Nurse Preceptors Research Articles

Nurse preceptor training needs assessment: views of preceptors and new graduate nurses.

In Taiwan, regulatory bodies mandate that preceptor training programs comprise six mandatory topics used by all teaching hospitals. These programs have little empirical justification. This study explores the training needs of preceptors from the viewpoints of both preceptors and preceptees. Investigators used qualitative methods to conduct 17 focus group interviews with 63 preceptors and 24 preceptees from five hospitals in Taiwan. A constant comparative method was used to analyze the data and extract themes and subthemes from participants' experiences. Seven themes were extracted from both preceptor teaching experiences and preceptee learning experiences. Analysis of the empirical data showed that the six mandated topics do not meet the needs of preceptors. This study also documented the concept of "nurses eating their young" for the first time in Taiwan. The findings of this study may serve as a reference for redesigning preceptor training programs in Taiwan.

Regulation and accreditation requirements for preceptor use in undergraduate education.

Nurse preceptors are widely used in pre-licensure RN education to facilitate the educational process. Often, these preceptors are staff nurses employed by clinical agencies. Currently, there are no standardized guidelines for qualifications, roles and responsibilities, or best practices. Systematic website review was conducted of all Boards of Nursing and nursing accrediting bodies in the United States and Canada. Seven categories of information were identified: preceptor qualifications, faculty and nursing program role, curriculum placement, written policies, ratios, orientation, and preceptor availability. Research is needed to document issues and current practices to create a model of best practices in preceptor orientation and use, as well as faculty supervision in prelicensure nursing education. J Contin Educ Nurs. 2014;45(x):xxx-xxx.

Regulation and Accreditation Requirements for Preceptor Use in Undergraduate Education

BACKGROUND Nurse preceptors are widely used in pre-licensure RN education to facilitate the educational process. Often, these preceptors are staff nurses employed by clinical agencies. Currently, there are no standardized guidelines for qualifications, roles and responsibilities, or best practices. METHOD Systematic website review was conducted of all Boards of Nursing and nursing accrediting bodies in the United States and Canada. RESULTS Seven categories of information were identified: preceptor qualifications, faculty and nursing program role, curriculum placement, written policies, ratios, orientation, and preceptor availability. CONCLUSION Research is needed to document issues and current practices to create a model of best practices in preceptor orientation and use, as well as faculty supervision in prelicensure nursing education. J Contin Educ Nurs. 2014;45(x):xxx-xxx.

Perceptions and experiences of nurse preceptors regarding their training courses: A mixed method study

Although the benefits of preceptor training programs on the performance of nurse preceptors have been reported, research related to nurse preceptors' perceptions of and experiences with preceptor training courses is relatively limited. To explore nurse preceptors' perceptions of preceptor training courses and obtain information on their experiences in working as preceptors. A mixed method design was conducted. Nurse preceptors who currently work at one of eight hospitals in northern Taiwan were recruited to participate in this study. A questionnaire survey and focus group interviews were conducted. A training course perception scale was developed and generated based on the current nurse preceptor training programs offered in eight hospitals. Focus group interviews were conducted to obtain additional information on nurse preceptors' experiences in working as preceptors. The survey data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Interview data were transcribed and analyzed using a qualitative content analysis approach. The results from the surveys of 386 nurse preceptors revealed that most courses included in the current preceptor training programs did not fulfill the learning needs of nurse preceptors and were clinically impractical. The most necessary and clinically useful course was the communication skills course, whereas the least useful course was the adult learning theory and principles course. Three themes were identified as problems based on the three focus group interviews conducted with 36 nurse preceptors: inadequate training was received before nurses were appointed as nurse preceptors, the courses were more theoretical rather than practical, and the preceptors experienced stress from multiple sources. The results revealed that the current preceptor training courses are impractical; therefore, the content of preceptor training courses must be altered to fulfill nurse preceptors' training needs. Furthermore, problems identified through the focus group interviews reinforce the survey results.

