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Become a Nurse Preceptor for Student Nurses

Volunteer with your employer to become a preceptor for student nurses and get a monetary incentive for your time and effort.

We are now accepting submissions for Fall 2023. 

  • Fiscal year 2022-2023 has closed.
  • Submissions are no longer accepted for the 2022-2023 academic year.

Washington State Student Nurse Preceptorship Grant (WSSNPG)

The Washington legislature has set up a grant for student nurse preceptorship. This grant funds nurses who precept nursing students in health care settings. 

The amount varies from cycle to cycle, but usually ranges from $500 - $1000 one-time reimbursement per student precepted. 

WA State Student Nurse Preceptorship Grant (WSSNPG) Overview - Spring 2023

The goal of the preceptor grant program is to:

  • Help reduce a shortage of healthcare settings for students.
  • Bring more nurses into the workforce.

Who is eligible?

  • Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioners (ARNP)
  • Registered Nurses (RN)
  • Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN)

State and Federal government nursing employees:

  • You should confirm that you won't violate State or Federal ethics laws before submitting.
  • Consider contacting your leadership team to verify. 

Requirements to be a student nurse preceptor

To be a nurse preceptor you must:

  • Have an active license.
  • Have at least one year of clinical or practice experience.
  • Be employed at an approved practice site.

More information:

How to qualify for reimbursement 

Information on how to get the student nurse preceptor reimbursement.

To qualify for the reimbursement, you must:

  • Meet all requirements to be a student nurse preceptor.
  • Volunteer to be a student nurse preceptor with your employer.
    • Employer must be an approved practice site by an approved education program.
  • Complete at least 80 qualifying hours of precepting clinical instruction per student. 
    • A student nurse preceptor may precept up to 2 students per term.
  • Submit all required documents by the reimbursement cycle deadline of your preceptorship. (See Reimbursement cycles table below.)

In addition, your clinical practice hours must:

  • Occur in a facility approved by a Washington State nursing program.
    • Out-of-state programs don't qualify, even if the clinical hours take place in Washington.
  • Be in the final term of clinical for RN and LPN pre-licensure students.
    • ARNP students can be in any clinical cycle for reimbursement.  

How to apply for reimbursement 

  1. Register for a Statewide Vendor Number (SVN) with the Office of Financial Management (OFM) via the Vendor/Payee Registration Form.
    .
    • You must get a personal SWV (we don't accept Business SWVs).
    • It can take up to 10 business days to get.
    • You only need to apply once - it doesn't expire.
    • You must update your SWV number registration information every 2 years to be valid.
    • Contact OFM for any contact information changes, such as address, email, phone, etc.
    • Tips on Registering for your Statewide Vendor Number (PDF)
       
  2. Complete the Certification of Hours (COH) (PDF) form.
    .
    • The education program will email the COH form to you when you finish precepting
    • The education program will fill out the first page
    • The education program Dean or Director will sign the COH form certifying the preceptor hours
    • Make sure form is filled out correctly. 
    • Certification of Hours (COH) form EXAMPLE (PDF)
       
  3. Email completed COH form to PGVerifications@doh.wa.gov.
    .
    • You must send the COH form by the due date listed in the Reimbursement Cycles (below).

    Reimbursement Cycles

    We are currently accepting reimbursement submissions for the Fall 2023 cycle.

    Reimbursement cycles

    Preceptorship end date

    Documentation deadline*

    Summer July 1 - August 31 September 15
    Fall September 1 - December 31 January 15
    Winter January 1 - March 31 April 15
    Spring April 1 - June 30 June 25

    *Deadline is firm. We must receive all required documents and information by this date.  

    Details: 

    • Preceptorship end date: the timeframe your preceptorship ended in.
    • Documentation deadline: date you must have your reimbursement paperwork turned in. 

    Reimbursement Resources

    Preceptor Resources

    Online training resources and information on being a preceptor.

    Preceptors: Helping new nurses transition to practice

    Free self-paced learning module from WABON. 

    • Developed using materials developed by Shandra L. James, DNP, RN, and the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN).
    • Overview of the wide range of roles and responsibilities of the preceptor and suggestions about how to fulfill each role.

    Go to course: Preceptors: Helping New Nurses Transition to Practice

    Preceptor Education Program (PEP)

    Free self-directed interprofessional program created by Western University in Canada.

    • 8 interactive learning modules
    • Modules include downloadable resources, learning exercises, video case scenarios, and references. 

    Go to modules: Preceptor Education Program (PEP)

    FAQs

    What is a nursing preceptor?

    A nursing preceptor is a practicing licensed nurse who provides personal instruction, training, and supervision for nursing students during clinical rotations.

    Am I eligible to precept a student?

    You are eligible to precept a student if you are a licensed LPN, RN, or ARNP that meets requirements of WAC 246-840-533, and employed at an approved clinical practice site. An approved practice site is a facility with an affiliation agreement with an approved Washington state nursing educational program.

    How many times can I apply for this grant?

    You can apply for this grant up to 2 times per payment cycle, for a maximum of 8 payments per year. 

    I did not get my payment. What do I do? 

    If it has been 8 weeks or more since you submitted your paperwork you should contact the Preceptor Program directly at dohncqacpreceptorship@doh.wa.gov.

    Preceptor Grant Team

    • Victoria L. Hayward, MSN, RN, CNOR
    • Helen Budde, Preceptor Grant Specialist
    • Kaknika Pisith, Administrative Assistant

    Contact information