CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK: The conceptual framework of the study includes 19 attributes of preceptors as independent variables, and preceptor role performance as the dependent variable. The 19 attributes were selected based on a literature review of preceptor role.

METHODS: To collect the data, 420 hospitals randomly sampled in Japan were asked by mail whether they could participate to the study. One hundred and eighty eight hospitals agreed to participate, and instrument packets were distributed to 2706 preceptors. Each preceptor was asked to complete two instruments. The first was the Preceptors' Attributes Questionnaire (PAQ) for examining the 19 attributes of preceptors. The content validity of PAQ was validated by a pilot study and a panel of experts. The second was the Self-Evaluation Scale of Preceptor Role Performance (SPR), developed to measure preceptor role performance. It has well established reliability and validity (Yoshitomi et al, 2007). The date were analyzed statistically.

FINDINGS & IMPLICATIONS: One thousand and five hundreds eighty two (58.5%) preceptors responded, and 1422 valid data were analyzed. The results showed that 12 of the 19 attributes significantly related with preceptor role performance (p<.05). The 12 attributes were "given training in preceptorship", "having an adviser", "self-evaluated clinical competence", "having role model as preceptor", "type of program of preceptor's basic nursing education", "having a supporter", "self-evaluated precepting competence", "identifying the preceptors' role", "precepting goal for new graduate nurses", "feeling of achievement as preceptor", "feeling of career development", "feeling of satisfaction with precepting behavior". To specify the important factors, which relate with preceptor role performance, the relationships among the 12 attributes should be examined in a further study. This results can be used to plan the preceptor training program.