Graduate Clinical Nurse Preceptors: Implications for Improved Intra-Professional Collaboration

Advanced practice nurses have increased in number and public acceptance. Students preparing for these roles require quality clinical education so they are prepared to assume collaborative roles in healthcare settings. Although graduate clinical preceptors have a vitally important role in the clinical education and professional socialization of advanced practice students, there is a paucity of evidence about factors that influence their role commitment. In this article, the authors review the literature related to graduate-level, clinical-preceptor experiences; describe their study of 91 graduate clinical preceptors that identified factors influencing graduate clinical preceptors’ role commitment; report and discuss their findings; as well as the limitations of this study. They conclude that the graduate clinical preceptor role needs to be more visible and better integrated into schools of nursing and healthcare organizational structures, and identify the need for intra-professional collaboration among nursing faculty, administrators, and clinicians to facilitate the recruitment, cultivation, and retention of graduate clinical preceptors

Empowering Nursing Preceptors to Mentoring Undergraduate Senior Students in Acute Care Settings

Nurse preceptors play an important role in the transition of nursing students from classroom to clinical practice not only in the United States but also internationally. However, many preceptors feel a lack of confidence in their role as mentors to nursing students rather than experienced nurses because of inadequate preparation or formal training. A study looking at the educational needs of nurse preceptors would be invaluable to academic educators because they choose strategies and develop content for a handbook to serve as a quick reference. Thus, the mentorship experience for preceptors would be enhanced by incorporating the needs and preferences of the preceptors into their training and resource materials. The purposes of this study were to identify the needs of the nurses who precept students rather than nurses who mentor other nurses and to evaluate if the current handbook was a useful reference for preceptors during a practicum in acute care settings. A multiprocedural mixed method study was used. Data were collected through a questionnaire that was adapted with the permission of the author. Descriptive statistics and a chi-square test were used to compare differences in the means. The preceptorship handbook helped preceptors mentor undergraduate senior nursing students. In addition, the currently developed preceptorship handbook was recognized as a useful reference in mentoring nursing students by 100% of the participants.

Clinical Nurse Preceptor Teaching Competencies

Clinical Nurse Preceptor Teaching Competencies

Preparing Clinical Preceptors to Support Nursing Students in Evidence-Based Practice

Staff nurse preceptors contribute importantly to student learning and to academic program outcomes; however, academic-clinical partnerships can offer focused learning opportunities for preceptors as well. This study addressed different interest levels in evidence-based practice across clinical settings by testing the effectiveness of a workshop designed to increase preceptor knowledge and endorsement of evidence-based practice. Nurse preceptor participants (N = 160) recruited from seven hospitals during 2009 to 2011 had an average age of 43.9 (SD = 11.5) and an average of 17.0 (SD = 11.2) years of nursing experience. Participants' scores on the Evidence-Based Practice Beliefs Scale improved significantly from pretest to posttest (M(pre) = 59.0, SD(pre) = 8.4, M(post) = 66.4, SD(post) = 6.8, p < .001), which was confirmed by subgroup analyses. At follow-up (1 to 25 months), 52% of the nurse preceptors reported increased use of evidence-based practice. This study indicates that a short collaborative, content-focused workshop can promote preceptor endorsement of evidence-based practice.

Education and Employment Characteristics of Nurse Preceptors

Nurse preceptors are vital linchpins, supporting the transition of new graduates to practicing registered nurses (RNs). This research clarifies similarities and differences among preceptors and nonpreceptors in an established statewide preceptor program. A secondary analysis of relicensure data from all nurses working in Vermont hospitals in two years (2005 and 2009) was undertaken. There were no statistical differences by basic degree type, highest degree, RN experience, years in the current job, job satisfaction, and intention to leave. Statistically significant differences that persisted over time included: (1) being less likely to be employed per diem; (2) work site population density; and (3) being more likely to be enrolled in nursing education programs. Given the lack of obvious identifiers, organizations would benefit from a systemized approach to preceptor identification and development. Regulators, who hold the clear social and legal mandate for patient safety, must also be an enabling force toward change.

