Debunking the myth: Does precepting really lower nurse practitioner productivity?

BACKGROUND: The 2021 AACN Essentials emphasize the importance of preparing practice-ready nurses at all levels, making access to high-quality clinical experiences a critical component of nurse practitioner (NP) education. However, the national shortage of NP student preceptors is a significant challenge for NP educational programs that can jeopardize the clinical learning environment. One commonly cited barrier to precepting NP students is the belief that precepting reduces productivity. PURPOSE: The purpose of this pilot study was to determine if precepting NP students was associated with differences in productivity, as measured by relative value units (RVUs). METHODOLOGY: Nineteen preceptors from family, adult-gerontology acute care, adult-gerontology primary care, and psychiatric mental health NP tracks within a Doctor of Nursing Practice program were identified. Preceptors practiced in outpatient specialty areas and had precepted an NP student at least three times during the previous 3 years. Billing data were used to obtain RVUs for semesters in which NPs precepted students and semesters in which they did not. Average RVUs were then compared across semesters. RESULTS: Mean RVUs were significantly higher during semesters in which NPs precepted students compared with semesters in which they did not. CONCLUSION: This pilot study challenges the belief that precepting NP students reduces productivity. IMPLICATIONS: Colleges of nursing and health systems should partner to examine productivity data of NP student preceptors to clarify the impact of precepting on productivity and inform evidence-based strategies to support NP clinical education and the NP workforce pipeline.