Teaching the teachers: creating an effective critical care preceptor program

Area of Science:

• Nursing Education
• Critical Care Nursing
• Professional Development

Background:

• Staff nurse preceptors are essential for effective critical care orientation.
• The success of orientation and orientee satisfaction are heavily reliant on preceptors.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effectiveness of a critical care preceptor workshop.
• To enhance the critical care orientation program through improved preceptor support.

Main Methods:

• A workshop was developed for critical care nurse preceptors.
• The workshop included a review of the orientation program and educational principles.
• The application of these principles in critical care settings was emphasized.

Main Results:

• The workshop was found to be an effective method for assisting preceptors.
• The orientation program was enhanced as a result of the workshop.
• Preceptor support led to improved orientation experiences.

Conclusions:

• Critical care preceptor workshops are valuable for professional development.
• Investing in preceptor education improves the quality of critical care orientation.
• Enhanced preceptor skills contribute to higher orientee satisfaction and program success.