Precepting new grads

[Leesha]

Has anyone ever been told that evidence based practice suggests that new grads do better when precepted by new nurses? And by a new nurse I mean nurses that have been in practice less than one year.

Any feedback would be appreciated.

Leesha 😷

[llg, PhD, RN]

Lots of people have lots of differing opinions on that. However, I have never seen solid evidence on the topic.

I doubt that nurses with less than 1 year of experience have all of the skills necessary to be an ideal preceptor. But on the other hand, it would probably be a good thing for the new grad orientee to establish some relationships with new nurses just 1 or 2 steps ahead of them in their career development. So in the end, I believe that it would be a good idea to have the new grad work with the new nurse occasionally -- but the new nurse should not be the new grad's primary preceptor, responsible for every aspect of the orientation. But note: that is just my opinion. I am experience with providing orientations and certified in Nursing Professional Development ... making my opinion and "expert opinion,"... but it is just my opinion, not based on research.