Mission Possible CD ROM: instructional tool for preceptors

Area of Science:

• Nursing Education
• Clinical Preceptorship
• Healthcare Professional Development

Background:

• Senior student preceptorship is crucial in baccalaureate nursing programs, pairing students with experienced registered nurses.
• Preceptors require enhanced guidance on effective student assessment and evaluation strategies.
• Existing literature highlights the need for improved instructional support for nurse preceptors.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effectiveness of an instructional CD-ROM, "Mission Possible," in enhancing preceptor knowledge.
• To identify challenges faced by nurse preceptors in utilizing educational resources during student supervision.

Main Methods:

• A research study was conducted to assess preceptors' perceived knowledge gain after engaging with the "Mission Possible CD ROM: Instructional Tool for Preceptors."
• Data was collected to understand preceptor experiences and identify barriers to resource utilization.

Main Results:

• Participants reported a perceived increase in their knowledge regarding student assessment and evaluation after viewing the instructional CD.
• A significant barrier identified was the lack of sufficient time for the majority of nurse preceptors to engage with the CD resource.
• The study indicated a need for further investigation into time-efficient instructional strategies for preceptors.

Conclusions:

• The "Mission Possible" CD-ROM shows potential for increasing preceptor knowledge, but time constraints pose a challenge to its widespread adoption.
• Further research is essential to develop and validate effective, time-sensitive instructional strategies for nurse preceptors.
• Optimizing educational tools for busy clinical environments is critical for supporting effective nursing education and student development.