Through the eyes of the preceptor

This study highlights some of the issues for preceptors and assists in clarifying the role of preceptors, students and nurse educators. Through a survey of 295 nursing preceptors in the province of Alberta, it was found that most preceptors rated their orientation to their role as adequate to very adequate, the greatest advantage was re-examining their knowledge and the most common problem was having a student with poor nursing skills. Only 30 percent used nursing frameworks. The implications are: nursing educators need to take more responsibility in the areas of preceptor and student orientation, assess the student, preceptor and agency prior to placement, and understand that the preceptor may not be using a nursing framework. Nurses working as preceptors do have the advantage of knowledge since working with students can be a form of continuing education. This study highlights some of the issues for preceptors and assists in clarifying the role responsibilities of preceptors, students and nurse educators.