aed, INNOVATION ABSTRACTS i."

[ ]
“a
2G Published by the National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development

‘ay With support from the W. K. Kellogg Foundation and Sid W. Richardson Foundation

 

 

 

PRECEPTORSHIP: IT REALLY WORKS!

History and Purpose
Preceptorship! After four years this term is now a "household" word at Red Deer College. The

program—a rewarding experience for students, college instructors, and hospital staff—is a final clinical
experience where on-the-job learning is individualized through a student's relationship with a preceptor.

The preceptorship program arose to facilitate learning in the final course of the nursing program.
Preceptorship—a learning method to aid in the prevention and ease the impact of reality shock—allows
students to be exposed to the realistic view of nursing while still a student. Both nursing education and
nursing service are concerned with the disillusionment and frustrations of new graduates as they enter
nursing practice. The preceptorship concept provides a link between service and education.

Description of a Preceptor

A preceptor is a nurse who is a positive role model and a clinical expert—someone who is competent in
the clinical knowledge and skills required for practice in her area. Facilitator, teacher, observer, and
evaluator are terms used to describe a preceptor. She must be able to establish sound interpersonal
relationships, generate and examine alternatives, seek assistance from others (exhibit problem-solving skills),
give both positive and constructive feedback, and must want to teach students and facilitate their learning.

We request that the preceptors have been employed by the hospital for a minimum of one year, to ensure
that they can function as resources around hospital philosophy, policy, and procedure interpretation.

Planning,

Initially, we planned the program, set out tasks and timelines, and developed a handbook explaining the
components of the practicum course and preceptorship. We hosted a tea for all the involved agencies. We
met with head nurses, directors, and assistant directors of nursing to outline the proposed program and
obtain initial feedback. To our surprise and joy, we received immediate support and approval.

A student/preceptor handbook was also developed which included course information and the various
evaluation forms. We met with the head nurses to assist them in matching the students with the preceptors.

We met with the students to distribute the student/preceptor handbooks, to describe the program, to
request their learning objectives and asked them to meet with their preceptors prior to commencement of
their experience. The purpose of the meeting between students and preceptors was to allow them to
become acquainted and to review the learning objectives.

Workshops for preceptors were conducted to establish the functions, roles, and communication systems of
students, preceptors, and instructors; to identify potential problems and methods of resolving these
problems; and to clearly establish expectations of the evaluation system.

We attempted to predict problem areas—such as, personality differences, disparity in values, and
communication difficulties. We encouraged open communication and discussion between student and
preceptor, but agreed that intervention by a college instructor would be made to resolve any debilitating
conflicts or situations (e.g., the extended absence of the preceptor).

A skill inventory list—common procedures which the student was expected to perform competently—was
developed to help meet individual student objectives. The student and preceptor were required to review
the inventory together and then plan assignments and experiences that would provide the greatest number
of learning opportunities.

Implementation

The first preceptorship program began in May 1982. Students had developed learning objectives for the
clinical areas they had chosen. Preceptors had attended an orientation workshop and had met with
instructors to determine communication lines and times. Meetings between preceptors, students, and

 

Sustin, EDB 348, Austin, Texas 78712