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Evaluation of a structured preceptorship programme

02 November 2019

Professional

02 November 2019

Volume 24 · Issue 11

ISSN (print): 1462-4753

ISSN (online): 2052-2215

Abstract

Preceptorship is a period in which newly qualified staff nurses receive support from an experienced nurse to smooth their transition into the service. District nurses (DNs) from the authors’ trust informally expressed the need for a better transition between the completion of district nursing education and entry into the workforce. Hence, a structured preceptorship programme was developed and delivered. This article describes this service initiative and its evaluation by preceptors (n=14) and preceptees (newly qualified DNs; n=13). Both groups valued having a structured preceptorship programme. Preceptees agreed that having a named preceptor was very important, and preceptors felt that the role which they played was rewarding. Both groups felt that the role of the DN was a specialist role and that the preceptorship programme helped to support newly qualified staff make the transition into qualified DNs, clinical team leaders and, ultimately, caseload holders. A large-scale study of DN practice is required to develop a national consensus on the structure and content of preceptorship programmes for district nursing.

Preceptorship refers to the period in which newly qualified staff nurses receive support from a qualified and more experienced nurse to smooth their transition into the service (Higgins et al, 2010). A poor transition from student nurse to newly qualified nurse may result in nurses leaving the profession (Park and Jones, 2010) or leaving their job within the first 12 months (Beecroft et al, 2001), and this problem has been a global concern within the profession (Dearmun, 2000; Gerrish, 2000; Butler and Hardin-Pierce, 2005). Duchscher (2009) found that nurses experienced anxiety, insecurity, inadequacy and instability when, after studying for several years, they find that the professional reality is different from what they expected or had been described.

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Preceptorship

Role transition

Newly qualified district nurse

Named preceptor

Case holders