Perceptions of preceptorship among newly graduated nurses and preceptors: A descriptive qualitative study

Abstract

Preceptorship is important to newly graduated nurses as they transit from being a student to a practitioner, but it can be stressful for the preceptors. With the current problem of nurse shortage, perceptions about preceptorship need to be explored. The objective of the study is to explore the perceptions, experiences, and needs of nursing preceptors and their preceptees on preceptorship, using a descriptive qualitative design. Audio-recorded semi-structured interviews were conducted from August 2016 to November 2016 in an acute tertiary hospital in Singapore. Ten preceptor-preceptee pairs were interviewed. Thematic analysis was used to analyze the interview transcripts. Four themes emerged from the thematic analysis: (1) social role of the preceptor, (2) letting go of preceptees, (3) communication and the use of technology, and (4) involvement of nursing managers. This study reported about contextual influence on the perceptions of preceptorship, showing both positive and negative aspects of preceptorship. Future multi-centered and longitudinal studies are needed to explore preceptors' and preceptees’ perceptions of preceptorship so that intervention programmes can be developed to support them.