The challenge: developing a preceptorship program in the midst of organizational change

The implementation of educational programs during ongoing organizational change is a challenge. Our hospital nursing education department was successful in developing a department-wide preceptorship program during significant institutional change. This article outlines an analysis of the process of implementing such a program from the perspective of the unfreezing, moving, and refreezing components of change theory. An examination of the driving and restraining forces before and after the initiation of the program provides rationale for the success of the program. Factors that contributed to achievement of our goals include effective communication, senior administrative support, and education. From this analysis one could conclude that it is possible to initiate major educational initiatives during concurrent organizational change.