To be or not to be supervisors for medical students in general practice clinical placements: a questionnaire study from Norway.

OBJECTIVE: Many countries experience challenges in recruiting and retaining general practitioners (GPs) as supervisors for medical students in clinical placements. We aimed to investigate the opportunities, capacities and limitations of Norwegian GPs to become supervisors. DESIGN: Web-based cross-sectional questionnaire study. SETTING: Norwegian general practice. SUBJECTS: All GPs in Norway, including locums and those on leave, both active supervisors, and GPs who are not presently supervising medical students. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: GPs' terms of salary, office facilities, limiting factors, capacity and needs for becoming or continuing as supervisors. RESULTS: Among 5145 GPs, 1466 responded (29%), of whom 498 (34%) were active supervisors. Lack of a dedicated student office was the most reported limitation for both active supervisors (75%) and other GPs (81%). A high proportion (67%) of active supervisors reported that they could host more students per year, given financial support for equipped offices and higher salaries. With this kind of support, 48% (n = 461) of the GPs who were not supervisors for medical students were positive about a future supervisor role. By adjusted regression analysis, female GPs had lower likelihood of being supervisors, OR (95% CI) 0.75 (0.59-0.95) than male colleagues. GPs in the North, Mid and West regions had higher odds (OR 3.89, 3.10 and 2.42, respectively) than those in the South-East region. Teaching experience also increased the odds (2.31 (1.74-3.05). CONCLUSIONS: There seems to be capacity among both active and potential supervisors if increased salaries and financial support for office facilities are made available.

Undergraduate training by clinical placements is important for the recruitment of doctors to general practice, and depends on a sufficient number of GPs as supervisors.The study shows that there is sufficient capacity among Norwegian GPs to host medical students in clinical placements.Many potential supervisors among Norwegian GPs report that they have not been approached by a university to supervise medical students.Many supervisors state that they need increased salaries and financial support for facilities and expenses in order to supervise medical students.

Registered nurses' perceptions of nursing student preceptorship: Content analysis of open-ended survey questions.

Nursing preceptors play a crucial role in supporting and educating clinical students. Understanding the perceptions and needs of nurse preceptors is essential to enhance their role as preceptors and to improve their teaching practices. This study aimed to explore preceptorship in diverse settings and specific contexts. Content analysis was performed to analyze open-ended responses from a questionnaire based on nurses' perceptions of preceptorship with undergraduate nursing students. Data were collected from two university hospitals, with different healthcare provision levels. Of the 370 responses, 295 (96%) were those of women, and 34.5% were in the age group of 41-50 years. Three main themes were identified: (1) the role of preceptorship as a key component in learning, (2) challenges in student preceptorship, and (3) personal recognition and compensation for teaching work. This study highlights the positive experiences and provides valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities faced by nurse preceptors in their teaching roles, and emphasizes the need for institutional support and educational programs to enhance their teaching responsibilities. Improving communication and collaboration among stakeholders is crucial for improving learning outcomes and satisfaction.

The impact of preceptorship on the newly qualified nurse and preceptors working in a critical care environment: An integrative literature review.

BACKGROUND: Preceptorship has been found to be effective in supporting Newly Qualified Nurses (NQNs) during their transition into challenging environments, particularly in addressing issues related to confidence and anxiety. Effective preceptorship is an element of best practice and essential to support NQNs' transition into the critical care setting. However, the impact of preceptorship on NQNs and their preceptors in critical care units is yet to be completely understood. AIM: To review the impact of preceptorship on NQNs and preceptors working in a critical care environment. STUDY DESIGN: An integrative literature review of the literature. The review employed Whittemore and Knafl's (2005) five-stage integrative review approach. METHODS: Three databases (MEDLINE, CINAHL and PsycINFO) were searched for papers published between January 2010 and May 2022. The PRISMA framework was used to guide the search and screening. Thematic analysis was used to extract, organize and analyse the data. RESULTS: Nine studies were included in this review. Reflective thematic analysis revealed three themes, with four related subthemes. Preceptorship has an impact on the development of the NQNs and preceptors' 'nurturing' relationship. NQNs develop their knowledge, competence and confidence when experiencing supportive preceptorship. Meanwhile, preceptors experience a combination of increased workload and opportunities for learning and professional development as a result of preceptorship. CONCLUSION: There is evidence of the impact of preceptorship on learning and professional development for both NQNs and preceptors, but this is a complex phenomenon and further research is required to understand this area more fully. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: In nursing practice, it is well-established that Newly Qualified Nurses (NQNs) often face heightened levels of anxiety and a lack of confidence when embarking on their careers, particularly in the demanding and stressful environment of critical care units. This review holds particular significance in the realm of clinical practice as it delves into the pivotal role of preceptorship in nurturing the professional growth and development of NQNs within the challenging domain of critical care. Effective preceptorship, as an essential component of best practice, plays a pivotal role in aiding NQNs' transition into critical care settings.

