The experiences of trained nurse preceptors regarding their clinical teaching practice in the Western Cape

Abstract

The nurse preceptors underwent a preceptorship training programme offered by the University of the Western Cape, School of Nursing, which prepared them for this teaching role. A quantitative study was done following this preceptorship training programme but no qualitative study since. It is vital to explore the experiences of these trained nurse preceptors regarding clinical teaching practice post the training programme. The aim of the study was to explore trained nurse preceptors‟ experiences regarding their clinical teaching practice in the Western Cape. The objective was to describe trained nurse preceptors‟ experiences of their clinical teaching practice in the service settings in the Western Cape. An exploratory, descriptive, contextual design was used to describe the experiences of trained nurse preceptors in the Western Cape. A purposive sample was selected from three levels of healthcare service settings. Semi-structured interviews were conducted by the researcher with nine individual nurse preceptors who voluntarily agreed to participate in the study. Data analysis was done following Collaizi‟s‟ steps which led to coding of categories and themes. The findings indicated that preceptorship training programme had changed the nurse preceptors‟ perceptions. These nurse preceptors were prepared by the programme and ready for the preceptor role. Their teaching skills were strengthened and improved. They accepted the training programme as adequate preparation to facilitate clinical teaching and learning of students and found it to be effective for their self-development. These findings will inform v the managers about clinical teaching practice, assist the offering institution with the evaluation of the preceptorship training programme and add to an existing literature about the experiences of nurse preceptors. This research recommends that the education institutions, in collaboration with the clinical facilities initiate a qualitative study to explore the experiences of students preceptored by trained nurse preceptors. Such a study will further explore the effectiveness of the preceptorship training programme from the perspective of the students. With the positive feedback from the participants, it is essential that the training of preceptors remains one of the continuing education programme offered by the University of the Western Cape. Permission to conduct this research was obtained from the University of Western Cape, Senate Higher Degrees Committee, and Western Cape of Provincial Department Research Team in Western Cape as well as from the Chief Executive Officers of the three levels of healthcare service settings.