Preceptorship: the progression from student to staff nurse

Abstract

■ Preceptorship assists the development from learner to accountable staff nurse.

■ Time has to be available for preceptorship to be successful.

■ The learning objectives need to be relevant for the individual preceptee.

■ Preceptors require considerable support for their role.

■ Preceptees had difficulty adjusting to being staff nurses and experienced high levels of stress.

■ Most progress was observed after a three month period, when ability and confidence levels had increased and stress levels decreased.