Building on strengths through preceptorships

Area of Science:

• Nursing Education
• Professional Development in Nursing
• Higher Education for Nurses

Background:

• Registered nurses (RNs) pursuing further education have distinct learning requirements compared to basic nursing students.
• Existing literature inadequately addresses the application and effectiveness of preceptorships for post-RN degree students.
• Understanding the specific needs of post-RN learners is crucial for effective educational program design.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the utility and experiences of preceptorships within a post-RN degree nursing program.
• To describe the implementation of a preceptorship model tailored for post-RN students.
• To analyze the outcomes of this preceptorship model from multiple stakeholder perspectives.

Main Methods:

• A qualitative descriptive approach was used to gather data.
• The study focused on a single post-RN degree nursing program in Western Canada.
• Data were collected from students, faculty, and preceptors involved in the program.

Main Results:

• The preceptorship process was adapted to meet the advanced learning needs of post-RN students.
• Outcomes varied across student, faculty, and preceptor viewpoints, highlighting both benefits and challenges.
• The study identified specific areas where preceptorships were particularly valuable for experienced nurses.

Conclusions:

• Preceptorships can be a valuable educational strategy for post-RN degree programs when appropriately designed.
• Addressing the unique learning needs of RNs in advanced programs requires tailored support systems like preceptorships.
• Further research is recommended to optimize preceptorship models for diverse post-basic nursing education contexts.