Abstract:

Objective:  In this article an exemplary education program for preceptor and novice nurses is presented in order to improve guidance skills which are essential for clinical training. This training program has been structured based on feedback and difficulties experienced by the preceptor nurses. Preceptor Education Program:  Preceptor nurses or candidates working in a university hospital attended the Preceptor Nurse Education Program (PNEP) created by the authors. PNEP, formed with a total of 199 nurses in 6 groups, was executed from 2007 to 2009. The education program was organized and conducted over eight hours accordance with the principles of adult education. The benefits and effectiveness of the training program were measured by five Likertscale type items and two open-ended questions. In addition, any difficulties faced by the preceptors and solutions to those problems were discussed in groups. Evaluation of Education Program:  The participants gave over five scores of 4.5 and above for the effectiveness of the education program. Nurses positively evaluated the training content and methods of the program on the grounds that it helped assess their guidance skills, produce effective solutions to precepting problems, and highlight the importance of precepting. Preceptors stated that the major problems were due to high turnover rate, and continuous precepting to new graduates made them experience fatigue and exhaustion. Participants proposed that the program should be repeated from time to time and also be lengthened. Conclusion:  Because PNEP programs are non-institutionalized, sharing this experience in Turkey is important to disseminate such programs and prepare others for success. Participants were highly satisfied with the program and new nurses added that it will improve their work during the adaptation period. The dissemination of schoolhospital collaborative education programs and the investigation into the benefits of facilitating during the adaptation period of novice nurses were proposed.

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