ICU Nurse Named Outstanding Preceptor

The Oregon Center for Nursing has named Stephanie Vail, RN, an ICU nurse at Adventist Health Portland, as one of its 2022 Oregon Outstanding Nurse Preceptors.

The chosen nurse preceptors were nominated by nursing leaders from Oregon health care facilities. In addition to being honored at a virtual OCN event and by their organizations, each received a cash award.

“I am truly humbled and grateful for being recognized as an outstanding preceptor,” Vail says. “Being a preceptor is not always easy, but I enjoy working with new grads or new hires. I genuinely love helping new nurses start their career and be a support to help each nurse be successful.”

Preceptors share their knowledge as experienced nurses to help onboard new nurses. They may support student learning and often help train newly graduated nurses.

"Nurse preceptors are serving a more critical need than ever before. As we face many new challenges in health care, one of the biggest is ensuring that our new nurses are well-supported and ready to adapt to an ever-changing work environment,” says Jeffrey Simafranca, RN, Adventist Health Portland ICU manager. “We are so grateful for all of our nurse preceptors who help to bridge this gap and are happy to see Stephanie honored for her dedication to supporting other nurses."

This is the second year OCN has named recipients of the Oregon Outstanding Nurse Preceptors Award.