Conference Proceedings - School of Nursing & Midwifery - Trinity ...

School of Nursing & Midwifery, Trinity College Dublin: 8 th Annual Interdisciplinary Research Conference
Transforming Healthcare Through Research, Education & Technology: 7 th – 9 th November 2007
Conference Proceedings
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Preceptorship: A comparison of responses from preceptors
and student nurses.
Presenters / Researchers:
Catrina Heffernan, RGN, RNT, BSc (Hons), MSc
Lecturer, Department of Nursing and Health Care Studies, Institute
of Technology, Co. Kerry. 066 7191962
Elizabeth Heffernan, RGN, RM, RNT, BSc (Hons), MA, H.Dip (Educ),
H.Dip (Managt), Director of Kerry Nurse Education Centre, Kerry
General Hospital, Tralee, Co. Kerry. 066 7184440
Mary Brosnan, RNID, RGN, BNS, RNT, MComm (Hons),
Lecturer, Department of Nursing and Health Care Studies, Institute
of Technology, Co. Kerry. 066 7191952
DR. Gary Brown, PhD, MSc, RNT, RGN, Head of Department,
Nursing and Health Care Studies, Institute of Technology, Co. Kerry.
066 7191692
Background and Context:
The allocation of student nurses to the clinical placement area is an
integral part and major component of the curriculum for the
undergraduate Bachelor of Science Degree (BSc.) in Nursing. While
on placement each student should be assigned a named preceptor.
A preceptor is a registered nurse who has been prepared for their
role by completing a Teaching, Assessing/ Preceptorship
programme.
Aim of the Study:
The original study evaluated teaching, assessing and preceptorship
programmes. The intention of this paper is to report on one aspect
of this study which explores preceptor characteristics through a
structured comparison of responses from key stakeholder groups of
preceptors and student nurses.
Methodology:
A formative utilisation focussed evaluation approach was adopted.
This approach values the opinions and experiences of stakeholders.
A sequential triangulation approach was implemented:
� Phase 1:
o (a) documentary analysis
o (b) focus group interviews.
� Phase 2: questionnaire formulation, distribution and analysis.
Sample:
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