<p> Nurses assume preceptor responsibilities in addition to usual nursing duties and most have minimal pedagogical preparation for the role. However, preceptors influence the competence of new staff through their instruction. The development of self-efficacy is vital to patient outcomes and safety. Using Bandura's (1997) framework of self-efficacy, ten proficient preceptors participated in an action research study that included individual interviews and focus groups related to the research question: What do proficient nurse preceptors report about the development of their preceptor self-efficacy for the purpose of recommending ongoing professional development and best practices within a hospital setting? </p><p> Preceptors identified thirteen best practices for ongoing professional development within their hospital. These practices include areas of Instruction, Preceptor Support and Professionalism. The largest number of findings were within Instruction. Preceptors are the first teachers of new hires within hospitals. Effective instruction was predicated upon the existence of role support and inculcation of professionalism within the preceptor culture. </p><p> Recommendations for practice include adoption of these best practices into ongoing professional development curricula. A monthly preceptor forum, to facilitate preceptor networking and sharing, is recommended. Future research might examine teaching strategies utilized by preceptors and the timing of these strategies when engaged in precepting. A comparative study using a self-efficacy tool for assessment could be conducted to ascertain whether the preceptor forum was building self-efficacy among the preceptors in comparison to another non-participating group of preceptors.</p>
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:PROQUEST/oai:pqdtoai.proquest.com:3669397 |
| Date | 29 January 2015 |
| Creators | Thomas, Jeanne |
| Publisher | University of Hartford |
| Source Sets | ProQuest.com |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | thesis |
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