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Harnessing Preceptors’ Potential: Lessons from Jennie Stuart Health

June 11, 2024
June 11, 2024

Building a strong nurse preceptor development program can feel like a daunting task. It is unlikely to happen organically, but with the right tools and resources, healthcare organizations can feel confident that they are providing an optimal environment where learning is supported and preceptors feel fully prepared and confident in their roles. In a recent HealthStream webinar, leaders discussed real-life strategies for implementing a nurse preceptor program. The webinar was moderated by HealthStream’s Daniel Pawlus and featured presenters Janelle Carr, RN, Success Manager, HealthStream and Sheri Lancaster, MSN, RN, NPD-BC, Nursing Professional Development Specialist, Jennie Stuart Health. 

Jennie Stuart Health’s Preceptor Development Goals

Lancaster explained that Jennie Stuart Health was starting from scratch in the creation of a preceptor development program. Staff were orienting and precepting students and new hires, but were doing so without the support of an evidence-based development program. “Our goal was to have a program that we could utilize for our current staff to give them the tools to be better preceptors,” said Lancaster. After working to ensure that they were able to budget for preceptor development, they then implemented HealthStream’s Preceptor Development solution.

Preceptorship Selection Process

At Jennie Stuart Health, staff apply for positions in the preceptor development program and must demonstrate that they meet the program criteria. Lancaster communicates the opportunity to participate via flyers, emails, newsletters, and by posting information in departments. The information includes a QR code that staff can use to apply for the program.

Once the application is complete, it is forwarded to Human Resources and if the applicant has met all of the criteria, the application will then be forwarded to the manager for their approval.

Customizing Your Preceptor Development Program

Preceptor development program needs can vary and Lancaster shared how she and Jennie Stuart Health had customized the program to meet their unique requirements. Lancaster appreciated that the Preceptor Development solution could be customized to include all online classes, all classroom, or a hybrid of the two. She shared that they were able to customize the application, the acceptance letter, the classroom itself, and the class agenda. The program’s Facilitator Guide helped inform their customization process.

Using the Preceptor Program’s Facilitator Guide

Creating a preceptor development program from scratch can feel overwhelming. Lancaster was able to use the included Facilitator Guide to support the development of Jennie Stuart Health’s program in a number of ways. She began by using the template for a preceptor development policy. She was also able to use the guide to assist in the development of classroom agendas, including discussion questions that helped inform the creation of classroom learning activities as Lancaster wanted to build a classroom experience that was highly interactive and discussion oriented. Lancaster found the guide useful in developing the agenda, discussion questions, vignettes and other resources that eliminated the need to create these resources herself.

The Classroom Experience and the Validation Checklist

Lancaster prefers the classroom to be set up as a circle rather than the typical rows of chairs. She includes an information packet and some Jennie Stuart Health swag, and an icebreaker exercise. Prior to the first classroom session, attendees must complete two of the modules. She establishes a due date for those modules and thanks to the reporting that is available, she is able to monitor course completions.

“The validation checklist is shared at the very beginning,” said Lancaster. Participants are able to see those skills on which they will be evaluated. Lancaster evaluates the knowledge portion for each participant and managers provide evaluations for skills and attitude. Going forward, Lancaster plans to get current preceptors to validate checklists for upcoming preceptors.

Preceptor development does not end with the initial program. Lancaster shared that participants return to the classroom after the first year. She shared that the agenda for that session is based on the feedback received from classroom evaluations. She is also in the process of creating some additional curriculum with the goal of creating ongoing engagement and learning opportunities for new preceptors.

Helpful Resources

HealthStream’s Preceptor Development program includes plentiful resources for healthcare leaders wishing to create an evidence-based program. Lancaster shared that she found a number of those resources helpful and called particular attention to the resources that helped her build policies and templates for communication. She also called out the Facilitator Guide and the included discussion questions.

Results

For Jennie Stuart Health, the benefits of having an intentional approach to preceptor development were notable. They were able to foster stronger relationships between preceptor and preceptee as a result of improved matching. They were able to improve retention rates as a result of their decision to incorporate mindfulness and self-care practices to improve well-being. Additionally, they were able to create a uniform, high-quality onboarding experience thanks to the use of preceptor competency checklists. And perhaps the most important outcome of all – 88% of preceptors reported feeling very confident in their ability to integrate the skills that they had learned into practice.

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