Seton Hall B.S.N. Alumna Pays It Forward as Nurse Practitioner Preceptor

Melissa Maniscalco ’02, D.N.P., F.N.P.-B.C., is an Adult-Gerontology Acute Care nurse practitioner preceptor for Seton Hall University’s College of Nursing. Maniscalco works with students in complex acute care settings. Her approach helps students build confidence, sharpen clinical judgment and develop their skills as providers.

A nurse practitioner preceptor is an experienced clinician who mentors nurse practitioner students in patient care and clinical decision-making as they transition from classroom learning to clinical practice.

“Precepting has been a great experience,” Maniscalco said. “The students have been eager to learn and grow in their profession.” She said she enjoys watching students evolve from initial hesitation to making sound clinical decisions.

Maniscalco, who works in a busy cardiothoracic intensive care unit, was motivated to become a preceptor after facing challenges securing placements during her own nurse practitioner training. “I enjoy being someone students feel safe learning from,” she said. “They can make mistakes, ask questions and grow without judgment.” She values those milestone moments when students present patients smoothly, propose appropriate plans of care and step into the provider role for the first time.

Eric Bucco, a student in Seton Hall’s M.S.N. in Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP) program, said spending two semesters with Maniscalco had a significant impact on his professional development.

“She has been an important mentor to me,” Bucco said. He added that learning alongside her during rapid responses, code blues and emergency consultations provided valuable exposure to high-acuity clinical decision-making.

“She has also helped me become more confident with pre- and post-operative management, documentation and entering orders,” he said.

An alumna of Seton Hall’s undergraduate B.S.N. program, Maniscalco remains connected to the nursing community and committed to supporting the next generation of nurse practitioners.

Moira Kendra, D.N.P., R.N., A.C.N.P.-B.C., program director of Seton Hall’s M.S.N. in AGACNP program, said, “Melissa is a dedicated preceptor. She provides a safe, rigorous learning environment where students gain confidence, refine critical thinking and learn what it means to practice as an advanced provider.”

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