Evaluating preceptorship during advanced pharmacy practice experiences in Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Introduction: Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) programs offer students' academic coursework and Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experiences (APPEs). APPEs are crucial for students, providing hands-on training in practice settings and enhancing clinical skills and decision-making abilities. Nevertheless, successful APPEs relies mainly on preceptorship. Hence, this study aims to evaluate preceptorship during APPEs in one of the non-major cities in Saudi Arabia. Method: A Cross-Sectional survey study was conducted among 40 PharmD students at Taibah University's College of Pharmacy which involved two telephone interviews conducted seven months apart. The survey instrument consisted of 46 questions divided into eight sections which covered various aspects such as demographics, clarity of rotation objectives, clinical and communication skills, assessment of the training and learning opportunities, preceptors' feedback and evaluation, interaction with patients, healthcare providers, and preceptors. Descriptive statistics and Cronbach's alpha coefficient were utilized to analyze the collected data and to assess the internal consistency of the multi-item Likert questions. Results: Preceptors were predominantly male, aged 26-35, with extensive experience in pharmacy practice and mentorship, yet they lacked specialized post-graduate training or education certification. Almost 50% of the preceptors exhibited competence in pharmacotherapy-related science, demonstrated a willingness to teach students and acknowledged the students' knowledge and skills. Furthermore, most of the students reported understanding of the APPEs objectives as the internship progressed. However, only 15% of late rotation participants strongly agreed on the safety of the learning environment, adequate time and regular contact with their preceptors. Starkly, only 3.0% of early rotation students and 6.1% of late rotation students strongly agreed with the improvement of their written and verbal communications. Conclusion: This study reported a noted decline in perceived learning support and environment safety as the APPEs' year progressed. Feedback and communication skills development were areas of concern, with limited satisfaction reported. The study highlights regional disparities in training quality, emphasizing the need for structured learning experiences and re-evaluation of preceptorship. Future research should aim to better understand the challenges associated with APPEs in non-major cities and rural areas, thereby making significant contributions to the enhancement of the pharmacy profession.

Evaluation of Staffordshire, Stoke on Trent Allied Health Professionals preceptorship programmes: a mixed method UK study.

AIM: This study aimed to evaluate current preceptorship provision across AHP professions in the Staffordshire, Stoke on Trent (SSOT) region of England to improve consistency, share and optimise best practice. BACKGROUND: Preceptorship, defined as a period of structured transition from newly qualified to an independent practitioner, is thought to improve recruitment and retention of staff and ultimately improve patient care. During the COVID pandemic, SSOT recognised the potential for graduates to lack confidence having had reduced clinical exposure as pre-registration students, and so a likely increased need to support newly qualified staff, and to evaluate existing AHP preceptorship provision. METHODS: An explanatory sequential mixed methods design, utilising a cross sectional survey questionnaire and two subsequent focus groups, explored existing AHP preceptorship in SSOT in 2021. Following ethical approval respondents were recruited via professional networks who completed an online survey questionnaire. Two subsequent focus groups enabled an in-depth exploration of survey results. Descriptive statistics summarised survey data and thematic analysis was used to describe focus group findings. RESULTS: SSOT AHPs (n = 217; 26% preceptees; 47% preceptors) participated in the survey questionnaire and 17 AHPs in the focus groups. 57% of preceptees rated existing preceptorship programmes to be "somewhat, or not effective". Preceptors reported feeling unprepared for their role. Both preceptees and preceptors reported that, post pandemic, most existing programs required revisions to be fit for purpose. Ten pragmatic summary recommendations were made. CONCLUSIONS: Allied Health Professions Preceptorship in SSOT was found to be inconsistent, poorly understood and inadequate. Revisions to preceptorship programs across Staffordshire and Stoke on Trent NHS Trusts have been instigated to reflect changes in AHP practice since the COVID pandemic.

