Development of an online orientation course for preceptors in a dedicated education unit program.

The dedicated education unit (DEU) is an emerging model of nursing education. Instead of an instructor-led clinical group, students are partnered with a unit staff nurse for precepted learning. These experiences in learning typically begin with early clinical courses. Precepting nursing students in a DEU is different from precepting newly hired staff nurses and traditional clinical students. This article describes the DEU model implemented at one university, the challenges associated with preparing staff nurses to precept nursing students, the development of a face-to-face DEU preceptor orientation, and progression to an innovative online orientation course. Copyright 2013, SLACK Incorporated.