Brian McGowan

Newly qualified nurses’ experiences of a preceptorship

RESEARCH QUESTION What was the experience of preceptorship like for newly qualified registered nurses in a healthcare trust? METHOD A qualitative approach was used with data collected using semi-structured one-to-one interviews with eight participants who had recently completed their preceptorship period. The data was analysed using Newell and Burnards (2011) Pragmatic Approach to Qualitative Data Analysis, which involved a six-stage analysis process. FINDINGS Two main categories emerged from the data. These were Support Requirements and Expectations of Preceptorship. Support was further broken down into two themes: time and build confidence. Expectations of preceptorship was further broken down into two themes; understanding the process and understanding the preceptors role. CONCLUSION The participants felt that preceptorship offered support and helped them in developing their confidence in the transition to registrant. It would appear that consistency of provision of preceptorship is a key issue that would warrant further study.

Response to Draper J (2008) commentary on McGowan B (2006) 'who do they think they are? Undergraduate perceptions of the definition of supernumerary status and how it works in practice'. Journal of Clinical Nursing 15, 1099-1105.

Draper makes some important points in her commentary that I would support unequivocally. However, it must be stressed that the findings were an accurate reflection of what the students (in Northern Ireland) had experienced and said at that time. Given that much confusion has (and continues) to surround supernumerary status it was necessary to settle upon an operational definition that encapsulated the essence of being supernumerary. In hindsight, however, I would concede that the protection of time has been an issue and would support Draper’s assertion that its inclusion in any definition would be important. Overall, the commentary adds to the debate and serves a useful function in providing focus and direction for the more urgent points raised in the study.