Stakeholder focus groups to inform a technology-based strategy of preceptor support

Area of Science:

• Nursing Education
• Healthcare Professional Development
• Digital Learning Technologies

Background:

• Preceptors are crucial for student nurse practice education but often lack ongoing support.
• Preceptors experience stress and frustration with preceptee issues like lack of knowledge, poor attitude, unprofessional conduct, and communication deficits.
• Unmet expectations can diminish preceptors' commitment to their role.

Purpose of the Study:

• To address the developmental stage of podcasts designed for ongoing preceptor support.
• To create a web-based educational resource for nurse preceptors facing challenges with student practice.
• To mitigate preceptor stress by providing accessible, continuous learning tools.

Main Methods:

• Development of podcast scripts by academic and acute care nurse educators.
• Focus groups with preceptors to ensure realism in student behaviors and preceptor responses.
• Utilizing podcast technology as a digital learning resource for nursing education.

Main Results:

• Four podcasts focusing on unsafe practice issues have been scripted for filming.
• The podcasts aim to provide continual, web-based support for preceptors.
• Podcast content is informed by preceptor focus groups for practical relevance.

Conclusions:

• Podcasts offer a viable, modern solution for ongoing preceptor support in nursing.
• This technology aligns with the learning preferences of digital natives.
• The developed podcasts are intended to reinforce and clarify difficult concepts related to managing unsafe student practices.