Moving to an all graduate profession: preparing preceptors for their role

The world of Irish Nurse education has changed significantly over the last number of years, moving from certificate to diplomat status, from hospital-based training to integration within the higher education sector. The Irish Government has now committed £223,470,000 for the implementation of a four year pre-registration nursing degree programme. Consequently, from 2002 onwards all Irish pre-registration nurse education will be at graduate level. In recognition of the importance of student learning during practice placement the Nursing Education Forum (2000) recommended that nursing students be supported by a named preceptor. This recommendation has significant resource implications in terms of current staff demands, staff preparation and ongoing support for the preceptor role. This paper will focus on a review of the literature on student support mechanisms during practice placements with particular emphasis on the concept of preceptor and preceptorship.