New initiative offers perks to preceptors

Many of Grand Valley's nursing and health professions students are mentored and taught during their clinical experiences by preceptors, the professionals in hospitals, clinics and other health care settings who serve as student supervisors.

Through a new initiative from the Office of the Vice Provost for Health, those preceptors will earn additional benefits. The Preceptors Perks program offers preceptors benefits like a gratis faculty appointment for the academic year, access to Grand Valley's Fieldhouse and library system, community discounts, and free registration to the annual West Michigan Interprofessional Education Initiative Conference.

Jean Nagelkerk, vice provost for Health, said the Perks program is a small way to thank the preceptors who play an important role in a student's clinical assignment.

“The opportunity for students to experience an exceptional clinical learning environment helps shape their disciplinary knowledge and skills that are essential for future career success," Nagelkerk said.

Several students are finishing clinical assignments at Holland Hospital this semester. The hospital is the first clinical affiliate model under the new Perks program.

Allyson Stokosa, a nursing major, is working closely with her preceptor, Meggan Hefferan, for 160 hours over the course of the semester, mostly on the Spine/Orthopedics floor. Stokosa said patients have been very receptive to having a student nurse take an active role in their care.

"Meggan and I have a routine, a plan before going into a patient's room," Stokosa said. "We will split the duties. I'll do the assessment while Meggan handles the medication.

Occupational therapist Amy Parker supervisors the work of Joseph Tan, who is working with patients at the hospital and at outpatient facilities. 

"It's been amazing watching how much Joseph and other students develop," Parker said. "By the second six weeks of their internship, they are much more independent and working very effectively with patients."

Dani Treffers is not working directly with patients but her assignment in the medical records office gives her an overview of how a hospital operates. Treffers is a health information management major and will graduate in April. 

"Right now, I'm helping with projects related to coding, billing, quality assurance, it's a wide spectrum," Treffers said, adding she will also shadow people in human resources and information technology.

Her preceptor, Michelle Carter, is Holland Hospital's health information management manager and privacy officer. Carter said the internship experience helps students understand the daily aspects of the job.

"There is book experience and classroom experience, but students need the practical experience to help them understand the problem-solving and collaboration that makes up a large part of the day," Carter said.