Perception of nursing students to two models of preceptorship in clinical training

PurposeThis descriptive survey aimed at exploring nursing students' perception of two models of preceptorship: Model A requires intensive mentorship while Model B requires increasing students' independence and self directed learning.MethodsConvenience sample of 110 nursing students were recruited for this study. Fifty seven who were in courses of adult I and adult II were engaged in Preceptorship Model A, while 53 who were in courses of maternity and pediatric nursing were engaged in Preceptorship model B. Moore's (2009) reliable “Preceptorship Evaluation Survey” was used for data collection. It consists of three dimensions: preceptor's performance, preceptorship support at the practice site, and preceptee satisfaction with the clinical training experience. t-test, independent samples, was used for data analysis.ResultsThe findings showed that participants' mean scores on each dimension: preceptee satisfaction, program support, as well as preceptor's performance domains (teacher, facilitator, role model, provider of feedback, adept with adult learning, advocate, and socializer) were significantly (p < .05) in favor of Model A.ConclusionsParticipants perceived the preceptorship model which incorporates intensive mentoring as more satisfactory than the preceptorship model where increasing students' independence and self directed learning is required.