Preceptors rock! They were with us every step of the way during supervised practice. Each rotation meant a new preceptor with a unique perspective on how to be a dietitian. We learned more than just how to assess a malnourished patient or counsel a patient with diabetes. We learned how to navigate the politics of hospitals and institutional kitchens. We networked. We connected. We collaborated. As private-practice dietitians and entrepreneurs, many of us left behind the institutional world
of dietetics with all its trappings, including the role of preceptor. But it doesn’t have to be that way. You can still give back to the profession and help mold future dietitians. This article will explore why private-practice dietitians and entrepreneurs should precept, how to precept, and the ethical tenets that encourage and intertwine with precepting.