S

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.
• 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.
• Professional Behaviors: Ethical performance, punctuality, completion of assignments, positive relationships, compliance with dress code, responsiveness to feedback.
• Cell Phones & Electronic Devices: Restricted to professional purposes or emergencies. Unauthorized photography or storage of patient information is strictly prohibited under HIPAA.

• 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. 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 FERPA. Refer to the graduate bulletin for the complete policy.

• 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 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)