Characteristics of residency programs and residents' learning experience in Brazil: a multispecialty, nation-wide study.

Factors associated with the optimal physician resident learning are yet to be fully understood. We aimed to correlate the characteristics of residency programs with the learning perception of residents. This was a cross-sectional study using an online structured questionnaire published on social networks, enrolling physician residents from almost all specialties in Brazil. The collection tool was settled considering the current national standards of medical residency programs in Brazil and it was internally validated. The response rate was 71.4% (n = 1,419). The median age was 28 years (IQR = 27-30), 51.9% were from clinical areas and 69.9% from the first or second postgraduation year. Adequate quality of faculty supervision was reported by 50.9%; frequent supervision of assistance activities in 22.1%; proper structure for carrying out healthcare in 82.1%, formal appraisals in 81.8%, classroom activities more than three times a week in 12.3%. Learning was rated as satisfactory by 70.8%. We found an 'inverted-U' shape correlation between duty hours and learning - briefer and longer workloads were associated with unsatisfactory learning. The factors independently associated with learning satisfaction were quantity (OR = 10.79, 95%CI = 7.38-15.77) and quality (1.68, 1.19-2.37) of preceptorship, structure for healthcare (2.10, 1.44-3.08), formal evaluations (1.83, 1.26-2.67), and briefer workload (0.18, 0.04-0.90) and age (0.94, 0.89-0.99) (AUROC = 0.838, 95%CI = 0.816-0.860). We conclude that the perception of satisfactory learning was influenced by higher frequency and quality of faculty supervision, adequate structure for healthcare, formal assessments, and reduced duty hours and age. Regulatory institutions should reinforce strategies to guarantee the fulfillment of residency standards and faculties should receive continued formal training to maximize their teaching skills.

How to choose a preceptor: aspects to consider based on a grounded theory study.

BACKGROUND: Nurses in clinical practice settings share responsibility with academy teachers in the education of nursing students in clinical teaching. This dynamic is essential for the students' learning and their skill development. During preceptorship, the nurse has to mobilize the available resources to act competently and effectively. The purpose of this article is to identify the aspects that should be considered when selecting a nurse preceptor. METHODS: A qualitative study was carried out based on Grounded Theory using Strauss and Corbin's version. The study took place in a medicine ward and a surgery ward of a hospital in the Lisbon metropolitan area. The authors conducted fourteen semi-structured interviews with nurses who were at different stages of Benner's Professional Development Model and with different outlooks on nursing preceptorship. The initial script was reorganized after the pilot test. It was also adjusted after the first exploratory interviews and after the in-depth interviews in order to reflect the interviewees' work experience and outlooks on preceptorship. The interviews had an average duration of 45 min and were audio recorded. Theoretical sampling was conducted considering the needs identified in data coding until we reached theoretical saturation. Data analysis began after the first interview, first by open coding, followed by axial and selective coding, always in a logic of constant comparison with theory. Ethical principles, scientific integrity and methodological rigour were ensured throughout the study. RESULTS: Two categories emerged that were supported by all nurses: skills and individual characteristics. The former includes communication skills, relational skills, reflective skills, technical-scientific skills, and emotional skills, while the latter includes perceptiveness, responsibility, motivation, and professional initiative. CONCLUSION: Nurses value both the individual characteristics they possess and the skills they have developed throughout their career. The recognition of the aspects found in this study for the selection of nurse preceptors allows for an informed and reasoned decision making, with a view to the success of the preceptorship and to the improvement of the quality of nursing education.

