Volume 02 - Issue 02 www.mcstrategies.com   |   866-416-6697

QUALIFIED PRECPTORS MAKE A DIFFERENCE (continued)
They also know that consumers—who are increasingly better informed about health-related decisions—view quality care as a major factor when deciding where to seek hospital care.

How can your healthcare organization boost its recruitment and retention? Research has shown that the key to improving recruitment—and especially retention—is the quality of an organization’s orientation program. A well-prepared preceptor is key to ensuring the quality of the unit-based orientation. Whether the orientee is a recent graduate or an experienced nurse who is new to the unit, an effective preceptor makes the difference in the orientee’s success in the new position.

Preceptor Development Is Vital
Experts agree that developing qualified preceptors is vital to the success of today’s healthcare organizations. “Skilled preceptors help hospitals reduce nursing turnover by providing interested nurses with the education, tools, and resources needed,” notes Eileen Robinson, Director, Nursing Continuing Education at Elsevier/MC Strategies. “Using the organization’s orientation framework, preceptors formulate orientation goals, create a unique plan, implement and revise the plan as needed, and continually evaluate the orientee’s performance—all steps focused on achieving the orientation goals.”

A preceptor’s job is not easy. Preceptors need a wide range of skills to meet the diverse needs of new nurses. For example they must have a high degree of clinical proficiency and be strong communicators, teachers, learner advocates, and evaluators. A preceptor must assess learning needs, teach, supervise the orientee’s clinical practice, verify initial competencies, evaluate performance, and foster acclimatization to the unit’s culture. Research demonstrates that, from the orientee’s point of view, the ability to integrate well into the unit contributes greatly to the perception of a successful orientation.

   
 
 

When qualified preceptors provide unit-based orientation, everyone benefits:
   

Patients receive competent care.
   
Orientees gain confidence and a foundation for continued development.
   
Preceptors earn professional achievement and personal satisfaction.
   
The unit staff has increased morale and decreased stress from working with competent colleagues.
   
The organization gains cost-effective recruitment and retention.
   
To help your healthcare organization improve nurse recruitment and retention and provide consistent education to new and experienced preceptors, check out Mosby's Preceptor Course, which was developed in a unique partnership with the National Nursing Staff Development Organization.

Call 866-416-6697 for details.
   
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