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Inside scoop from our experts: Select the right nurses to be preceptors

HCPro's Weekly Update on the ANCC Magnet Recognition Program®*, July 8, 2008

This week, a reader asks how to select nurse preceptors. Read the response from our advisor Diana Swihart, PhD, DMin, MSN, CS, RN-BC, clinical nurse specialist, nursing educator, at Bay Pines VA Healthcare System, Bay Pines, FL.

Q: How do you select nurse preceptors?

A: Not every experienced/educated/successful nurse is able to precept another. Precepting success is grounded in respectful one-to-one interpersonal interactions that encourage and facilitate the personal growth and professional development of preceptees.

When establishing criteria that nurses need to be preceptors, begin with the following:

• A minimum of two years experience in nursing
• Acceptable length of time and experience in the unit/area of the preceptorship
• Acceptable performance evaluations
• Acceptable attendance records
• Current in all competency and annual training expectations
• Education/advanced specialty certification expectations
• Attendance at a preceptor workshop, if available

Editor’s note: Do you have a question for our experts? If you'd like us to consider your query for publication, please send it to associate editor Cameran Erny at cerny@hcpro.com.

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