The Hospital Clinical Preceptor

Essential Preparation for Success

Baltimore, Jane J. RN, MSN, CCRN, CS, CPAN

Ms. Baltimore is Clinical Educator, Harborview Medical Center, Seattle, Washington.

Address correspondence to Jane J. Baltimore, RN, MSN, CCRN, CS, CPAN, Clinical Educator, Harborview Medical Center, 325 Ninth Avenue, Clinical Education Box# 359733, Seattle, WA.

The author acknowledges the nurse educators at Saint Mary's Mercy Medical Center, Metropolitan Hospital, Spectrum Health (Grand Rapids, Michigan) and Harborview Medical Center (Seattle, Washington), whose expertise and creativity contributed to the formation of this article.

Journal of Continuing Education in Nursing 35(3):p 133-140, May-June 2004.

Hospitals have a responsibility to provide preceptors with the knowledge and skills required to provide bedside instruction to and evaluation of orientees. Formal preceptor preparation programs that provide practical information for immediate application are necessary for successful transition of orientees into patient care environments. Essential content includes the importance of socialization, skill building techniques, critical thinking facilitation, and assignment management. Preceptor preparation courses need to be based on adult learning principles and incorporate interactive and creative teaching strategies.