Preceptorship programmes in the UK: A systematic literature review

This is a systematic literature review of the existing published
research related to the development of preceptorship programmes in the UK.
It has been known for some time that newly qualified nurses experience a
period of unsettling transition at the point of registration. In the UK
preceptorship has been the professional body’s recommended solution to
this for over 20 years.
Searches were made of the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied
Health Literature (CINAHL) and AMED. A systematic review was carried out
based on the following questions: What is the experience of the preceptee?
What is the experience of the preceptor? What are the ways of measuring
the outcome of the preceptorship process? What are potential ways of
measuring the outcome of other transitional periods in industries outside of
the nursing profession? What are the ways of assessing the learning
environment and learner needs? Papers were critically reviewed and
relevant data were extracted and synthesised.
A results table is presented of the 39 sources generated by the
systematic search.
Eight themes were identified from the empirical evidence base:
‘Managerial Support Framework’; ‘Recognition and Status of Role’;
‘Protected Time for Preceptor and Preceptee’; ‘Education Preparation of
Preceptors’; ‘Recruitment and Retention’; ‘Competence of Preceptees’;
‘Reflection and critical thinking in action’; and ‘Efficacy of Existing
Measurement Tools’.
There is strong evidence that the newly qualified nurse wants
and benefits from a period of structured preceptorship. This translates to
improved patient care and benefits recruitment and retention for the
employing organisations.
Recommendations for Practice: The existing literature provides an
evidence base upon which to construct a preceptorship programme and a
means by which to measure its efficacy and monitor its future development.
Recommendations for Future Research: Case study research projects
should be considered for future preceptorship programmes in order to find
the most effective methods of delivery.