A Review of Preceptorship in Sustaining Nursing Training-Practice Congruence

Abstract

Preceptorship is a structured period during which a newly qualified practitioners is supported by an experienced professional to gain confidence and competence and transition from students to autonomous professionals. The nursing training-practice congruence is the harmony between theory from school and real practice. Preceptorship has been prescribed for maintaining this congruence since there frequently exist a nursing theory and practice discordance which jeopardizes patient care and outcomes. This review is relevant in that the concept, principles and the roles of the different actors of preceptorship have been explored. The objectives of this review were: to explore the concept of preceptorship, to outline the principles of preceptorship, to describe the roles of the actors of preceptorship, and to present the effectiveness of preceptorship in sustaining the nursing training-practice congruence. Sources of information included websites, journals, organizations, and text books. It was observed that preceptorship can take the forms of one-to-one, one-to-many, team and group approaches. The principles of preceptorship were, organizational culture, quality, preceptee empowerment, preparing preceptors, and preceptorship program. The roles of the preceptee included readiness to learn, active participation, engagement, accountability, being receptive to feedback, and attending meetings. The roles of the preceptor included induction, instructing, modelling, coaching, facilitating, supervision, and organizing meetings. The healthcare manager oversees the preceptorship program. Preceptorship is effective in increasing confidence, strengthening critical thinking, developing psychomotor, clinical and leadership skills, timely feedback, and enhancing communication and socialization. This review is important in that health care managers and employer could use the information to create preceptorship programs in the organizations.