Nurse preceptors' perceptions of benefits, rewards, support, and commitment to the preceptor role in a new preceptorship program.

BACKGROUND: Nurse preceptorship is a new concept emerging in the Iranian health care system. The purpose of this research was to assess preceptor nurses' perceived benefits, rewards, support, and commitment to the role in a new nurse preceptorship program in Iran and to examine the relationships between these concepts. METHODS: A descriptive correlational study was employed, and using total population sampling method, 45 preceptor nurses were recruited from a tertiary referral teaching hospital in Iran. Data were collected using the Preceptor's Perception of Benefits and Rewards Scale, the Preceptor's Perception of Support Scale, and the Commitment to the Preceptor Role Scale. Descriptive statistics and correlational analysis were used to analyse data. RESULTS: Preceptors' commitment to their role was positively and moderately associated with their perceived benefits and rewards (r = 0.503, p = 0.001) and perceived support (r = 0.430, p = 0.003). None of the examined demographic and practice variables showed statistically significant association with commitment to the preceptor role. CONCLUSIONS: Commitment to the preceptor role was associated with benefits, rewards and support that preceptor nurses perceive in relation to their role. To optimise the effectiveness of nurse preceptorship programs, benefits, rewards, recognition, and support should be integral to planning of these programs.

Key tips to providing a psychologically safe learning environment in the clinical setting.

Having psychological safety embedded in preceptorship relationships facilitates positive interpersonal and educational experiences for students. Psychological safety refers to a student's belief as to whether or not it is safe for them to take interpersonal risks, such as asking questions, sharing an idea for improvement or speaking up to maintain patient safety. Having psychological safety leads to collaboration, positive student learning experiences and effective patient care. This article presents key guidelines for preceptors to provide a psychologically safe learning environment for their students. Guidelines fall under four categories 1) before meeting students, 2) first meeting students, 3) continued relationship with students, and 4) general rules. These guidelines are informed by current literature on psychological safety and preceptorship and the author's clinical expertise in nursing preceptorship. We conceptualise psychological safety in a nursing preceptorship for preceptors to denote the experience of inclusivity, empowerment, and well-being of students within the social, cultural and physical clinical learning environment. A crucial attribute to cultivating a psychologically safe environment involves being an accessible and approachable preceptor.

'All we've ever known is Covid': A follow-up study with newly qualified nurses who worked as student nurses during the pandemic.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To explore the experiences of nursing students in England who had worked through the first wave and transitioned to qualification in the ongoing pandemic. BACKGROUND: Experiences of health professionals and student nurses during the pandemic are now well documented, but the transition of students to qualification is less well understood. In Summer 2020, we interviewed 16 student nurses who had worked as health care assistants on paid extended placements as part of the COVID-19 response in the East of England, finding surprisingly positive experiences, including perceived heightened preparedness for qualification. A year later, we re-interviewed 12 participants from the original study to hear about transitioning to qualification during the ongoing pandemic. This study provides novel insights into their experiences. DESIGN: A qualitative study design was used. METHODS: Twelve newly qualified nurses who had participated in the original study took part in qualitative, online interviews where they shared their experiences of working and transitioning to qualification during the ongoing pandemic since we spoke to them a year earlier. The data was analysed using thematic analysis. COREQ guidelines were used in developing and reporting this study. RESULTS: Three themes were identified. Constant change: in the clinical environment and arising out of the transition to newly qualified nurse, mental health and well-being and reflecting on the past to learn for the future. CONCLUSIONS: Participants experienced a unique transition to qualification. The perceived heightened preparedness for qualification that participants who had worked as students during the first wave of the pandemic had become a reality, ameliorating some of the known effects of transition. However, increased expectations and added responsibilities in extremely busy, fluctuating clinical environments with minimal support add weight to calls for mandatory preceptorship programmes. While heightened resilience was evident, provision of ongoing mental health and well-being support is strongly recommended. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: We need a partnership approach with nurse educators and practice colleagues which ensures preparation for qualified practice is appropriate. If we do not effectively prepare students for qualified nurse posts, patient care will almost certainly be compromised.

