Nurse Preceptor Burnout: Contributing Factors.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess nurse preceptor burnout and examine related factors. BACKGROUND: Nurse preceptors are essential to the provision of optimal hospital-based care. Preceptors guide and support nurses' transition from professional training to practice as well as movement within practice roles. METHODS: As a component of the DevelopYou database, nurse preceptors (N = 210) were surveyed electronically using the BHLex Preceptor Role Questionnaire. Data retrieved from this data set were analyzed. RESULTS: Twenty-eight percent (n = 60) of participants experienced burnout. Most (n = 203, 96.7%) enjoyed their role. Reasons for becoming a preceptor included a love for teaching, a desire to help others, and feelings of responsibility to the profession and the institution. Strategies to enable perceived value of the role focused on activities involving person-to-person interactions. CONCLUSIONS: On the basis of the results of this analysis, it is apparent that nurse preceptors want to feel valued and supported by administration and have opportunities to interact regularly with colleagues.