ANPD Preceptor Assessment Tool (PAT) Repository A National Database for Preceptor Assessments

Preceptor Definition

“An individual with demonstrated competence in a specific area who guides, assesses, and validates the knowledge, skills, and attitudes needed to transition to a new role, specialty, or environment in the healthcare setting” (Harper, Ulrich, et al., 2023, p. 3).

ANPD Preceptor Assessment Tool Description

The Association for Nursing Professional Development (ANPD) Preceptor Assessment Tool (PAT) is the culmination of nearly 5 years of research that began with a preceptor job analysis followed by an e-Delphi and expert panel review to develop consensus around required preceptor competencies. These competencies are available here. The PAT was developed from the list of evidence-based competencies and psychometrically tested with over 400 individuals including preceptors and their stakeholders (preceptees, faculty, and individuals responsible for preceptor oversight such as managers and nursing professional development [NPD] practitioners). It is the only known nationally tested preceptor assessment tool.

The PAT consists of 72 items: 6 core competencies and 66 competencies in 7 subscales. It also requests basic demographic information and takes approximately 30 minutes to complete. It can be used by preceptors for self-evaluation, by individuals precepted (preceptees), and entities responsible for preceptor oversight (e.g., NPD practitioners, managers, academic faculty) to provide a comprehensive assessment of a preceptor’s performance. The PAT can be used to meet accreditation criteria for transition to practice programs.

Purpose of the ANPD PAT Repository

The ANPD PAT Repository serves as a national database for preceptor evaluations. Healthcare organizations can use the repository pursuant to completing the application and an ANPD PAT Repository Agreement. Organizations must submit a 5-item organization code consisting of letters, numbers, or both to be used by all individuals from the organization who complete the PAT. This identifier allows organizations’ data to be extracted, upon request, from the repository. Aggregate organizational data can be used to evaluate preceptor program effectiveness. Additionally, organizations can provide users with individual department identifiers to allow department assessment. Upon completion of the PAT, individuals can provide an email address to obtain a link to print individual results.

Researchers can obtain aggregate de-identified data from the ANPD PAT Repository for research pursuant to completing an agreement with ANPD and providing the ANPD Director of Research & Inquiry with a research proposal and evidence of institutional review board (IRB) review or exemption. Researchers must acknowledge use of the ANPD PAT Repository in all dissemination activities such as presentations and publications.

Obtaining Access to the Repository and/or Data

Organizational Access

Complete the electronic data requested below.
Complete an ANPD repository agreement and submit.
Upon approval, a link to the Preceptor Assessment Tool will be provided for distribution to individuals who will complete the assessment.
The organization is responsible for providing the 5-item organization ID Code and the individual department identifiers (if desired) for users to input in their surveys.
Individuals who complete the PAT can provide an email to obtain a link to access their individual results, if desired. It is up to the individual to submit individual results to the organization if requested.

Organization name

Organization physical address

Primary organization contact person

Primary organization contact person’s email address

Organization ID Code: 5-item code consisting of letters, numbers, or both, for use in surveys

Department(s) that manage preceptor program

Individuals authorized to request organizational data (name & email)

Submission of ANPD repository agreement *

Enter the code shown above:

Submit

Researcher Access

Primary researcher’s name and credentials

Primary researcher’s email address

Other research team members’ names, credentials, and email addresses

Is research part of an academic requirement? *

Academic institution name

Type of degree program (e.g., PhD, DNP)

Faculty sponsor’s/committee chair’s name

Faculty sponsor’s/committee chair’s email address

Please submit the following items:

Research proposal synopsis *

Copy of IRB letter of review/outcome *

Faculty sponsor’s letter of recommendation (if the research is part of an academic requirement)

Enter the code shown above:

Submit

References

Harper, M. G. (2024). Preceptor competencies: Developing the competencies. Journal for Nurses in Professional Development, 40(1), 1-3. DOI: 10.1097/NND.0000000000001030

Harper, M. G., Ulrich, B., Whiteside, D., Warren, J. I., & MacDonald, R. (2021). Preceptor practice: Initial results of a national ANPD study. Journal for Nurses in Professional Development, 37(3), 154-162. doi: 10.1097/NND.0000000000000748

Harper, M. G., Ulrich, B., MacDonald, R., Maloney, P., Warren, J. I., Whiteside, D. (2023). Summary findings from the 2023 preceptor competency consensus study. https://www.anpd.org/Portals/0/Files/ANPD_1127571-23_PreceptorCompetencies_Report.pdf

Harper, M. G., Warren, J. I., & Maloney, P. (2023). The NPD practitioner: Responsibility for preceptor programs. In B. T. Ulrich (Ed.), Mastering precepting (3^rd ed., pp. 347-368). Sigma.

Harper, M. G., Whiteside, D., Warren, J. I., MacDonald, R., & Ulrich, B. T. (2023). The Association for Nursing Professional Development National Preceptor Practice Analysis Study: An exploration of perioperative preceptors. AORN Journal, 118(24-34). https://doi.org/10.1002/aorn.13950

Warren, J. I., Harper, M. G., MacDonald, R., Ulrich, B., & Whiteside, D. (2023). The impact of preceptor education, experience, and preparation on the role. Journal for Nurses in Professional Development, 39(4), 191-200. doi: 10.1097/NND.0000000000000822

Ulrich, B., Harper, M. G., Maloney, P., Warren, J. I., Whiteside, D., MacDonald, R. (2025). National preceptor consensus study. JONA: The Journal of Nursing Administration, 55(1), 14-21. DOI: 10.1097/NNA.0000000000001523