1. If You Don’t Give Us Any Instruction, How Are We Supposed To Grow?
Perceptions Of New Graduate Nurses Regarding Effective Teaching Strategies During Senior Preceptorships
Tara Wilkens BSN, RN Nurse Educator Student
Thesis Chair: Dr. Julie Klein PhD RN CNE
Thesis Committee: Dr. Glenda Reemts PhD RN
Mary Beth Johnson MN MA RNC

2. Nursing Shortage Current nursing shortage in the United States
Demand of 3.24 million nurses by 2022
Approximate one million job openings from 2012 to 2022
Strong need to fill the nursing demand
Decrease attrition rates and increase retention rates
Society requires registered nurses who are:
Safe
Competent/ qualified
Confident
Socialized into the new role
Preparation in didactic and clinical learning
(Dimitriadou, Pizirtzidou, & Lavaniti, 2013; Rosseter, 2014;
United States of America Department of Labor, 2013)

3. Role Socialization Integration of an individual into a new setting
Nursing culture constituents:
Behaviors
Attitudes
Actions
(Dimitriadou et al., 2013; Mariet, 2016)

4. Research Purpose
The aim, or purpose, of this qualitative study was to obtain the perceptions of new graduates during their first year of employment as registered nurses regarding teaching approaches utilized by preceptors during their senior preceptorship experience that most effectively prepared them to enter nursing practice.

5. Research Question
What are the perceptions of first year graduate nurses regarding the most effective teaching methods utilized by preceptors during their senior preceptorship experience that best prepared and socialized them for a career in nursing?

6. Organizing Framework Bandura’s Social Learning Theory
Identify the need for:
observational learning
a role model
To adequately shape behaviors, attitudes, and values
(as cited in Armstrong, 2008; Bandura, 1971)

7. Literature Review Major Themes
Nursing Shortage (Egenes, 2012; Snavely, 2016)
Transition Shock (Duchscher, 2009)
Nursing Role Socialization (Dimitriadou et al., 2013)
Role Modeling and the Social Learning Theory (Armstrong, 2008; Bandura, 1971)
Prevention of Attrition (Snavely, 2016)
Nursing Student Preceptorships (Kelly & McAllister, 2016)

8. Methodology and Design
Qualitative methodology
Phenomenological design
Semi-structured guided interviews
Cross sectional convenience sample
Total of eight participants
Employed in a variety of acute care settings
Graduated from two Midwestern baccalaureate nursing programs

9. Categories
Pushed me to learn: “Put us on a leash but let us have a little bit of rein on the leash” 1
Role socialization was enhanced by room for growth, feedback, and reflection 2
When I am preceptor, I want to… 3

10. Final Assertion
All interviewees expressed that the senior preceptorship was a vital part of role socialization for professional growth. The benefits of the exposure to the hands-on environment gave them the opportunity to transition from nursing student to graduate nurse. The interviewees discussed teaching strategies and character traits that they want to take forward as preceptors in their nursing careers.

11. Implications for Nursing Practice
Guides preceptor selection on behalf of nurse managers
Provides guidance for preceptor training programs
Best teaching strategies to utilize during preceptorship to assist with role socialization
Strategies to assist with effective preparation of nursing student
To improve nurse retention and prevent attrition
To fill projected nursing shortage

12. Recommendations for Further Study
Study to identify effective strategy for preceptor role selection criterion
Research preceptor education programs to determine if successful or if need for revision exists
Reevaluate needs of nursing preceptorship students every five years to check for change in student needs

13. References
Armstrong, N. (2008). Role modelling in the clinical workplace. British Journal of Midwifery, 16(9), Bandura, A. (1971). Social learning theory (Doctoral dissertation, Stanford University, 1971) (pp. 1-46). New York, NY: General Learning Press. Charleston, R., & Happell, B. (2005). Coping with uncertainty within the preceptorship experience: The perceptions of nursing students. Journal of Psychiatric & Mental Health Nursing, 12(3), doi: /j x Dimitriadou, A., Pizirtzidou, E., & Lavdaniti, M. (2013). The concept of socialization in nursing education. International Journal of Caring Sciences, 6(3), Retrieved April 8, 2017, from ezproxy2.bismarck.lib.nd.us:2242/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?sid=d5c70 70b-1aaa-4bcf-b c3166bee30%40sessionmgr4009&vid=73&hid=4001

14. References
Duchscher, J. E. (2009). Transition shock: The initial stage of role adaptation for newly graduated Registered Nurses. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 65(5), doi: /j x Egenes, K. J. (2012). The nursing shortage in the U.S.: A historical perspective. Chart, 110(4), Retrieved April 8, 2017, from ezproxy2.bismarck.lib.nd.us:2242/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?sid=d5c70 70b-1aaa-4bcf-b c3166bee30%40sessionmgr4009&vid=20&hid=4001 Kelly, J., & McAllister, M. (2013). Lessons students and new graduates could teach: A phenomenological study that reveals insights on the essence of building a supportive learning culture through preceptorship. Contemporary Nurse: A Journal for the Australian Nursing Profession, 44(2), doi: /conu

15. References
Mariet, J. (2016). Professional socialization models in nursing. International Journal of Nursing Education, 8(3), doi: ezproxy2.bismarck.lib.nd.us:2114/ / Rosseter, R. J. (2014, April 24). Nursing shortage fact sheet (Publication). Retrieved March 3, 2017, from American Association of College of Nursing website: Snavely, T. M. (2016). A brief economic analysis of the looming nursing shortage In the United States. Nursing Economic$, 34(2), Retrieved March 1, 2017, from ezproxy2.bismarck.lib.nd.us:2243/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?sid=8fbd1ff1- 163f-43aa-955f-de7868ef8404%40sessionmgr102&vid=4&hid=125 United States of America, Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2013, December 19). Economic News Release. Retrieved March 3, 2017, from