For a period of preceptorship to be useful in achieving its aims, having a named preceptor is vital.
NHS Education for Scotland outlines that a good preceptor:
• gives constructive feedback
• sets goals and assesses competency
• facilitates problem solving
• demonstrates leadership skills
• knows what resources are available if you need additional support, such as occupational health services
• is an effective and inspirational role model who demonstrates professional values, attitudes and behaviours.
An effective and skilled preceptor to support and guide you through this transition is important in enabling you to achieve the learning, confidence and skills in your first year as a registered nurse. However, it is also important to have a preceptor as they will, along with many of your health colleagues, act as role models and will inspire and motivate you to support others as you develop your career.
Supporting others
The Code (NMC, 2018) requires you to:
• support students’ and colleagues’ learning to help them develop their professional competence and confidence
• act as a role model of professional behaviour for students and newly registered nurses, midwives and nursing associates to aspire to.
The new NMC Standards for Student Supervision and Assessment sets out the principles of student supervision in practice placements and the role of the practice supervisor. There is no longer a requirement for practice supervisors to have completed further NMC recorded training to become a supervisor. However, the standards do require organisations to ensure that practice supervisors ‘receive ongoing support to prepare, reflect and develop for effective supervision and contribution to student learning and assessment, and have understanding of the proficiencies and programme outcomes they are supporting students to achieve’.
Therefore, developing your skills in practice supervision is an important element of your preceptorship period and should be a key focus as you approach the final stages of your preceptorship plan. Access to learning and training opportunities to build on your skills and enable you to become an effective practice supervisor of students and others should be made available. You have a duty to engage with this continuing professional development.
The RCN has developed resources to support practice supervision:
rcn.org.uk/practice-supervision
rcn.org.uk/practice-based-learning
rcn.org.uk/professional-development
Or download Part 2: Standards for student supervision and assessment – NMC