Staff Nurse Preceptorship: An Experiment For Graduate Nurse Orientation

Abstract

To improve orientation for graduate nurses, a staff nurse preceptorship program was initiated. Staff nurses from all floors were invited to participate in the project and the enthusiasm was outstanding. Two months before the graduate nurses were to begin, the "preceptor committee" began meeting to discuss the new project concept, ideas, and needs of the new graduates. One month before beginning, the new graduates met their preceptors and the preceptorship project was explained to them. The project was a tremendous success. The preceptors went "up on shift" with their graduates, supervised them with new procedures, and served as their resource people. Not only did the new graduates respond 100% in favor of the project, but also the preceptors. A preceptorship program can help to make the new graduate more comfortable in her new role and can increase the staff's participation in role socialization.