Newly graduated nurses' evaluation of the received orientation and their perceptions of the clinical environment: An intervention study.

BACKGROUND: New graduate nurses (NGN) are the future of healthcare organizations where a shortage of nurses will soon be reality. The transition from a student to a registered nurse can be a demanding and challenging time, and in order to retain new graduate nurses, the transition should be as smooth as possible. AIM: The aim of this study was to examine preceptors' education intervention's impact on NGNs' orientation period and their clinical learning environment from NGNs' point of view. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This survey was a part of a longitudinal quasi-experimental intervention study. Participating units were randomized into intervention group and control group. The intervention group's preceptors (n=174)were provided a face-to-face education about orientation. RESULTS: NGNs (n=72) were relatively satisfied with the received orientation. However, intervention group was more discontented with their orientation experiences than the control group. The control group's NGNs had longer orientation periods and more feedback discussions. They were also more satisfied with their preceptor's orientation skills and their working environment was more responsive. DISCUSSION: Even though the impact of the intervention was inconclusive, this study provided us important information about NGNs' first steps towards the nursing profession by giving us clear improvement targets. We need a culture of feedback, individualized orientation and understanding that orientation should be our common interest. Investing in orientation is investing for the future. CONCLUSION: This study indicated that the increase in knowledge did not translate into everyday practice. This finding will hopefully give rise to discussion within organizations on how to utilize employees' gained knowledge more effectively.

Clinical preceptorship in Ghana in the era of COVID-19 pandemic: an interventional study.

BACKGROUND: Innovations in clinical nursing education are critical in enhancing the experiences of students, especially in the era of coronavirus pandemic. This study aimed at investigating nurse preceptors' perceptions of use, intention to use and self-efficacy towards digital technology in preceptorship in the Cape Coast Metropolis of Ghana. METHODS: A concurrent type of mixed-methods design with a non-randomised interventional study using three-phase multi-methods technique was conducted among nurse preceptors in the Cape Coast Metropolis in the Central Region of Ghana. Forty-five nurse preceptors participated in a pre and post training intervention while seven were purposively selected for the qualitative interview. Complimentarity method of triangulation was used in the analysis. The quantitative data were analysed with STATA version 16 and presented using frequencies, percentages, means with standard deviations and McNemar's test while qualitative data were analysed using the six steps approach to qualitative data analysis by Braun and Clarke. RESULTS: Perceived usefulness statement "using technology will improve clinical teaching" increased from 19 (42.22%) at baseline to 44 (97.78%) post intervention. Perceived ease of using technology statement "I would find it easy to get this technology to do what I want it to do" also increased from 36 (80.00%) to 41 (91.11%) post intervention. Self-efficacy increased from 40 (88.89%) to 43 (95.56%) after the intervention. There was a statistically significant difference between pre-training and post-training scores regarding tablet (p = 0.016) and experience with online library resources (p = 0.039). The qualitative results yielded three themes, namely: strengths of using technology; constraints in the learning environment; and future of technological approach to clinical teaching. CONCLUSIONS: The training intervention improved participants intentions, self-efficacy, perceived use and perceived ease of use of technology. However, there are constraints in the clinical learning environment including students and preceptor-related factors, and institutional factors that needs to be addressed as part of efforts to implement technology in clinical teaching in this era of COVID-19 pandemic and beyond.

Supporting the transition to practice: preceptor behaviors that foster a positive student preceptorship experience.

OBJECTIVES: Preceptors support nursing students when transitioning to the professional nursing role. This study explored student perceptions of preceptor characteristics that promoted or hindered learning. METHODS: A Likert-scale survey including two open-ended questions was sent to 571 nursing students completing a preceptorship experience. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze responses to the Likert-scale items. Qualitative analysis was completed on the two exploratory questions to extract themes. RESULTS: Students rated the preceptor between 4=Very Good and 5=Outstanding for all items. No significant differences in scores were found when comparing results between programs. Themes assisting in learning included: increasing independence gradually and pushing out of comfort zone. Themes identified that hindered learning included: doubting self and being pushed aside. CONCLUSIONS: Future implications include communicating preceptorship objectives and providing ways to apply research to practice. These findings can guide collaboration between academic and practice partners to assist with transition to practice.

