Preceptors' Perspectives on Recruitment, Support, and Retention of Preceptors

In this study, the researchers sought consensus among preceptors of senior nursing students about issues key to the preceptors' recruitment, support, and retention. A modified Delphi method with two rounds of questionnaires was used followed by a focus group to explore issues for which consensus was not reached. Preceptors agreed on the importance of personal satisfaction and on a number of tangible benefits of being a preceptor that could be emphasized as part of recruitment strategies. Consensus was reached on ways to support preceptors such as receiving information on a need-to-know basis. Topics such as how to help students think critically and how to provide constructive feedback also were considered important. Preceptors agreed that having students well prepared at the beginning of preceptored experiences was important as was receiving a personalized thank you letter to acknowledge their work at the end of the experience, two strategies that could help with retention.