Perceptions of preparedness for nursing practice using a preceptorship model

Nursing graduates need to be “real world ready”, and able to meet the demands of the healthcare workforce. Research indicates that baccalaureate graduates have adequate theoretical base, but often lack competence in the clinical setting. Preceptorship programs are an effective way of developing clinical competence in the nursing student. The purpose of this study was to compare a traditional senior clinical course to a preceptorship model on students, faculty, and nurses’ perceptions of student preparedness for the nursing role. A formal preceptorship program with the support of a clinical nurse faculty member was developed to enhance the success of clinical nursing education. A quasi-experimental design with nonequivalent groups was used to determine the feasibility and effectiveness of a preceptorship model for senior nursing students comparing the students’, the faculty, and the nurses’ perceptions of the students’ preparedness for clinical practice after a traditional clinical and a preceptor clinical experience. The sample consisted of the fall 2017 senior semester cohort and the spring 2018 senior semester cohort, senior faculty who taught in those semesters, and nurses at the participating facilities. Overall, findings did not show a statistically significant difference between the traditional cohorts and the precepted cohorts; however, there is evidence of clinical significance. After implementation of the preceptorship model, there was an increase in the percent of nurses (100%), faculty (100%), and students (95%) who felt that the senior nursing students were ready for the professional role of a registered nurse.