Preceptorship
What is Preceptorship?
Preceptorship is a widely used term to describe the support offered to newly qualified registered healthcare professionals at the start of their career. It is a period of structured transition for a newly qualified registered professional (Preceptee).
Preceptorship programmes are widely recognised in the development of newly qualified healthcare professionals and lead them on their way to being a competent and confident practitioner.
As stated by (NMC 2020) The main aim of preceptorship is to welcome and integrate newly registered professionals or those transitioning to a new area of practice into their new team and place of work. It helps these professionals translate their knowledge into everyday practice, grow in confidence and understand how to apply the Code in their day-to-day work (NMC 2020).
The Preceptee will need to be supported by a Preceptor (mentor), this will be a qualified registered healthcare professional within their setting. Ideally the Preceptor needs to be an experienced / senior member of the Practice Nurse team. The aim is for the Preceptee to develop their confidence and skills as an autonomous professional and continue a journey of lifelong learning.
A compulsory element of the Preceptorship programme is completion of a level 6 accredited portfolio that is provided through Buckingham University. The aim of the Clinical Portfolio is for you to collect evidence of progression towards competency defined in the QNI (2020) Standards of Education and Practice for Nurses New to General Practice Nursing, through case study assessment, a clinical skills log and reflective practice, to demonstrate development as a GPN.
On successful completion of the preceptorship programme including the portfolio submission achieves a Pass mark, the preceptee will receive a Level 6 Graduate Certificate in General Practice Nursing programme.
What is expected of me?
The preceptee should:
- Engage fully with the programme facilitated by Cheshire & Merseyside Training Hub in collaboration with University of Buckingham.
- Practice in accordance with the professional codes of conduct for your profession.
- Ensure that they understand the standards and competencies which they are required to meet (these are set out within the portfolio for the programme).
- Reflect and take responsibility for your own practice and experiences.
- Seek and engage with feedback from your preceptor (mentor).
- Highlight and share any learning needs you may have and work with your preceptor (mentor) to address these.
- Acknowledge that your preceptor is there as a facilitator to support you in your development needs, therefore you must contribute to the relationship.
- Ensure the portfolio is completed adhering to the set dates for final submissions.
The preceptor should:
- Understand the importance within their role of supporting and developing the nursing workforce.
- Have knowledge and understanding of the standards and competencies which the preceptees are required to meet (these are set out within the portfolio for the programme).
- Ensure they apply a flexible approach with their preceptee and consider individuals needs / requirements.
- Promote continuing professional development.
- To meet formally with your preceptee in accordance with the review intervals stated in the portfolio.
- To check in regularly (informally) with your preceptee to ensure they are well supported.
- Facilitate reflection for the development of clinical competency.
- Provide honest and objective feedback on areas of performance.
- Highlight any areas which are cause for concern and together (with your preceptee) develop an action plan to address these. Any concerns should also be raised to the practice manager as well.
The practice should:
- Pay a contribution of £250 towards the overall programme fee of £3,000 approx.
- Assign a suitable preceptor (mentor) within the practice to support the preceptee through the programme.
- Understand the value of preceptorship within developing the workforce.
- To ensure protected time is given to the preceptee for reflection and portfolio work (up to 1.5hrs per week).
- To ensure the review meetings are taking place between the preceptee and their preceptor.
- To ensure the preceptee is being adequately supported.
Fellowship
The NHS England Fellowship Programme, which is delivered by the training hub, is also available for new to practice GPNs. This programme incorporates the preceptorship programme and funds one session per week for the GPNs first two years in practice to support their development, CPD, networking and to provide mentorship. We strongly encourage all GPN preceptees to sign up to the GPN Fellowship to receive these additional benefits. For more information click here