Description

This course is designed for experienced nurses and clinical practitioners who are undertaking a preceptor role and require an understanding of their responsibilities for supporting, supervising and facilitating the professional development of a preceptee. The course introduces the purpose of preceptorship as a structured period of transition for nursing students, graduate nurses and practising nurses moving into a new role or clinical environment. Learners consider the responsibilities of the preceptor, including teaching, instruction, supervision, role modelling, establishing clear expectations and supporting the development of professional skills, knowledge and confidence. Learners explore how to establish an effective preceptorship relationship, including identifying existing skills and development needs, agreeing goals and objectives, setting appropriate professional boundaries and establishing arrangements for feedback. The course introduces practical teaching strategies such as progressing from simple to complex activities, breaking learning into manageable stages, demonstrating tasks, encouraging questions and using clinical situations to develop critical thinking. The course also develops understanding of performance evaluation, including observing clinical practice, interactions, time management and documentation. Learners consider indicators of effective progress and behaviours that may indicate a need for additional support or intervention. Learners explore the importance of regular, timely and constructive feedback and how feedback can be used to reinforce effective practice and identify areas for development. The course also considers how to respond where a preceptee demonstrates unsatisfactory, unprofessional or unsafe practice, including discussing concerns, documenting agreed improvements, involving the appropriate Preceptorship Coordinator and monitoring subsequent progress. This eLearning course provides underpinning knowledge for undertaking a preceptor role and should be used alongside the healthcare organisation’s own preceptorship framework, competency requirements, policies and clinical governance arrangements.

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