Preceptorship: An integrative review of the literature

SummaryThe preceptorship model is as an effective teaching and learning strategy most frequently employed to educate undergraduate and graduate students in the practice setting. The purpose of this article is to discuss the current state of knowledge in preceptorship by way of an integrative review of the literature using [Ganong, L.H. 1987. Integrative reviews of nursing research. Research in Nursing & Health 10 (1), 1–11.] framework. The objectives of this article are threefold: (1) to discuss the evidence in the literature related to preceptorship, (2) to describe the framework used to conduct this integrative review [Ganong, L.H. 1987.], and (3) to present the results.Two questions guided this review: (1) how is preceptorship described in the allied health literature between 1994 and 2005, and (2) what new knowledge/information related to preceptorship has emerged in the literature between 1994 and 2005? Ten defining characteristics specific to preceptorship were used to guide the data search. These included such terms as attributes, characteristics, education, health, nurse, nurturing, preceptorship, preceptor, preceptors, and teaching and learning. The findings reveal a pervasive trend in professional education toward an emphasis on the role of preceptorship in preparing students for competent practice.