Management Project; Preceptor Program

llg, PhD, RN · Feb 17, 2009

There are lots of books and journal articles that describe preceptor programs ... the education that preceptors need ....etc. I suggest that you start by collecting some of those resources. Do a good lit search to get articles. Buy a couple of books on the topic -- or borrow them from a good health sciences library. It will probably cost you some money, but it will be worth it. A lot of people have published on the topic.

What are your qualifications to design and run an educational program? Do you know how to find journal articles, books, etc.? Do you know how to teach a class? evaluate learning? etc. If this is all brand new to you, you should try to hook up with someone in staff development to help you. Who usually does the staff development where you work? Why did your boss pick you for this project?

Mr Ian · Feb 17, 2009

First - don't panic. All you're doing is putting down on paper what you do at your facility and how to teach a new nurse to do the same thing to a reasonable standard.

I don't know if there are specific competencies or objectives that need to be addressed - ie compliance with any state or national standards but certainly you'll have local and organisational procedures and practices.

Also, if it's for new hires - it depends on if the organisation has any other induction or orientation programs. I'll add those in here in case they haven't.

These are some of my top-of-my-head ideas for precepting....

The main body of your project should be to identify the main components of the job -

- identify the patient group you work with and common clinical presentations

- list the common interventions and treatments - these are your base competencies (admission & discharge included)

- provide theoretical grounding in the main aspects of the role (evidence base)

- practice sessions for the clinical procedures

- use other disciplines to teach around their roles

Then identify teaching methods -

- break the process down into smaller time frames so you can fit things in; demonstrate some progression of competence

- competent instructors (someone is always keen to show them how they do stuff or share their great knowledge!)

- identify opportunities for learning - regular events or frequent interventions are easy picking

- decide if off-line learning is an option; ie taking the new hires off the floor for formal teaching

- sometimes you can get guest speakers in but these cost so administration are often against this if they can source in-house

Give good induction to the organisation -

- Orientation at an early stage - a who's who and what's what of the company/orgnisation

- Cover any mandatory training in the first 6 weeks

- Provide info on HR; grievance procedure; unions; staff support/EAS

Add in some 'personal touches' to make their experience enjoyable but objective -

- get decent preceptors and train them up well - specify their focus is on the good experience of the preceptee (that's how to retain new staff)

- give the new hires some breathing space; if you can give them some supernumerary time early on they can ease into the role

- roster them well and with competent supervisors; 60-80% of their time should be with their preceptors for the first few months and the preceptor should 'lead' them into the advanced - beginner role

- provide some opportunities to taste 'the good life' - a couple of study courses away from work always help - can be costly but can increase experience satisfaction and increase retention (hold them in the latter ¾ of their time tho!)

As for your project presentation/in-service -

It doesn't sound like you need to 'sell' the idea as your boss has asked you get it ready.

However, you can still make a business case type presentation - ie show them how your preceptorship will lead to value for money, service quality improvement and better team functioning.

Use stats on 'retention' and talk of costs of badly training a new hire who then goes somewhere else;

Talk about "magnet status" hospitals.

Just a few ideas - hope they help