3 Keys to Creating Preceptor Stars
By: Aorn Staff
Published: 4/7/2022
3 Keys to Creating Preceptor Stars
April 10, 2022
In 2019 perioperative educator JohnRich Levine, DNP, APRN, CNOR, CSSM, NEA-BC, worked with his team at Baylor St. Luke’s Medical Center in Houston to shape their STAR Preceptor Program, leveraging precision and economy to prepare a small team of preceptor “Stars” who were supremely ready to help new nurses adapt swiftly to their clinical role.
To their great joy, the program has remained a success and provided much needed support as staff roles fluctuated through the COVID-19 pandemic.
Today, across the country, preceptors are needed more than ever as staffing shortages persist and perioperative leaders recruit nurses to fill staffing gaps. So, we asked Levine what has made his preceptor program a success? He shared these three tips:
- Prepare Preceptors Now
Don’t wait until there is a need to assign a preceptor to a role. Train a small team of preceptors before you need them, so they are ready to hit the ground running, Levine advises.
“It’s when preparation meets opportunity that any preceptor is truly tested. The sooner you can train a team of nurses in your unit to take on the preceptor role, the better situated you will be.”
- Choose Future Preceptors Who Have a Passion to Teach
To identify the best potential preceptors, look for those who have a passion for education that meets the needs of the learner, Levine stresses. He notes, “there is no single perfect preceptor training method, or perfect preceptor, nor one perfect nurse to take on a preceptor role.”
Levine and his team found that any nurse can succeed as a preceptor if they have a love of learning combined with a drive to be fully prepared and therefore confident to incorporate tailored learning into every clinical encounter.
- Focus Preceptor Training on Application of Knowledge
Levine’s preceptor program employs the standard adult learning approaches based on Malcolm Knowles’ concept of andragogy, which includes self-direction, transformation, experience, mentorship, mental orientation, motivation, and readiness to learn.
However, one unique element is the “Application” portion of their preceptor education sessions, which Levine senses is what makes the program so successful.
“Rather than only talking to the learners, we allow them significant time to reflect and verbalize what they have learned. It is a great learning moment when clinical training experiences begin to sink in, and a nurse can talk about what has been learned.”
They’ve found that nurses who can clearly articulate what they learn and how they will apply that knowledge are more engaged, invigorated, and ready to provide safe patient care when they return to their clinical areas after their preceptorship.
Levine shares a step-by-step process for creating a STAR Preceptor Program in his new education session – part of the Virtual AORN Expo 2022. Register for the Virtual Pass to get access to Levine’s session starting April 21.
