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Supervised Practice

Supervised Practice Responsibilities & Timeline

Responsibilities of A‑State Students in Supervised Practice
Expectations for Student Conduct
  • Initiate contact with your preceptor prior to the first day to confirm time, location, dress code, and parking.
  • Prepare for and actively participate in all supervised practice activities, taking responsibility for your own learning.
  • Follow all policies outlined in the Dietetics Student Handbook.
  • Adhere to the policies and procedures of the assigned facility.
  • Avoid personal calls, texts, and emails while at the facility.
  • Communicate regularly with preceptors about expectations, progress, questions, and challenges.
  • Plan and organize daily and weekly assignments, ensuring that learning objectives are met.
  • Submit required paperwork and evaluations to preceptors well before deadlines to allow time for review and signatures.
  • Be willing to step outside your comfort zone to grow and learn.
  • Show respect for the knowledge and experience gained through professional practice.
  • Recognize that preceptors volunteer their time without additional pay or tangible rewards, giving back to the profession.
  • Accept both positive feedback and constructive suggestions with gratitude, recognizing their value to your growth.
  • Manage personal health and responsibilities to ensure you can devote full focus and energy to supervised practice.
Policies During Supervised Practice
  • Student Replacement of Employees: Students do not replace employees for routine work responsibilities unless staff relief is planned as part of the CP supervised practice experience to meet specific competencies. Preceptors should adhere to rotation schedules and learning activities provided by the program director/practicum instructor.
  • Professional Dress Code: Students must follow the dress code outlined in the handbook. Improper attire will result in dismissal to change clothes, and time lost is considered absence time. Specific attire varies by rotation (e.g., lab coat in clinical settings, slip-resistant shoes in food service, A-State t-shirt at Farmer’s Market).
  • Professional Behaviors: Students are expected to demonstrate ethical performance, punctuality, completion of assignments, positive relationships, compliance with dress code, and responsiveness to feedback. Unprofessional or disruptive behavior may result in corrective or disciplinary action.
  • Cell Phones & Electronic Devices: Use of personal devices is restricted to professional purposes or emergencies, at the discretion of the faculty member or clinical site.emergencies. Unauthorized photography or storage of patient information is strictly prohibited under HIPAA.

Responsibilities of Preceptors in Supervised Practice

  • Provide a thorough orientation to the supervised practice setting.
  • Meet regularly with the student you are precepting.
  • Allow students to shadow and learn from your professional practice.
  • Foster a positive and supportive learning environment.
  • Offer opportunities for students to apply what they have learned.
  • Provide assistance and supervision as needed.
  • Evaluate student progress through verbal and written feedback.
    • Notify the student and practicum instructor early in the rotation if expectations are not being met, so adjustments can be made.met. Evaluation results should never come as a surprise at the end of a rotation.
  • Complete required supervised practice documentation in a timely manner.
  • Serve as a positive role model.
  • Participate in preceptor training:
    • Read the preceptor handbook
    • Complete online training (Appendix B) and self‑assessment tool (Appendix C)
    • Attend university training sessions
    • Note: ACEND updated the online training in 2023. If you completed it prior to 2023, you may retake it to earn CEUs. The training provides 8 CPEUs at no cost.
  • Protect student privacy by adhering to the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), which affords students certain rights regarding their educational records.FERPA. Refer to the graduate bulletin for the complete policy.

Responsibilities of Practicum Instructors in Supervised Practice
  • Communicate promptly any changes in procedures, curriculum, rotation descriptions, or competencies/learning outcomes to both preceptors and students.
  • Monitor student progress using competency evaluation forms.
  • Address concerns raised by preceptors or students in a timely and professional manner.
  • Conduct regular site visits to engage with preceptors and students.
  • Incorporate preceptor feedback into ongoing program assessment and improvement.
  • Collaborate with preceptors to develop solutions and alternatives when challenges arise.

Practicum Rotation Timeline
  • ➡️ Practicum I (NSP 6123) – 3 credit hours
    School and long-term care food service
    Onsite Hours: 180
  • ➡️ Practicum II (NSP 6223) – 3 credit hours
    Hospital food service
    Onsite Hours: 180
  • ➡️ Practicum III (NSP 6323) – 3 credit hours
    Community nutrition practice
    Onsite Hours: 180
  • ➡️ Practicum IV (NSP 6424) – 4 credit hours
    Clinical practice in long-term care and hospital settings
    Onsite Hours: 270
  • ➡️ Practicum V (NSP 6524) – 4 credit hours
    Clinical practice in hospital and outpatient settings
    Onsite Hours: 270

Total Supervised Practice: 17 credit hours (1,080 onsite hours)

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