PDF: Exploring Preceptorship Programmes: Implications for future designs

Aims and objectives: To review and analyse current preceptorship programmes
within NHS trusts in the North West of England. To evaluate the pedagogic rigour of
the programme and suggest recommendations to inform the future design of preceptorship
programmes.

Background: Enhancing the retention of newly qualified staff is of particular importance
given that the journey from a new registrant to a competent healthcare professional
poses a number of challenges, for both the individual staff member and
organisations.

Design: A mixed methods evaluative approach was employed, using online questionnaires
and content analysis of preceptorship documentation.

Methods: Forty‐one NHS trusts across the North West region employing newly
qualified nurses were invited to participate in the completion of an online questionnaire.
In addition, preceptorship programme documentation was requested for inclusion
in the content analysis. This study used the SQUIRE (Standards for Quality
Improvement Reporting Excellence) guidelines.

Results: The response rate for the questionnaire was 56.1% (n = 23). Eighteen trusts
(43.9%) forwarded their programme documentation. Findings highlighted the wide
variation in preceptorship programmes across the geographical footprint.