title: Preceptors' perspectives on benefits of precepting student pharmacists to students, preceptors, and the profession.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To educate pharmacists on the shortage of quality preceptors and the benefits received from precepting; present insights from successful preceptors and offer guidance to current and prospective preceptors; and encourage pharmacists to become preceptors and mentor aspiring pharmacy professionals.
  
  
  METHODS
  Advanced experiential settings for Nova Southeastern, Ohio Northern, and Creighton Universities. PRACTICE DESCRIPTIONS: Hospital, community, and outpatient clinic settings.
  
  
  METHODS
  Successful incorporation of student pharmacists and the experiential process into pharmacy practice.
  
  
  METHODS
  Not applicable.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A variety of factors has produced an increased demand for qualified pharmacist preceptors, including workload issues, an increasing number of pharmacy schools, and an increased experiential load in the pharmacy school curricula. Characteristics of quality preceptors include demonstrating enthusiasm in their teaching, being open to questions, and providing constructive feedback. Sites and preceptors can benefit from teaching student pharmacists by receiving assistance in developing and maintaining clinical services, sensing the satisfaction of giving back to the profession, and material rewards provided by schools of pharmacy. In this article, three successful preceptors share their perspectives and insights about precepting, and a professional organization perspective is included to highlight the support for precepting student pharmacists.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Additional introductory and advanced quality pharmacy experiential practice sites are needed, and pharmacists are encouraged to contact nearby pharmacy schools to become preceptors.
authors.affiliation: Office of Experiential Education, Pharmacy Practice Department, School of Pharmacy and Health Professions, Creighton University, 2500 California Plaza, Omaha, NE 68178, USA. mskrabal@creighton.edu
authors.forename: Maryann Z
authors.initials: MZ
authors.lastname: Skrabal
authors.forename: Abby A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Kahaleh
authors.forename: Ruth E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Nemire
authors.forename: Hylan
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Boxer
authors.forename: Zachariah
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Broshes
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Harris
authors.forename: Elizabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Cardello
mesh_terms: D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D004512:Education, Pharmacy; D007373:Interinstitutional Relations; D010593:Pharmaceutical Services / Q000458:organization & administration; D010595:Pharmacists / Q000523:psychology*; D010604:Pharmacy; D011231:Preceptorship; D013339:Students, Pharmacy