Please refer to the Program Details section on this page.
Preceptors do NOT need to create a “MyTHA” account.
Information and incentives have been updated as of May 2025. Please review all information thoroughly as items have changed.
Nurse Preceptor Incentive Program
Volunteer with your employer to grow the next generation of nurses and receive a monetary incentive for your time and effort.
In 2024, THA launched a pilot program to support nurse preceptors in the state of Tennessee. For the pilot, we provided incentives and professional development opportunities to two cohorts of nurse preceptors.
The THA Preceptor Incentive Program is a grant funded program from the Tennessee Hospital Association and the Tennessee Center for Health Workforce Development. This program was created to help support the nursing pipeline by providing training and an incentive to academic preceptorships in nursing, thereby increasing the availability and quality of these placements for students.
The goal of the preceptor program is to:
- Increase the knowledge of preceptors on concepts and theories in learning, communication, and academic preceptorship.
- Reduce the shortage of clinical settings for students.
- Increase the number of nurses entering the Tennessee state workforce.
Please note the following items:
- All elements must be completed by the designated deadlines to qualify for the incentive payment.
- Incentive payments are made directly to the preceptor.
- All communication regarding the program will be managed via this email address. Please be sure to save it to your contacts: preceptorincentiveprogram@tha.com
Preceptorship is a standard element of the nursing profession, and the development of future nurses is a professional expectation of every healthcare professional.
Due to funding, we know that we may not be able to provide incentives to each applicant. Please note that by participating in this program, you are aware that funding is distributed until it is exhausted.
Preceptor Requirements:
Qualified nurses are to complete the following items to qualify for the student preceptor incentive. Preceptorship is defined as a licensed nurse’s oversight of student nurses during clinical hours that contributes to their academic program of study.
Preceptors will follow the process outlined below to participate in the program:
Preceptors will complete two (2) professional development courses and complete hours within one of two ranges.
Incentives for preceptors vary based on the number of hours of preceptorship. Preceptors will receive one payment for each incentive cycle for the highest number of approved hours.
| Number of Preceptorship Hours (per incentive cycle) | Incentive Amount (per incentive cycle) |
|---|---|
| 70 – 115 hours | $1,500.00 |
| 116 – 160 hours | $2,300.00 |
Incentive Cycle Schedule:
Spring 2025 Incentive Cycle closes on May 10, 2025, at midnight Central Time.
| Spring 2025: January 1 - May 1, 2025 | |
|---|---|
| January 1, 2025 | Incentive Cycle Opens |
| May 1, 2025 | Incentive Cycle Opens |
| May 10, 2025 | Submission Deadline for Documentation |
| May 15 - 25, 2025 | Incentives Distributed |
| Summer 2025: May 1 - August 1, 2025 | |
|---|---|
| May 1, 2025 | Incentive Cycle Opens |
| August 1, 2025 | Incentive Cycle Opens |
| August 15, 2025 | Submission Deadline for Documentation |
| August 20 - September 5, 2025 | Incentives Distributed |
| Fall 2025: August 1 - December 1, 2025 | |
|---|---|
| August 1, 2025 | Incentive Cycle Opens |
| December 1, 2025 | Incentive Cycle Opens |
| December 10, 2025 | Submission Deadline for Documentation |
| December 15 - 25, 2025 | Incentives Distributed |
| Spring 2026: January 1 - May 1, 2026 | |
|---|---|
| January 1, 2026 | Incentive Cycle Opens |
| May 1, 2026 | Incentive Cycle Opens |
| May 10, 2026 | Submission Deadline for Documentation |
| May 15 - 25, 2026 | Incentives Distributed |
Program Details:
- This program is only available to those precepting student nurses (LPN, RN, APRN) currently.
- THA does NOT place students with preceptors as a part of this program.
- Preceptors should work with facility leadership or those who manage clinical placements in your organization to find student placements.
- Preceptors must complete all elements of the program and submit documents by the due date indicated for each incentive cycle.
Preceptor Eligibility:
- Ensure that your participation in this program is not a violation of employer policies. Please contact your leader or the Human Resources office for questions.
- Local, state, and federal government nursing employees should confirm eligibility for the preceptorship grant program.
To be eligible for a nursing preceptorship incentive, each applicant must meet the following requirements:
- Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.
- Must have an unrestricted Tennessee (state or compact) nursing license.