Nurses' experiences of a recertification process involving a series of examinations to obtain a nursing license in a new country.

AIM: To examine internationally educated nurses' (IENs') experiences of the recertification process when undergoing a series of examinations to test their nursing knowledge and skills and, thereby, obtain a Swedish nursing license. DESIGN: A qualitative study with a descriptive design. METHODS: A convenience sample of 15 IENs at the end of the recertification process was included. Data were collected using semi-structured telephone interviews between September 2019 and January 2021 and analysed using qualitative content analysis. RESULTS: Conducting the recertification process to obtain a Swedish nursing license was challenging in many ways, and the nurses described a rollercoaster of emotions during the process: frustration, loneliness, stress and anxiety, but also happiness, pride and relief. The process was, for some, so demanding they almost gave up, and support was, therefore crucial for the nurses. However, many times, they had to struggle to find out where they could turn for help or guidance. CONCLUSION: The nurses found the formal support during the recertification process to be inadequate and inaccessible. For this reason, and to decrease the risk of nurses dropping out and instead taking unlicensed jobs, there is a need to develop and introduce more supportive structures and to make the existing support and information more accessible for the nurses. IMPACT: This study highlights the importance of offering accessible support during a demanding and challenging recertification process. These findings can help policymakers develop and introduce supportive structures in the process of recertification for IENs.

Perspectives, experiences, and opinions precepting advanced practice registered nurse students.

BACKGROUND: Significant growth in advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) student placements for clinical practicums have forced APRN preceptors, hospitals, and clinics to restrict the volume of APRN students they can accommodate. PURPOSE: Describe the experiences and opinions of APRNs regarding their precepting experiences of APRN students in three main areas; placement antecedents, placement postcedents, and preceptor incentives. METHODS: Quality improvement study conducted via electronic survey that contained quantitative short answer and a qualitative open-ended question of APRNs licensed in the State of REDACTED in June, 2019. FINDINGS: A total of 757 surveys were quantitatively analyzed. Qualitative thematic analysis resulted in identifying one overarching theme, the need for shared responsibility and accountability, and six unique primary themes. DISCUSSION: Our findings indicate that APRN preceptors recognize their critical role but lack support and preparation to fully execute academic and profession strategic goals and objectives. There is the need for academic and professional ownership of APRN education at every level.

Understanding nurse preceptors' experiences in a primary health care setting: A descriptive qualitative study.

AIM: This study sought to understand primary health care nurse preceptors' experiences of precepting junior nurses. BACKGROUND: Nurse preceptors provide clinical teaching to nurses and pre-registration nurses and play a supervisory role in their work. The demand for preceptors in the primary health care setting is on the rise, and there is a huge responsibility placed on them on top of their routine workload. METHODS: A descriptive qualitative approach was adopted, and purposive sampling was used to select the participants. 14 nursing preceptors across six polyclinics were interviewed. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the data. RESULTS: The analysis revealed three themes: (1) a vessel for transferring knowledge; (2) building a therapeutic relationship; and (3) overcoming organisational barriers. CONCLUSION: In light of the study's findings, strategies to address the insufficient knowledge of nurse preceptors, lack of recognition and preceptorship opportunities must be developed. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING MANAGEMENT: More attention and opportunities for nurse preceptors' professional development such as courses to enhance their knowledge on educational and research developments as well as teaching seminars to maintain and build effective relationships with their preceptees. In addition, recognizing the role of nurse preceptors as a pillar of guiding the future generation of nurses and research to support nurse preceptors in their training cannot be undermined.

Preceptorship as part of the recruitment and retention strategy for nurses? A qualitative interview study.

