Supporting Nurse Preceptors Through Evidence-Based Restructuring of the Preceptorship Process

Abstract

According to many respected organizations and associations, it is the responsibility of the hiring organization to transition nurses into practice properly to ensure the provision of safe and high-quality care. The nurse preceptor is vital in guiding practice and validating the competence of newly hired nurses, enabling organizations to comply with these recommendations. As such, organizations must acknowledge the importance of investing in these leaders through proper training and ongoing support to develop and maintain competent and confident preceptors. However, the current non-evidence-based preceptorship process utilized on three adult inpatient care units at a small inpatient care facility provided insufficient training, guidance, and ongoing support to preceptors. Nurse preceptors, who do not feel adequately trained and supported, are less confident in carrying out critical responsibilities. Low confidence levels have been shown to negatively impact the quality-of-care preceptors, and their preceptees provide. The purpose of this project was to restructure the nursing preceptorship process using the Tiered Skills Acquisition Model (TSAM™) to provide consistency, structure, and guidance for preceptors; thereby, bolstering preceptor confidence levels. Confidence levels were measured using the Modified C-Scale before and after online and in-person education. Preceptor confidence levels increased after receiving education on the TSAM™ process. Processes that improve preceptor confidence levels are significant for organizations, as higher confidence levels can positively impact outcomes for patients, the organization, and the nursing profession.