The experience of being a novice nursing preceptor in western rural Canada

This qualitative study explores the experiences of novice nursing preceptors in rural healthcare settings, aiming to highlight the unique challenges and opportunities they face. Drawing on an extensive literature review, the research identifies gaps in the current understanding of rural preceptorship, emphasizing the need for enhanced preparation, communication, and organizational support. Investigating the lived experiences of novice preceptors, the study employs semi-structured interviews with a purposive sample of participants, providing in-depth insights into the realities of rural nursing preceptorship. The sample consists of nursing professionals who have recently undertaken preceptor roles in rural settings, offering an underexplored perspective on the challenges and needs of novice preceptors. Key findings reveal significant ambiguity in preceptors' roles and responsibilities, exacerbated by inadequate formal training and support. Communication barriers, heightened by geographical isolation, further complicate the preceptorship experience. The study also notes a pronounced lack of recognition and resources available to preceptors, underscoring the vital role of organizational support in enhancing the effectiveness of rural nursing preceptorship programs. The implications of this research are far-reaching, suggesting that targeted interventions are necessary to support novice preceptors, thereby enriching the preceptorship experience and strengthening the nursing workforce in rural communities. The findings contribute to the broader discourse on nursing education and preceptorship, offering practical recommendations for healthcare organizations, educational institutions, and policymakers to address the identified gaps.

Authors

• Hawke, Tyrel L.
• University of Lethbridge. Faculty of Health Sciences

• nursing preceptorship
• nursing education
• rural nursing
• novice preceptors
• rural preceptorship

Identifier

hdl:10133/6964

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:opus.uleth.ca:10133/6964