Predictors of Effective Preceptorship among Nurses in Clinical Teaching at Tenwek Hospital, Bomet Kenya

Abstract

Background: Preceptorship is a clinical teaching model through which students are facilitated to acquire professional competencies. Clinical education is one of the most important components of a nursing curriculum as it develops the students’ cognitive, psychomotor and affective skills (competencies). As the numbers of students increase coupled with the faculty shortage, clinical preceptors are the best choice to ensure student learning in the clinical settings. This study assessed clinical preceptors’ views and experiences of precepting nursing students at Tenwek Hospital by looking at the preceptors’ personal, work place related factors and the predictors of effective preceptorship. Materials and Methods: Cross sectional research design was adopted. Data was collected from 134 participants who received structured questionnaires, SPSS version 25 was used to perform analysis. Validity tested was done with Cronbach’s alpha ( = 0.885) indicating that the questionnaire was reliable. Results: Findings showed that the resources, preceptor’s preparation and selections have significant influence on effective preceptorship (mean=3.86, SD=0.9961, Friedman test X(14) =496.399, p=0.001) and likewise to communication & Support system and Preceptorship (mean=3.6495, SD=1.140, Friedman test X(6) =123.763, p=0.001). Communication, support systems, resources, preceptor preparation & selection were found to be predictors of effective preceptorship. Conclusion: From the study in can be concluded that resources, preceptor’s preparation and selection are important factors for a successful preceptorsh., Furthermore, effective communication& Support system was observed to significantly play a critical role in Preceptorship. From the study it can also be noted that number of students’ nurses, structures and processes are significant predictors of effective preceptorship. In general Preceptorship models, play a key role in clinical teaching as it helps the students to develop the necessary professional attributes and as well as apply theory in real practice. Hence it is very critical for training institutions to design a preceptorship model that ensures motivation of preceptors among other factors for a successful clinical teaching.