Instructor facilitation of the preceptorship relationship in nursing education

In recognition of the growing popularity of preceptorships as a means of teaching in nursing, a research study was conducted to examine the development of the preceptor relationship. Three questions were addressed: what are the specific elements essential to the development of the preceptorship relationship?; what is the role of the instructor in facilitating the developing preceptorship relationship?; and what are the variables affecting the developing preceptorship relationship? Based on naturalistic observations and direct feedback from 12 preceptor RNs, 12 students, and 2 instructors in acute care hospitals, seven commonly occurring themes were identified as important aspects of the developing relationship.