Preceptorship: a model to empower nurses in rural health settings

Continuing education and staff development help nurses meet new needs and demands caused by rapid changes in society, demography, technology, politicoeconomic structure, and disease patterns. Rural nurses have a unique, generalist role within their practice but are disadvantaged in accessing professional development because of geographical and professional isolation. A preceptorship program was developed to empower individual nurses in rural health units in South Australia. This program equipped them with the knowledge, skills, and attitudes necessary to make changes in their health units. At the same time, it enabled participants to act as mentors to colleagues in collaborative partnerships designed to meet the complex health needs of their rural clients.