A study of the administration and benefits of a nursing preceptorship program

Adey, Elizabeth (1986) A study of the administration and benefits of a nursing preceptorship program. Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

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Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the benefits of preceptorship program in reducing reality shock by easing the transition of inexperienced nurses into the work environment; and to examine nurse administrators’ perspectives in designing and implementing preceptorship programs for nurses. The conceptual model utilized for this study was the preceptor model as delineated by Morrow (1984). -- Data for this study were obtained by means of questionnaires completed by nursing students (preceptees), preceptors and faculty liaison members; and from structured interviews conducted with head nurses, nurse administrators and nursing education administrators during an internship spent at four well recognized schools of nursing in Canada and the United States. Additionally, informal discussions held with key personnel throughout the internship provided valuable insights and information utilized in compiling data and in drawing conclusions in this study. Information gathered dealt with the effectiveness of preceptorship programs in easing transition of inexperienced nurses into the work environment, the administrative and financial support available for preceptorship programs, the benefits of such programs to hospitals and nursing schools, the most suitable nursing units for the conduct of preceptorships, roles and responsibilities of those involved in such programs, the selection of preceptors and problems encountered in preceptorship programs. Through frequency distributions, patterns of the data were examined and displayed. -- The overall findings indicated that preceptorship programs are very successful in easing the transition of the inexperienced nurse into the work environment. Specific benefits to hospitals and nursing schools were delineated. It was further revealed that administrative support exists for preceptorship programs. However, inadequate financial support exists for such programs in Canadian hospitals. With respect to problems associated with preceptorship programs, unions have complained about non-payment of preceptors for their role. However, funds are unavailable for such remuneration and, moreover, professional nursing organizations believe that socialization of new nurses into the work environment is a professional responsibility which should not be remunerated. -- Several recommendations were made including the introduction of preceptorship programs in Newfoundland nursing schools, and that financial support for such programs be provided to hospitals and nursing schools by the provincial government.

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