Preceptor leadership style and the nursing practicum

Area of Science:

• Nursing Education
• Leadership Studies

Background:

• Preceptors are crucial for nursing students' clinical experience and socialization.
• Traditional preceptorship studies focus on student, employer, and preceptor experiences.
• Limited literature exists on effective preceptor-student matching methods.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the impact of preceptor leadership styles on nursing student learning.
• To advocate for incorporating leadership style assessment in preceptor selection.
• To provide a framework for optimizing the preceptorship experience.

Main Methods:

• Literature review on preceptorships and leadership theories.
• Application of Hersey and Blanchard's Situational Leadership model.
• Conceptual examination of leadership traits in preceptor-student matching.

Main Results:

• Preceptor leadership characteristics significantly influence student knowledge acquisition and application.
• Clinical skills alone are insufficient criteria for selecting effective preceptors.
• Leadership style assessment can enhance the quality of clinical education.

Conclusions:

• Nursing faculty should evaluate preceptor leadership styles for optimal student matching.
• Situational leadership offers a practical model for assessing preceptor leadership traits.
• Considering leadership enhances the benefits of preceptorship for students, preceptors, and faculty.