Evaluation of preceptorship in clinical learning for an undergraduate nursing programme in North West Province

Abstract

The preceptorship model is widely used in nursing education as a clinical teaching strategy. The preceptorship model is a clinical learning strategy where an experienced and competent preceptor provides training to preceptees in order to prepare them to become professional nurses who are safe practitioners. This preceptorship model is practiced in other nursing education institutions worldwide as an effective teaching and learning strategy in the clinical setting. In South Africa, the model is implemented in most nursing education institutions, including the North West province. There is a need to evaluate its impact on the undergraduate nursing programme in the clinical learning areas. The aim of the study was to evaluate preceptorship in clinical learning for an undergraduate nursing programme in North West Province in South Africa. A quantitative, descriptive, cross sectional study was conducted, adressing the research -objectives which are: factors influencing preceptorship, level of satisfaction with precetorship and effects of preceptorship in clinical learning. The performance of preceptees in cl inical learning for the year 2012 and 2014 was compared. Total population sampling approach was used to select participants for the study and collect data. A total of 224 nurses participated in the study, comprising 38 unit managers, 9 preceptors and 177 preceptees. A structured questionnaire with close-ended and a few open-ended questions was used to collect data from respondents. Data analysis was done using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS 23) computer software. Frequency distribution was used to describe demographic data of respondents, factors, effects and level of satisfaction with preceptorship. Cross-tabulation was used to describe data of preceptees for different levels of their training. An independent t-test was performed to compare clinical performance of preceptees for the 2012 and 2014 year groups. The results indicated a general satisfaction with the use of the preceptorship model. However, the results also showed lack of preceptor preparation for the role, poor collaboration and lack of clinical supervision. The results indicated that there was dissatisfaction with feedback and amount of time allocated for clinical learning. There is a need to strengthen collaboration and partnership between the nursing education institutions and the health care services. A preceptorship training programme for preceptor preparation and re-establishment of a clinical training department to support preceptees need to be implemented as a matter of urgency.