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Originally Posted by Ak Mom  Ok, this question is going to reflect how I am really am in the beginning stages of embarking on this journey, but...
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We all start somewhere
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| I had assumed that I am paying NCM (or whatever school) for the coursework, assignments, tests, whatever. |
You are paying NCM for the modules of coursework (and some resources), practice tests, administrative functions ranging from verifying your application, your preceptor's credentials and qualifications to teach you, evaluating and approving (or not) each course syllabus per trimester, logging your grades, providing academic counseling, being the MEAC and NARM liaisons, to providing skills verification and test readiness to NARM and providing your state with official transcripts to verify your grad status for licensing.
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| And then my apprenticeship would be hands on learning, just gaining experience, being a helper, and that my preceptor would be my guide and available for questions. But reading the last post, I am beginning to wonder how much do preceptors really do? What is their time commitment-do they "grade" assignments? Are they very involved in the coursework? |
The College is going to provide you with a set of study modules to cover the MANA Core Competencies but it is up to you and your preceptor to design how you will learn the material and demonstrate competency. This might be done through using the modules as "home work" and writing papers, presenting oral reports, a project, taking quizzes, tests, etc. as assigned and composed by the preceptor. This is school and the preceptor should consider herself the course instructor and be ready to teach just as any other college instructor would when you show up for biology 101.
The preceptor's responsibility is also to provide you with hands-on learning, experience, be available to answer your questions, and to evaluate your progress by assigning your grades per subject and submitting them to the College for your transcript. You are expected to have one-on-one time scheduled weekly if you are not already seeing your preceptor in a "clinical" setting regularly.
Some students have just one preceptor who does it all. Some have preceptors who oversee the academic portion and preceptors who oversee the clinic portion. It's up to you to find the preceptor(s) who will best fit your needs and one who is seriously committed to helping you reach your goal.
Think of NCM as your community college: You pay the office fees to go to the school, then you sign up for classes with the faculty teachers. The office doesn't get involved in the classroom and the teachers don't get involved in administration but they work together to oversee your education. Many people think that a MEAC school is just the academic portion but it's not, it's both. You don't sign up for a MEAC school and then go somewhere else to find the classroom and teachers.
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| What do you mean by the "hazing" and "scut work"? |
Being required to hang around the practice for an undefined amount of time, emptying trash/cleaning the office, filing papers, etc. I understand as a "volunteer" those might be good ways of getting to know a practice and getting an idea if you will fit there but it's also free service to the practice without a reciprocal commitment. IMHO if you are committed to your education and have paid me a boatload of money to oversee it we will bypass the part where you bask in my glow while seated at my feet
I am more interested in your education than I am perpetuating the dues-paying tradition of apprenticeship training.
