Preceptoring new graduate nurses in emergency care: the lived experience of the preceptions

Abstract

Hiring of new graduates in nursing to work in the emergency department (ED) as their first nursing position is a fairly recent phenomenon. There is a vast amount of literature describing the experience of new graduate nurses employed in critical care and their experiences in preceptorship programs. However, there is limited literature specific to the ED and a paucity of literature describing the preceptorship experience from the perspective of ED nurses who act as preceptors to new graduates in emergency care. This study was designed with the purpose of describing the experiences of ED nurses who precepted newly graduated nurses. Phenomenology as described by Colaizzi was used to guide the study. Eight ED preceptors were interviewed using a semi structured interview guide. The findings consisted of six main themes and a number of subthemes. The main themes that were developed describe the lived experience of these eight ED preceptors: 1) meeting the challenges of teaching; 2) double the workload; 3) balancing responsibilities; 4) preceptor fatigue; 5) a reflection of preceptor competence; and 5) professional growth and strengthening practice. This study highlighted numerous areas where change is needed for ED preceptors. One of the main findings is the need for the preparation for the teaching role involved in preceptorship in order to meet the challenges inherent in this role. In order to continue to foster the future generations of nurses, especially in emergency care, it is important that the many challenges faced by ED preceptors are addressed. Implications are presented that could help improve the experience for ED preceptors, which would eventually lead to improved ED patient care.