may 5 CANPD

1. Precepting: A Whole New World
Barbara Keating, MS, RN-BC and Casey O. Benedetto, MSN, RN, CPN
Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago | 225 East Chicago Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611
Teaching Strategies
Needs Assessment
A needs assessment was completed by 498 nurses. Questions on the
role of the preceptor, type of precepting, level of precepting experience
and precepting challenges were asked.
The needs assessment showed that over half of the nurses that
responded had never attended a preceptor class.
Nurses stated the most difficult aspects of precepting were:
• Not knowing what the orientee has done with another preceptor
• Letting the orientee assume responsibility for skills and patient
assignments
• Knowing what to do when an orientee is not progressing
Preceptor Workshop and Online Curriculum
The centralized Preceptor Workshop introduces nurses to their role as a
preceptor using a blended learning approach. Nurses complete online
preceptor modules on:
• Roles and responsibilities of a preceptor
• Adult learning principles
• Giving and receiving feedback
The online modules are the foundation for the content in the four hour
workshop. Nurses receive contact hours for both the online and face-to-
face components of the workshop.
Department-Based Preceptor Classes
Department-based preceptor classes are held to support distinct needs
and build on the content from the Preceptor Workshop.
Department-based classes focus on:
• Expectations of the preceptor role
• Consistency in preceptor practice
• Teaching specific to the department’s
patient population
Online Preceptor Articles
The online articles are an added element to the Preceptor Program.
These articles are based on what the preceptors identified on the needs
assessment as the most difficult aspects of precepting.
Preceptor Simulations
The preceptor simulations were added to the Preceptor Program to
provide additional opportunities for ongoing preceptor education and to
address the communication and feedback challenges identified in the
needs assessment.
The preceptor program at Lurie Children’s was transitioned from nurses
receiving premium pay to a clinical ladder model. The ADVANCE
(Advancement Development and Validation of Achievement in Nursing
Clinical Excellence) Program seeks to sustain the clinical practice and
professional growth of clinical nurses in direct patient care. The program
acknowledges and rewards nurses who choose to improve their
professional practice and clinical skills. With this transition came the
opportunity to improve preceptor education and to further develop nurse
preceptors in their role.
The preceptor program contributes to the development of preceptors from
novice to expert, based on Benner’s framework. Teaching strategies
included the continuation of a centralized preceptor workshop which
includes an online preceptor curriculum. Newly implemented teaching
strategies include department-based preceptor classes, online preceptor
articles and preceptor simulations. In addition, a Preceptor Committee has
been newly formed as part of the Clinical Governance structure.
Background Preceptor Committee
Each preceptor learning activity was evaluated using one of the following
methods:
• Completion of online evaluations
• Post-test assessments
• Debriefings
Attendance at the Preceptor Workshop became mandatory in order to
complete the preceptor menu item in the ADVANCE Program after Winter
2014. The program was measured for success by tracking the number of
nurses who attended the Preceptor Workshop and who promoted in the
ADVANCE Program using the preceptor menu item.
Since implementing this change, the number of participants in both the
Preceptor Workshop and those using the preceptor menu item for promotion
have significantly increased.
Summary
Transitioning preceptor education into the ADVANCE Program provided
the opportunity to examine the current state of precepting. This resulted
in enhanced programming to support preceptors, increased participation
in all elements of preceptor education and has contributed to the
development of highly capable preceptors.
The Preceptor Committee was formed to provide a network of support for
preceptors and to drive the standards of precepting practice. This
committee is part of the Clinical Governance structure and will disseminate
current evidence, tools and trends in precepting at the organizational and
departmental levels.
Outcomes
2
3
9
0
2
4
6
8
10
Winter 2014 Summer 2014 Winter 2015
ADVANCE Promotional Files
& Annual Bonus
8
4
9 109
14
11
17
15
25
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
January April July October
Preceptor Workshop Attendance
2013
2014
2015