Baccalaureate nursing student preceptorship programs and the development of clinical competence

Clinical competence is germane to professional nursing practice. One goal of nursing student preceptorship programs is to develop the student's level of clinical competence beyond that of traditional baccalaureate education. This study investigated the effect of nursing student preceptorship programs on the development of clinical competence among 72 senior BSN students. Results indicated that students who participated in summer preceptorship programs gained greater levels of clinical competence, than did students who worked as nursing assistants in noninstructional clinical settings. Both groups perceived their summer work experiences as valuable in helping them to develop skills in problem solving, application of theory to practice, and psychomotor skill performance. They also reported an increased level of self-confidence in a nursing role. Study findings provide baseline data for decision making for nursing faculty and administrators.