The Effect of Preceptorship on Clinical Education of Nursing Students

Abstract

This study examined effect of preceptorship on clinical education of senior nursing students of Y. university in Seoul. Quasi- experimental study design was used . Sixty students of pre-test and 80 of post-test participated in this study. Competency scores of the students before the clinical educaton(pre-competency scores) were compared with the competency scores after the clinical education(post-competency scores), and teacher evaluation scores between preceptors and clinical instructors were also compared. Difference between the data from students with preceptors(experimental group, N=22) and with clinical instructors(comparative group, N=58) were also examined. Study results indicated that the total post- competency scores were higher compared to the total pre-competency scores, and the difference was statistically significant. Among 7 sub-domains, differences were all statistically significant in 6 sub-domains except "self-esteem" domain. Competency scores of the students who had clinical education with preceptors were higher than those of students who had clinical education from clinical instructors. But the difference between those scores was not statistically significant. However, students gave higher evaluation scores to preceptors than clinical instructors. This study concluded that preceptorship did not influence much on clinical education at this time yet. However it is expected that when preceptors adjust their new roles and function them in expert level, this system would be effective for the clinical education. This study recommended that for the preceptors to increase their motivation to teach students and to accept their roles, systemic rewards are needed.