AIM: To explore aspects that are important for the integration of preceptorship and processes for recruitment and retention of nurses. BACKGROUND: The shortage of nurses is a global concern that has a major impact on health care systems around the world. However, earlier research has not considered whether preceptorship of nursing students can be an integral part of recruitment and retention of nurses. METHOD: A descriptive design with a qualitative approach was used. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with ten preceptors and six ward managers in different health care specialties in Sweden. RESULTS: Three aspects were found central for integrating preceptorship with recruitment and retention: perceptions of preceptorship, the organisation of preceptorship and the way preceptorship operates in relation to recruitment and retention strategies. CONCLUSION: The findings suggest that preceptorship and recruitment strategies could both benefit from being integrated. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING MANAGEMENT: It is central for nursing managers to develop organisational practices that enable the integration of preceptorship with recruitment and retention of nurses. This could increase the quality of both preceptorship and the work environment in general.

Factors that influence the preceptor role: a comparative study of Saudi and expatriate nurses.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to compare expatriate and Saudi nursing staff's perceptions of factors that influence their role as preceptors of nursing students. METHODS: Descriptive comparative study using a self-administered survey was completed by a convenience sample of eligible nurses (n=285). It was conducted in five different hospitals within the Ministry of Health in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. RESULTS: Most preceptors were expatriate nurses (70.5%), while Saudi preceptors represented only 29.5%. The findings show that there is a difference between Saudi and expatriate nurses in their perception of the role, that cultural factors influence the role of expatriate preceptors and that organisational factors influence both groups. CONCLUSIONS: Expatriate preceptors felt that there were cultural obstacles that hindered their role. These findings will contribute to the development of a more contemporary and culturally sensitive preceptorship model.

Proctorship in Minimally Invasive Colorectal Surgery.

Teaching an established surgeon in a novel technique by a colleague who has acquired a level of expertise is often referred to as "proctoring" or "precepting." Surgical preceptorships can be defined as supervised teaching programs, whereby individual or groups of surgeons (proctors) experienced in a certain technique support a colleague who wants to adopt this technique (sometimes referred to as "delegates" or "preceptees"). Preceptorship programs really focus on a specific technique, technology, or skill which is required to broaden, complement, or transform an established surgeon's practice. Within colorectal surgery, in the past 30 years, there is been an evolution of interventional options including open, laparoscopic, robotic, and endoscopic procedures. With each new emerging technology and technique, safe and effective uptake by established surgeons is best been attained by a period of proctorship by an experienced colleague. Formalizing this has been facilitated largely through industry support. There, however, remains a considerable chasm when it comes to standardization, quality control, and jurisprudence. This article aims to describe the requirements for a contemporary proctorship program, to examine instruments of quality control, and how to improve effectiveness.

Employing newly qualified nurses to work in hospices: A qualitative interview study.

AIM: To establish an understanding of the experiences of newly qualified nurses' working in hospices from the perspective of both newly qualified and senior nurses. DESIGN: A qualitative interview study. METHODS: Semi-structured interviews with six newly qualified nurses and five senior nurses from four UK hospices were conducted between March - July 2017. RESULTS: The hospices involved in this study were among the first to recruit newly qualified nurses. Participants believed that newly qualified nurses coped well with hospice working and received unique opportunities for professional development. Participants identified the value of formal and informal support, however, newly qualified nurses faced negative attitudes from some established staff. Newly qualified nurses expressed concerns about a perceived lack of technical clinical skills training, however, they highlighted gaining end-of-life care and communication skills that would be transferrable to other settings. Participants highlighted the need to allocate more time for education and formal support including preceptorship. Senior staff did not necessarily expect newly qualified nurses to remain in long-term hospice employment suggesting that they could disseminate their hospice learning to future workplaces. CONCLUSION: This study supports recruitment strategies that increasingly target newly qualified nurses to work in hospices with findings suggesting that hospices can be a suitable environment for recent graduates to work in. The senior nurses in this study viewed the employment of newly qualified nurses in a positive light but shared the concerns of newly qualified nurses regarding skills training. IMPACT: At a time when hospices need to expand if they are going to meet demand for their services, they along with most areas of healthcare face difficulties recruiting and retaining registered nurses. To increase the appeal of hospice employment, recruitment campaigns aimed at newly qualified nurses should emphasize the transferability of skills gained in hospice settings.