Effect of a Preceptor Education Workshop: Part 1. Quantitative Results of a Hospital-Wide Study

Background: This study examined the hospital-wide effect of a mandatory 8-hour preceptor workshop on preceptors and orientees. Methods: A mixed-methods approach (QUAN + qual) with a quasi-experimental design was used to test nurse preceptors' self-reported confidence and comfort (pre- to postworkshop) in five specific roles in addition to the frequency of coaching critical thinking and providing formal feedback. Additionally, survey items compared cross-sectional cohorts of preceptors and orientees pre- to postworkshop. Orientee retention rates were compared for 1 year before and 1 year after the workshop. Results: Findings from the QUAN portion of the study are presented. Paired t tests showed that preceptors (n = 131) reported significantly improved results for confidence and comfort in all five specific preceptor roles measured 3 to 6 months after workshop attendance; coaching of critical thinking was increased, whereas provision of formal feedback was not. Preceptor-reported comfort and confidence were not significantly greater in the cohort who participated in the workshop compared with the noninterventional cohort (n = 74). Among orientees, satisfaction with preceptors was not significantly improved for the cohort whose preceptors had attended training (n = 53) versus the previous cohort (n = 39). Among orientee cohorts, greater confidence in critical thinking skills on completion of orientation occurred only among experienced transfer nurses. Orientees who had three to four preceptors reported the highest composite satisfaction. One year postintervention, significantly more orientees were retained (125 of 132) than in the previous year (82 of 94) (chi-square, p <.05). Conclusion: Preceptor workshops are effective in preparing experienced nurses to precept new nurses, as measured by self-reported development of preceptors and retention of orientees.