Reasons and Qualities of a preceptor 2
Reasons and Qualities of a preceptor 2
Preceptors serve as both teachers and leaders in the nursing profession. Preceptors are seasoned nurses who work with new graduates in the workplace and undergraduate nurses in the school to educate and support them (Phuma-Ngaiyaye et al., 2017). Preceptors often work one-on-one with preceptees while working full-time, part-time, or volunteering, acting as a mentor. Preceptors begin taking on various new responsibilities after setting expectations and being introduced in an orientation, including incorporating a nurse into the practice or particular specialties, monitoring and providing feedback on a nurse’s performance, interacting with the graduate and responding to inquiries, and promoting time management and decision-making competences and skills. (Reasons and Qualities of a preceptor 2)
To be a good preceptor, one must have leadership skills, long-term relationship development and maintenance, communication, analysis skills, and effective role modeling. Preceptors should also demonstrate extensive knowledge, be able to explain the reasons for actions and decisions, provide feedback clearly and precisely, explain and a manage conflicting ideas, communicate clear goals and expectations, attract learners’ attention, accurately evaluate the learner’s knowledge, attitude, and skills, conduct fair and thoughtful assessments, demonstrate expert interactions with patients, and organize information (Girotto et al., 2019). It is also crucial for a preceptor to generate interest in the subject, control the learning experience, assign appropriate responsibility to the student, guide problem-solving, motivate the learner, actively engage in the learning process, and establish supportive relationships with the learner. (Reasons and Qualities of a preceptor 2)
Everyone’s path toward becoming a nurse preceptor differs. Also, people have different drivers of why they want to become preceptors. In my case, I started working in an organization ten years ago. The organization emphasizes the need for continuing education and facilitates career growth and development by offering staff opportunities to continue their education. The organization has contributed to my educational advancement by sending me to school, and it is time to give by helping precept others. I appreciate the kindness and the care for staff the organization demonstrated, and I would like to contribute to the good practice. According to Patricia Benner, nurses gain clinical practice and patient care knowledge and skills over time by combining strong educational foundations and personal experiences (Nyikuri et al., 2020). Nurses move from novice to expert through beginner, competent, and proficient stages. I can help novice nurses gain competence and proficiency to become experts by passing on the knowledge and experience I have gained in this organization by being a preceptor. I can help new nurses, graduates, and undergraduates integrate into practice and learn hands-on skills as they prepare to be future nurses and gain the necessary competencies and experience to succeed in their careers. Being a preceptor is being a teacher or educator, which is the responsibility of any experienced nurse to contribute to knowledge development by sharing their earned experience. (Reasons and Qualities of a preceptor 2)
I have what it takes to be a great preceptor and a positive influence on the students I will supervise and guide through their clinical and practicum. Through my education and practice, I have developed the skills, competencies, and attitudes necessary to succeed as a preceptor and contribute to a learner’s academic and professional development. I have excellent communication and strong interpersonal skills that will enable me to engage with learners, know and understand them and their education and professional needs, and guide them to achieve their academic and professional objectives. I am a great team player, experienced in the nursing field, and I strongly desire to help others grow and develop their careers. I am also open, conscious, and have emotional stability. I believe these qualities are integral to successful preceptors. I also seek to continue building on these skills to grow with the learners and change as the healthcare environment changes. (Reasons and Qualities of a preceptor 2)
References
Girotto, L. C., Enns, S. C., de Oliveira, M. S., Mayer, F. B., Perotta, B., Santos, I. S., & Tempski, P. (2019). Preceptors’ perception of their role as educators and professionals in a health system. BMC medical education, 19(1), 203. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12909-019-1642-7
Nyikuri, M., Kumar, P., English, M., & Jones, C. (2020). “I train and mentor, they take them”: A qualitative study of nurses’ perspectives of neonatal nursing expertise and its development in Kenyan hospitals. Nursing open, 7(3), 711–719. https://doi.org/10.1002/nop2.442
Phuma-Ngaiyaye, E., Bvumbwe, T., & Chipeta, M. C. (2017). Using preceptors to improve nursing students’ clinical learning outcomes: A Malawian students’ perspective. International journal of nursing sciences, 4(2), 164–168. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijnss.2017.03.001