Clinical Nurse Preceptor Teaching Competencies

An effective preceptor is a vital component of a strong learning experience for learners. Many clinical preceptors provide on-site supervision and clinical teaching but lack the skills necessary to be effective teachers. Few studies have examined the factors related to teaching competence among clinical nurse preceptors. This article is a report of a study that examined (a) the differences in teaching competence by preceptor background, (b) the influence of locus of control on self-evaluated teaching competence, (c) the association between self-directed learning and self-evaluated teaching competence, and (d) the predictors of self-evaluated teaching competence among clinical nurse preceptors. This descriptive and correlational study used a cross-sectional survey of a convenience sample of 243 clinical nurse preceptors from a medical center in northern Taiwan. Of these, 242 completed questionnaires for an effective response rate of 99.6%. The self-evaluated Teaching Competencies Scale, Internal-External Scale, and Self-Directed Learning Instrument were used to assess teaching competencies and related factors among clinical nurse preceptors. Descriptive statistics, one-way ANOVA, Mann-Whitney test, and multivariate linear regression were used to analyze data. Clinical nurse preceptors averaged 4.03 in teaching competence, indicating a moderately above average score. Higher teaching competence was associated with older age, being married, >10-year work experience, not assigned by unit manager, and good internal locus of control. Self-directed learning significantly correlated with teaching competence (r = .62). Internal locus of control and self-directed learning were significant independent predictors of teaching competence after adjusting for age, marital status, total years as a clinical nurse preceptor, and willingness to be a clinical nurse preceptor. Together, these accounted for 33.6% of teaching competence variance. Nurse managers should recognize all factors and characteristics of clinical nurse preceptors that influence teaching competence to help achieve optimal learning outcomes for nursing staff and students.

Nurse Preceptors' Views of Precepting Undergraduate Nursing Students

The nurse preceptor is an essential bridge between the classroom and the real world of human patients and clinical settings. The 26 experienced nurse preceptors who participated in this qualitative study shared stories and important perspectives on the nurse preceptor role in pre-licensure nursing education. Three consistent themes emerged: being engaged in the educational process, acknowledge my efforts, and it depends on the student. These findings have implications for schools of nursing and faculty working with undergraduate students in the clinical setting.

Enhancing the Effectiveness of Nurse Preceptors

More than half of new graduate nurses start their careers in the hospital setting. Once there, they need an orientation that will help them make the transition from student to novice professional. It is just as important for experienced nurses transferring into another unit or hospital to be inculturated into the new work environment. In this study, academic and staff development educators collaborated to create the Nurse Preceptor Academy, a workshop that prepared over 700 nurse preceptors to be more effective in the preceptor role.

The Meaning of Being a Primary Nurse Preceptor for Newly Graduated Nurses

The Meaning of Being a Primary Nurse Preceptor for Newly Graduated Nurses

Enhancing the Effectiveness of Nurse Preceptors

Enhancing the Effectiveness of Nurse Preceptors

A Student Evaluation Workshop With Rural Nursing Preceptors

Increasingly, clinicians and faculty members are motivated to provide students quality preceptorship placements in rural areas, particularly in light of the potential for recruitment of new graduates to underserved areas. Invariably, student performance evaluation is an onerous task for many preceptors and one in which they often feel ill-prepared. Rural preceptors may face additional challenges given the lesser availability of educational resources and professional development. In this article, the authors detail the development, pilot testing, and evaluation of a workshop on student evaluation that was created in collaboration with rural nurse preceptors.

