Competency model for nurse preceptors developed

Researchers developed a national consensus model of nurse preceptor competencies nurse leaders can use to select, develop, assess, evaluate and support preceptors. Published in the January issue of the Journal of Nursing Administration, the competencies are the first nationally developed standards for preceptors. Currently, health care staff often serve as preceptors without preparation for the role, without formal feedback on their performance and without the support they need. The competencies are based on the Association for Nursing Professional Development’s National Preceptor Practice Study. The project researchers now are developing a preceptor assessment tool to screen, conduct preceptor self-assessment, provide initial and ongoing preceptor assessment and enable managers, residency/fellowship program directors and preceptors to evaluate their performance.