For APRNs:
- Be a Tennessee licensed advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) providing clinical preceptorship at an eligible practice site for APRN students enrolled in an approved and accredited Tennessee public or private school of nursing.
For LPNs or RNs:
- Be a Tennessee or Multi-State licensed registered nurse (RN) or licensed practical nurse (LPN) who provides clinical education at an eligible practice site for RN or LPN students in an approved and accredited Tennessee public or private school of nursing.
An eligible practice site is a clinical site that has been approved by a Tennessee state public or private nursing education program for student clinical practice. The nursing education program and the clinical facility must have a current clinical affiliation agreement.
Students attending schools in the following states may complete clinical hours: Alabama, Kentucky, Virginia, Georgia, Arkansas, Mississippi, and Missouri. However, precepted hours must be completed within the state of Tennessee.
Ferrol Thomas, DNP, RN
Director of Workforce Strategies
Tennessee Hospital Association
Sarah Kane
Community Engagement Manager
Tennessee Hospital Association
Contact Us
preceptorincentiveprogram@tha.com
Bethany Pack, MSN, RN Director of Education Cookeville Regional Medical Center Leslee Collins System Director, Clinical Education Ballad Health Nicki Staples, MSN, RN, OCN System Director, Nursing BMHCC Corporate Office Jennifer Hardy, MSN, RNC-OB Clinical Educator Maury Regional Medical Center Beth Broadway Director of Education TriStar Stephanie Packer Gibbs, MSN, RN Director of Nursing, Medical/Surgical Ascension Saint Thomas West Diane Leonard MSN, BSN, RN, CNEcl Assistant Professor of Nursing Nashville State Community College Carolyn Harmon, PhD, DNP, RN, NI-BC Nurse Scientist TN Center for Nursing Advancement Elizabeth Thomas Assistant Professor of Nursing Roane State Community College Andrew “AJ” Donadio DNP, MSN, RN MEDSURG-BC, CNE Assistant Professor of Nursing Tennessee Tech University Donna Grisham APRN, MSN, FNP-C Assistant Professor of Nursing Baptist College Health Sciences Wendy Likes, PhD, DNSc, APRN-Bc, FAAN, FAANP Dean and Professor Ruth Neil Murry Endowed Chair UT Health Science Center | Lindsey L. O’Hagan, MSN, RN, LNC Nursing Program Director Chattanooga State Community College Charlene McNeil, PhD, MSN, RN Executive Associate Dean of Academic and Student Affairs, President, Southern Nursing Research Society UT Health Science Center Courtney Daniel FNP-BC, APRN, MSN.Ed Belmont School of Nursing, Faculty Instructor, Belmont Health Services, Nurse Practitioner Belmont University Wendy Barnhart, RN, BSN Director of Education & Employee Health Henry County Medical Center Andrew Burnett Vice President, Workforce and Rural Health Tennessee Hospital Association Kim Palmiter, PMP Senior Director of Tennessee Center for Health Workforce Development Tennessee Hospital Association Ferrol Thomas, DNP, RN Director of Workforce Strategies Tennessee Hospital Association Joanna Mazo Communications Coordinator/Executive Assistant Tennessee Hospital Association Allison Smith Program Manager Tennessee Hospital Association Sarah Kane Community Engagement Manager Tennessee Hospital Association |
Program Training, Documentation & Instructions:
Step 1: Identify Nursing Student Placement
- Work with your facility leadership to identify a student placement.
- If you are in independent practice, please contact your local postgraduate programs to notify them of your desire to precept.
- If you need assistance finding a student, please email us at preceptorincentiveprogram@tha.com and we will help put you in contact with local academic programs.
Step 2 – 3: Program Training, Documentation, and Payment Instructions
Review the document linked below for detailed instructions on the program:
Step 4: Submission of documents & Preceptor Verification of Hours
Instructions for this process will be released by May 30, 2025. Please reach out to preceptorincentiveprogram@tha.com for any questions.
Notification of payment will be sent after the application period deadline. All applications will be reviewed for completeness of requirements. Payments will be made to preceptors who have completed all the requirements by the deadline in the order in which they were received until funding is exhausted.
The notification will include items needed to process payment, including a W-9 and confirmation of the preceptor’s mailing address and contact information.
All payments will be mailed to the address provided within 30 days of the submission deadline indicated on the THA Preceptor Incentive website.
