Dear Preceptors,
We’ve gone electronic! Please see our orientation to the MDAT/EDAT process letter. We believe that an electronic version of our current student evaluation tool will be easier and more efficient for students and preceptors to access and use.
Instructions for completing the DDAT below:
1. Daily Developmental Assessment Tool (DDAT): These are to be completed once per week per preceptor. All
preceptors must complete this form. On the top of the form, please review the student’s documented dates/ hours and number of patients seen each day to ensure accuracy. Please add or modify the lower half of the form (interaction level, student strengths/opportunities for improvement and expectations) as appropriate to provide feedback for the student.
2. Preceptors must include a comment on the student's performance. The completed DDAT is then viewed by the student and is reviewed by the Regional Clinical Faculty (RCF). The RCF will incorporate your feedback into our work with the student to facilitate learning, skill development and role transition.
3. Please email or the student's RCF if you have questions or prefer to share concerns directly with faculty. Regional Clinical Faculty are dedicated to supporting your team as well as the student during their clinical practicum.
Instructions for completing the EDAT/MDAT below:
We now have an End-of-course Developmental Assessment Tool (EDAT), along with a Mid-Course Developmental Assessment Tool (MDAT). These forms are used throughout the duration of a student's clinical experience with the expectation that as the student’s skills improve over time, so will their score. A student’s competency in each area should progress from novice/beginner to that of a safe, entry-level practitioner by the time they are ready for graduation in nearly all areas assessed.
We have transitioned from five clinical courses to three clinical courses (751, 752, 753), and since the beginning of 2025, students have been required to complete a minimum of 750 total clinical hours (related to direct patient care) as below:
○ 751 (minimum 200 clinical hours, minimum 20 hrs/week)
○ 752 (minimum 300 clinical hours, minimum 28 hrs/week)
○ 753 (minimum 250 clinical hours, minimum 24 hrs/week)
Please complete these forms within 1 week of when you receive them. Providing timely, honest evaluation and frequent feedback is important for students’ skill acquisition. Learners are encouraged to reflect upon and incorporate feedback to facilitate growth and professional skill & behavior attainment.
Regional Clinical Faculty (RCF) are your student’s primary professor during their clinical practicum and work closely with each student including reviewing all preceptor feedback. If you have concerns that a student is not making adequate progress toward becoming a safe, entry-level clinician, please reach out to their RCF. Early communication between preceptors and FNU will best support our students’ success.
CNM & WHNP students will send a link to the MDAT at the halfway point in each course and will submit the EDAT form as they near the total hours needed to complete each course. FNP & PMHNP students will submit a link to the EDAT form as they near the total hours needed to complete the course. MDAT/EDAT links will be sent to the primary preceptor, who can complete it individually or coordinate with colleagues to provide comprehensive feedback and assessment of the student’s clinical progression.
If the student has not had an opportunity to demonstrate a skill, please score it as Not Observed. FNU faculty encourages preceptors and students to seek opportunities to develop all skills listed during their clinical rotation. If your site cannot accommodate a skill, please speak with your student's RCF.
Preceptor Evaluation - Competency Rating Title Descriptions
Not Observed - Student has not had the opportunity to demonstrate this skill.
Novice - Beginner with no experience. Behavior is limited and inflexible. Follows instruction but requires constant guidance, prompting and/or coaching.
Advanced beginner - Understands process. Acceptable performance, requires occasional guidance, prompting and/or coaching.
Competent - Able to perform skill in normal situations. Demonstrates efficiency, coordination and confidence.
Safe entry-level practitioner - Consistently demonstrates ability to assume the role of a safe entry-level practitioner. Recognizes the need for and seeks out occasional assistance. This is the goal level at completion of clinical.
We appreciate your efforts and partnership with us to support students in reaching their goal of becoming a CNM, FNP, PMHNP, or WHNP. Thank you for serving as a Frontier Nursing University preceptor!
Please reach out to the student's RCF if you have any questions or concerns. Early communication between preceptors and FNU will best support students’ success.
Preceptor Profile Instructions :
FNU Preceptor Profile Instructions This instuctions shows preceptors how to: access the preceptor profile login, update W9 & preceptor payment election forms, and complete MDAT & DDAT submissions.The process for the EDAT submission is the same as the process for MDAT/DDAT submissions.
