Congratulations to the 2018 Clinical Preceptors of the Year!

The UW School of Nursing is proud to announce its 2018 Clinical Preceptors of the Year. The preceptors and mentors represent a variety of advanced practice tracks at the UW School of Nursing.

Preceptors and mentors are healthcare professionals practicing in the community who volunteer to teach School of Nursing students in clinical settings, allowing students to receive important hands-on patient care experience.

“Being a preceptor gives an experienced nurse the opportunity to impart not only knowledge, but also the patience, compassion, cultural awareness, and sensitivity that are essential professional skills,” said Azita Emami, Ph.D., M.S.N., R.N.T., R.N., F.A.A.N., executive dean, Robert G. and Jean A. Reid Endowed Dean, of the UW School of Nursing.

Amy Anderson RNC, MN, PNS, Providence Pacific Medical Center Everett, Perinatal Nurse Specialist  

Anderson has been a preceptor for Clinical Nurse Specialist students since graduating from the University of Washington. She believes one should give back to the art of nursing and that precepting is one of the skills nurses should develop as experienced nurses.

“We need to pass on our knowledge and support our new hires as they build their own skills as new nurses,” Anderson said.

“I have enjoyed spending time with my students, not only to provide them with experiences and expertise as an advanced practice nurse, but also to learn from them as well. I truly appreciate being able to grow alongside my students.”

Margaret Depew, PMHNP-BC, Peninsula Community Mental Health Center, Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

Depew started precepting almost 25 years ago. She had a great mentor in school and wanted to ensure great clinical experiences for other students as part of her practice. She’s always worked for organizations that were very supportive to students.

“I remember my own preceptor passing on to me a book, “From Novice to Expert” by Patricia Benner (1984), this was cutting edge as it was 1985.” Depew said. “Her theory of clinical competency has guided me for the last 2-1/2 decades.”

“But people always stand beyond theories and it has been the students- passionate, smart, well-prepared (and willing to drive out to Port Angeles) who continue to amaze me, and make mentoring such a pleasure.  I always get back more than I give.”

Elizabeth Hadland, ARNP, Mary Bridge Pediatrics – Covington, Pediatric Nurse Practitioner

Hadland started with ARNP students when she started at Primary Care in Covington. She remembered how hard it was having to find a preceptor when she was in school and decided then that she would be open to students when she landed a primary care job in pediatrics.

“I absolutely love my job and want to help others to grow and learn. I love having students because they are bright, eager to learn, energetic, and keep me on my toes with questions and help to both validate my current practice and keep me up to date.” Hadland said,

She is honored and humbled to receive this award and is grateful to my students for their recognition of her.

Bonnie Hill CNM, ARNP Franciscan Women’s Health Associates at St. Joseph, Nurse Midwifery

Hill precepted graduate nursing students on and off through her professional career. Her specialty is menopause and hormones.

“I continue to precept because I love mentoring and teaching students sharing 30 years of clinical pearls.” Hill said.  “It’s a way to give back, I learn from them and they keep me current!”

She has a personal and professional commitment to helping graduate midwifery students learn the basics of gynecology and women’s health because much of midwifery practice is Obstetrics.

“Our work is truly an honor caring for the heart of the world by caring for women.  Nothing better than to hear their stories and witness women birthing themselves at midlife.”

Melanie Maltry, MS, Best Starts for Kids at Public Health – Seattle & King County Community Health Nursing (Population Health)

This is Maltry’s first year serving as a preceptor.

“The partnership between Best Starts for Kids and the UW School of Nursing provided an incredible opportunity to draw upon our collective strengths and expertise to better understand needs in King County and more equitably invest in home-based supports to improve outcomes for moms and babies,” Maltry said.

Susan Pambianco, ARNP, UWMC Division of Cardiology (Advanced Heart Failure), Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner          

Pambianco has been precepting since 2011.

“What I love most about precepting students is watching them grow more confident in their skills and when they have that “ah-ha!” moment when a concept/disease/skill finally makes sense,” Pambianco said.

Alvin Tiu, MD, VA Puget Sound Primary Care Clinic, Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner

Alvin has been precepting students and residents for 20 years now.  He has been in Washington since 2000 and prior he worked at Madigan Army Medical Center and was the clerkship coordinator for the family medicine rotation for the UW.

Since 2013, he has worked at the VA in Seattle and has continued to precept students.

“I have enjoyed teaching medicine my entire career.  Lifelong learning is part of any medical/nursing career and having the opportunity to continue to teach is a privilege,” Tiu said.

Bomy Yun, MSN, ARNP NeighborCare Health at Rainier Beach, Family Nurse Practitioner

Bomy Yun started precepting UW DNP students in 2015. She is a family nurse practitioner practicing in a community health setting. Her goal was to not only help students learn the essentials of primary care, but also share with them the rich experience of caring for a culturally diverse, medically and psychosocially complex patient population. Students understand first-hand that social determinants of health have an immutable impact on the health of patients, their families, and the community at large.

“What I enjoy most about precepting is watching the transformation of students into self-assured nurse practitioners with their own style of practice,” Yun said.

“Precepting has been one of the most enjoyable aspects of my job, and I am grateful to my students for allowing me to partake in their journey.”

If you are a nurse and ready to share your wealth of knowledge by being a preceptor, please contact Dr. Hilaire Thompson, our graduate program director, at 206.616.5641 or via email.