A preceptor is a teacher or coach who supervises and guides learners in acquiring new competencies required for safe, ethical, and quality practice. Preceptors are experienced practitioners who bridge the gap between theoretical learning and clinical practice. They provide supervision during clinical practice and facilitate the application of theory to practice for students and staff learners. Preceptors are needed for all levels of nursing education, including bachelor’s degrees, master’s degrees, post-masters certificates, and doctoral degrees.

Preceptors have various responsibilities, including setting expectations, providing effective feedback about the learners performance, and providing appropriate opportunities to meet their learning objectives. They educate learners through observation and direct instruction, and students are given immediate feedback as well as more formal assessments in the form of written evaluations. Preceptors play a vital role in solving the nationwide nursing shortage by enabling nursing schools to expand student enrollment and growing the nursing profession.

The term "preceptor" is also used in other contexts. For example, in some universities, preceptors are faculty members teaching courses in writing, music, mathematics, languages, or life sciences. In modern Freemasonry, the preceptor is the head of a lodge of instruction.