the preceptor’s email after the completion of the clinical rotation through Typhon. A Typhon login is not required. Students will complete a final clinical evaluation of the preceptor and clinical site at the end of each rotation.
Important Downloads
Initial Clinical Evaluation Form
