THE GOAL OF THIS PROGRAM is to provide nurses with knowledge and insight into the preceptor role. After studying the information presented here, you will be able to:


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Discuss how preceptors improve retention and recruitment By Sheila J. Leis, MS, RN-BC, and Cynthia Saver, MS, RN


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An experienced medical/surgical nurse preceptor realizes that the new graduate nurse has missed several subtle but critical criteria that indicate a patient is experiencing a rapidly dete- riorating change in condition. Te preceptor steps in quickly, outlining the clinical issues that the new graduate has missed as she calls the physician and the rapid response team. Lat- er, the preceptor and the new graduate debrief and review the events that just occurred, with the preceptor asking the graduate nurse questions to facilitate learning and reviewing the progression of the situation to identify strategic condition changes that the new graduate did not see as critical. At the close of the day, the new graduate tells the preceptor, “I don’t think I will ever forget this day. Tank you.”


practice standards when providing patient care.1 N


urse preceptors are experienced nurses who fulfill their job responsibilities according to established policies and procedures, using established, evidence-based nursing Te preceptor’s


role is to help the less experienced nurse identify learning needs and set goals for improvement while providing feedback on the nurse’s progress.1


Preceptors are role models for professionalism


and best practices in the clinical setting, socializing nurses into the work group, providing education and orientation. Nursing preceptors are in demand for a profession that accord-


ing to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics is expected to grow from 2.75 million RN positions in 2014 to 3.19 million RN positions in 2024. Te bureau also projects a need to replace 525,000 RNs by 2022, bringing the total number of job openings to 965,000 by that year.2


Nursing also has significant numbers of new graduates each


year. Te National Council of State Boards of Nursing reported that nearly 230,000 took the NCLEX exam in 2015, with a passage rate of nearly 70%.3 All new graduate nurses have common needs during the tran-


sition from their graduation into practice in their first nursing job. Tese needs include assessing knowledge, developing time management skills, and socialization to the work group. An ex- tended precepted orientation helps meet these needs, which in turn requires more preceptors. Besides working with new graduates, preceptors help nurses


who change positions, whether they move within an organization when switching specialties or enter a new facility. Preceptors are also needed for nursing students receiving their clinical education in a healthcare facility. Academic hospitals have a particularly high need for preceptors because they often serve large numbers of nursing students from the undergraduate level to the advanced practice level.


Te role of preceptor was formalized more than 30 years ago


when advances in technology and treatment made nursing care more complex. With the development of specialty units, a different type of orientation became necessary to ensure that newly hired nurses could safely manage patient care in complex environments. Preceptorship programs are now found in many healthcare fa- cilities across the country. Many facilities, organizations, and institutions of higher learning have contributed to a consensus on the competencies that preceptors need. Besides being clinically competent, a successful preceptor needs to be a coach, advocate, cheerleader, and role model. Preceptors need to be respectful when talking with others and display a professional demeanor. Tey also need to possess certain skills.


PRECEPTOR COMPETENCIES4,5


• Use of evidence-based professional nursing practice • (ƬHFWLYH FRPPXQLFDWLRQ DQG WHDFKLQJ VNLOOV •


Ability to evaluate and provide constructive criticism and praise


• Ability to minimize reality shock • )DFLOLWDWLRQ RI FRQưLFW UHVROXWLRQ • Assessment of learning needs • Assistance in setting daily goals and plans • Encouragement and motivation skills


• Knowledge of agency standards, professional issues, and healthcare policy


• Time management and critical thinking skills to ascer- tain patient priorities


• Reporting and documentation of patient care •


Ability to transition patient care from preceptor to preceptee safely over time


Te preceptor role is a unique, intense relationship between an


expert nurse and a novice nurse. Even though the relationship may last for only a short time, it can have significant benefits for the preceptee. Nurses describe the best preceptors as patient, kind, clinically astute, excellent communicators, and extraordinary role models who possess the qualities one aspires to as a developing professional. Nurse preceptors are called on to nurture and cul- tivate the development of another over time, a challenge in the fast-paced healthcare environment.6 Given national patient safety expectations, regulatory agencies


require preceptors to add to their roles and responsibilities ele- ments such as surveillance and protection of the patient during


2017 • Visit us at NURSE.com 31


Discuss why preceptors are critical to the professional future of nursing


Identify the essential elements and strategies to strengthen the preceptor role


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