Does Preceptor Training Improve New Graduate Performance?

The new graduate nurse faces stress and many challenges as they acclimate to the roll of a nurse during their first year of clinical practice.  Health care organizations and academic institutions have an important role in training competent and prepared novice entry to practice nurses. Communication at the academic institution and health care organization level is crucial to ensure that all clinical expectations are understood for novice entry to practice nurses. The purpose of this study is to examine the new graduate nurses’ perception of competence in comparison to the nurse leadership’s perception (nurse managers & preceptors) of preparedness. There are two question of focus. Will there be a significant difference between the perceptions of new grad nurses and nursing leadership? Does preceptor training improve new graduate performance? Web-based questionnaires will be utilized to collect data.  As part of the statistical data, a population size of minimum 150 participants (75 new grad nurses and 75 nursing managers along with preceptors) will be collected by March 15, 2015.  Data analysis will incorporate recommendations for healthcare organizations and academic institutions.  The proposed outcomes will include recommendations on strategies for preceptor role modeling and training, as well as preparation for nursing students in clinical experiences for entry into practice at the nursing program level. The results of this study will clarify the expectations and actual competencies of the new graduate nurse (as defined by the nurse managers and preceptors) to ensure their success in beginning clinical practice.