The development and evaluation of a preceptorship program using a practice development approach

Objective: The aim of the research was to evaluate a Preceptorship Workshop for nurses and midwives structured using a Practice Development framework. The workshop was underpinned by an exploration of nurses and midwives attitudes, perceptions and concerns about being a preceptor.

Design: Emancipatory Practice Development guided this study.

Setting: The study was conducted in a 400-bed tertiary referral hospital in an Australian state.

Subjects: Ninety three nurses and midwives participated in the study.

Main outcome measures: Data collection was undertaken from July - December 2009. Participants' completed a self-assessment of six identified learning outcomes on a five point Likert scale pre and post workshop. Findings were further informed by qualitative data collected during and following the workshops.

Results: A paired samples t-test was used to compare pre and post workshop participant self ratings of knowledge, understanding and ability to apply preceptor skills. Statement four: 'My knowledge of the requirements of my role as a preceptor in relation to the structure of a range of nursing programs' demonstrates the highest shift in self assessment. There was a significant difference in the scores pre test (M = 3.04, SD = .751) and post test (M = 3.99, SD = .617). Statistically significant changes occurred across all six learning outcomes, confirmed by qualitative findings from participant input on the day.

Conclusion: Findings support the use of a Practice Development approach in the provision of a preceptor workshop, with clinicians indicating high acceptability that resulted in achievement of key learning outcomes.