Perspectives, experiences, and opinions precepting advanced practice registered nurse students

•Quality improvement study to describe the perspectives, experiences, and opinions of licensed APRNs regarding their precepting experiences of APRN students who attend a variety of academic programs.•Despite more APRNs in the US than ever before, competing professional demands culminate in difficulty placing APRN students with qualified preceptors. Before a solution can be addressed, a better understanding of the problem is required to explore major confounders and ensure the best intervention choice in the future.•The research team identified one overarching theme: need for shared responsibility and six primary themes: (1) APRN student experience, (2) academic program process and procedures, (3) preceptor experience, (4) incentives, (5) healthcare facility/system policy and procedures, (6) accreditation and professional organizations.•Two administrative rules were filed and adopted to the Iowa Legislature. They state, “An education program shall not require students to find their own preceptors, rather there should be a collaboration between the nursing program and student to find an appropriate preceptor. When the student is in an ARNP track, the student shall have the majority of preceptorship learning experiences with a preceptor who is an ARNP or other healthcare provider with the same role and population focus for which the student is preparing.” Significant growth in advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) student placements for clinical practicums have forced APRN preceptors, hospitals, and clinics to restrict the volume of APRN students they can accommodate. Describe the experiences and opinions of APRNs regarding their precepting experiences of APRN students in three main areas; placement antecedents, placement postcedents, and preceptor incentives. Quality improvement study conducted via electronic survey that contained quantitative short answer and a qualitative open-ended question of APRNs licensed in the State of Iowa in June, 2019. A total of 757 surveys were quantitatively analyzed. Qualitative thematic analysis resulted in identifying one overarching theme, the need for shared responsibility and accountability, and six unique primary themes. Our findings indicate that APRN preceptors recognize their critical role but lack support and preparation to fully execute academic and profession strategic goals and objectives. There is the need for academic and professional ownership of APRN education at every level.