Preceptors' experiences of peer learning in an intensive care unit

In Sweden, there is a lack of nurses with competence in intensive and critical care as well as experienced critical care nurses with a formal education in preceptorship. Using the peer learning model could be one way to assure the quality of critical care practice placements for post-graduate nursing students as this model requires only one preceptor for every two students. This study's aim was to examine the experience of preceptors regarding peer learning at a university hospital intensive care unit. The study followed a qualitative descriptive design. The participants were nine preceptors with experience working as critical care nurses ranging from 3 to 24 years. Each preceptor was interviewed individually using a semi-structured interview guide. The data were subjected to conventional inductive content analysis. The analysis reveals three categories: collaboration and communication; responsibility; and psychosocial environment. Some preceptors felt responsible for the delivery of adequate clinical practice despite students having difficulties in communicating and collaborating with each other or being at different experience levels. While preceptors and students need more preparation and knowledge about peer learning it can, nevertheless, contribute to the development of collaboration and communication skills within the intensive care setting.