A Clinical Teaching Technique for Nurse Preceptors: The Five Minute Preceptor

Although preceptorship is the leading approach to the clinical education of senior undergraduate nursing students in the westernized world, few specific nursing preceptor-focused clinical teaching techniques are reported in the literature. One promising preceptor-specific teaching strategy is the Five Step "Microskills" Model of Clinical Teaching (J.O. Neher, K.C. Gordon, B. Meyer, & N. Stevens, 1992). This technique, also known as the One Minute Preceptor (OMP; J.O. Neher & N. Stevens, 2003), has been used for more than 15 years in clinical medical education. In this article, we trace the origins of the OMP and describe an adaptation to nursing education, referred to as the Five Minute Preceptor (5MP). The 5MP steps are the following: (1) get the student to take a stand, (2) probe for supporting evidence, (3) teach general rules, (4) reinforce the positives, and (5) correct errors or misinterpretations. In addition, we explore the relationship between the 5MP and experiential learning and provide a detailed example of the 5MP's use in undergraduate clinical nursing education. Recommendations are provided for the development of a 5MP educational package and the evaluation of the 5MP's use in baccalaureate nursing programs.

Gradually Guiding Nursing Students through Their Capstone Course: Registered Nurse Preceptors Share Their Experiences

Professional precepted immersion courses (capstone) have become the standard as a means to prepare senior nursing students to enter the workforce. Preceptors have a significant role in developing the student nurse, yet exactly how to prepare preceptors for this role has been an ongoing discussion. This qualitative inquiry explored the educational needs of clinical registered nurse (RN) preceptors who work directly with senior nursing students in a professional precepted immersion (capstone) course. A descriptive qualitative design was used to examine preceptors responses to a prepared set of questions about their educational needs. Results showed that preceptors have three distinct sets of learning needs: the need to know the expectations of their role, wanting to know how best to role model for the student, and knowing how to socialize the student into the profession of nursing. Overall, preceptors communicated their desire and commitment to doing the best job possible. They also clearly stated their expectation of faculty to have a physical presence on the nursing unit that included being proactive in resolving mismatches and exposing the student to the roles of provider of care, leader and manager of care, and member of profession.

Preceptor Preparation: An Investment in the Future Generation of Nurses

Nurse preceptors fulfill a primary role in the success of preceptorship experiences during the education of student nurses in their final year of study. Evidence suggests that this success depends greatly on adequate preceptor role preparation and support. The purposes of this qualitative, descriptive study were to explore and describe preceptor role support and development within the context of a rural and northern mid-sized Canadian community. More specifically, in this study the following are described: preceptors' (a) perception of past role preparation and current role support; (b) use and evaluation of the existing print-based fourth-year Preceptor Resource Manual (PRM); (c) perception of role support facilitators and barriers; and (d) recommendations for improvements to preceptor role preparation and support. Data were collected through individual and group interviews. Through content analysis four major themes emerged: accessible resources, role complexity, partners in precepting, and role development.

Staff nurses' experiences as preceptors and mentors: an integrative review

The aim of this integrative review is to describe staff nurses' experience when functioning as a preceptor or mentor for student nurses. The preceptor's role is to guide students from the theory of nursing to the application of nursing theory, teaching clinical skills and clinical thinking. Relatively few research studies focus on the staff nurses' experience. Research studies and topical articles from Australia, Canada, Sweden, the United Kingdom and the United States were drawn from databases. The theoretical framework for the analysis was the Kahn et al. (1964) role episode model. Reservations over the efficacy of preceptor experiences have been identified. Along with intrinsic rewards, there is considerable stress and responsibility associated with precepting or mentoring. Nurse preceptors experience role ambiguity, conflict and overload when interacting with students. Research indicates what might reduce the amount of stress for the nurse preceptor and increase job satisfaction and nurse retention. Defining and formalising the preceptor role can improve the standing of this function. Adjustments can be made to decrease the stress of the role. Preceptors and mentors request recognition and support for the amount of work involved in teaching students.

The Meaning of Being a Primary Nurse Preceptor for Newly Graduated Nurses

Understanding the meaning of being the primary preceptor for newly graduated nurses during their transition into clinical practice has implications for hospital administrators, nurse leaders, and staff development nurses. This qualitative study explores the meaning of this experience through interviews with six preceptors. Findings suggest that nursing leaders need to clarify other roles that preceptors are expected to fill while precepting, implement a systematic approach to match preceptors with preceptees, and provide support for development of the preceptor role and daily preceptor practice.