INVESTIGATIVE METHOD

Investigative Method

Abstract

This research is about preceptorship in nursing. There is considerable emphasis placed on health care organisations to support newly appointed graduate nurses, and preceptorship is a recommended model. Despite this emphasis, little is known about how preceptorship partnerships work in practice. The primary focus of this exploratory descriptive qualitative study was to explore the perspectives that preceptors and preceptees, who had worked in partnership, had about how they established and sustained their respective roles. Three sets of registered nurses who had recently completed a preceptorship experience were interviewed about their partnership. Content and thematic analysis of this descriptive data revealed four main themes. The preceptorship relationship grows out of respect for each another and develops as a result of honest and open communication. Preceptees who have an initial positive experience into their new work area settle quickly and efficiently into their new role. Preceptees appreciate preceptors who are welcoming, supportive and willing to undertake the role, while preceptors are happy to undertake the role if the graduate displays an interest in learning and are willing to be guided. The preceptee learns what it means to be a registered nurse in the particular working context, while the preceptor learns how to support learning processes and evidence-based practices. Further exploration and investigation of these themes and of the relationships that evolve during preceptorship partnerships is needed. By understanding these findings, organisations can prepare both the preceptor and preceptee as they begin to undertake their role to ensure future partnerships will be successful.

Table of Content

Part 14

Introduction4

Groups who will benefit4

Literature Review5

Research Questions7

Literature Search8

Preceptorship9

Preceptorship Framework10

The Preceptor11

Orientation12

Methodology12

The Research Approach13

Participants13

Data Collection14

Data Analysis15

Validity Criteria16

Ethical Consideration17

Summary18

Discussion and Analysis19

Relationships19

Learning20

Conclusion21

Part 223

Project Reflective Summary23

The Pertinence of the Research25

Research Design26

Research Timeline28

References29

Investigative Method

Part 1

Introduction

This research explores how the preceptor and preceptee establish their partnership and progress their working relationship during the clinical orientation period. Internationally, preceptorship is commonly used within health care organisations as a model of support for recently graduated registered nurses. Preceptorship assists in the orientation of graduate nurses to their new clinical area and organisation. The preceptorship model is credited with supporting health care organisational goals in the recruitment and retention of nursing staff. While studies into preceptorship have been undertaken in relation to these factors, little is known about the actual experience of preceptors and preceptees working together and how they forge a learning partnership.

Groups who will benefit

The findings will benefit not only preceptors and preceptees, but also the health care organisation that they are employed in. The learning generated will show how successful partnerships are developed and sustained. The results will also benefit those who are responsible for developing the preceptorship model whether through the creation of training programmes, or through further research into the subject.

Those who are involved in studying relationships and partnerships in general, will also be interested in the findings. Although the study is nursing focused, the results reflect the thoughts and feelings of both recently trained and experienced staff being introduced to the work environment and experienced staffs that have the responsibility of ...