Perceptions of preceptorship among newly graduated nurses and preceptors: A descriptive qualitative study.

Preceptorship is important to newly graduated nurses as they transit from being a student to a practitioner, but it can be stressful for the preceptors. With the current problem of nurse shortage, perceptions about preceptorship need to be explored. The objective of the study is to explore the perceptions, experiences, and needs of nursing preceptors and their preceptees on preceptorship, using a descriptive qualitative design. Audio-recorded semi-structured interviews were conducted from August 2016 to November 2016 in an acute tertiary hospital in Singapore. Ten preceptor-preceptee pairs were interviewed. Thematic analysis was used to analyze the interview transcripts. Four themes emerged from the thematic analysis: (1) social role of the preceptor, (2) letting go of preceptees, (3) communication and the use of technology, and (4) involvement of nursing managers. This study reported about contextual influence on the perceptions of preceptorship, showing both positive and negative aspects of preceptorship. Future multi-centered and longitudinal studies are needed to explore preceptors' and preceptees' perceptions of preceptorship so that intervention programmes can be developed to support them.

Perceptions, Experiences, and Needs of Nursing Preceptors and Their Preceptees on Preceptorship: An Integrative Review.

Preceptorship is a commonly used clinical teaching method for new nurses, and perceptions regarding it are varied and come from many sources. The aim of this integrative review is to explore the perceptions of preceptorship from preceptors and newly graduated nurses. Three electronic databases were searched for relevant articles and the Joanna Briggs Institute's critical appraisal tools were used to assess for suitability before inclusion in the review. Twenty articles were included eventually. A total of six focus areas were identified: (a) role of the preceptor, (b) preceptor preparation and support, (c) challenges of being a preceptor, (d) preceptorship significance for newly graduated nurses, (e) needs of newly graduated nurses, and (f) factors affecting the preceptor-preceptee relationship. The impact of preceptorship is significant and especially so on newly graduated nurses who are going through a transition as they enter the workforce. The preceptor functions to teach and additionally provide psychosocial support to the preceptee. Preceptors need to receive preceptor education to effectively carry out their role. Awareness of the preceptor's role by nursing managers can aid in optimizing preceptorship outcomes. Preceptorship helps to ease the stressful transition that new graduates experience. Preceptorship has a potential in nursing retention when utilized in nursing with newly graduated nurses. Hence, perceptions of preceptorship from preceptor-preceptee pairs of varying ethnic backgrounds, nationalities, educational qualifications, and generations can be further explored.