What is preceptorship?
Defining preceptorship in Scotland, information on the overall aim of preceptorship and the staff groups that should be taking part.
About Preceptorship
It is recognised that there are similarities and differences, as well as areas of overlap between the concepts of mentorship, supervision and preceptorship (Morton-Cooper & Palmer, 2000). Although all three are valuable and have an important role in supporting practitioners throughout their career journey, lack of understanding of these concepts may lead to confusion by some practitioners. Therefore, within this resource, preceptorship is defined as additional support and guidance offered to nurses, midwives and SCPHNs during their transition or adaptation, to a new role. It is person-centred focusing on the learning and development needs of the preceptee (practitioner transitioning to new role). It is also time limited focusing on the period of transition, and the adaptation, and socialisation into the new culture and environment, as well as learning and development within the new role.
Preceptorship embraces the values of NHS Scotland (care and compassion; dignity and respect; openness, honesty and responsibility; and quality and teamwork) and provides a safe, supportive and trusting environment that supports nurses and midwives to adapt to, and develop the required knowledge and skills to work confidently in their new role, culture and/ or environment.
The Nursing and Midwifery Council (2020) recommended that all new registrants receive a period of preceptorship to support their transition to their new role and to becoming an accountable practitioner. New registrants include newly qualified first level nurses and midwives; registered first level nurses and midwives new to the Specialist Community Public Health Nursing (SCPHN) part of the NMC Register, and nurses from overseas and new to the United Kingdom.
In Scotland the concept of preceptorship has broadened to also include nurses and midwives new to a role or environment. For example, this may include overseas nurses or midwives who have taken up a nursing or midwifery position in Scotland; nurses and midwives who have transferred to a new ward or setting; nurses and midwives who have secured a promotion; as well as nurses and midwives new to managerial and executive roles.
The Aim of Preceptorship
According to the NMC (2020) the aim of preceptorship is to support newly registered practitioners to integrate within their new team and to assimilate to the culture and practice of their new workplace and role. Preceptorship complements induction and does not replace it. Neither should preceptorship be confused with formal appraisal processes within the workplace or organisation. Rather, preceptorship facilitates practitioners to adapt to their new role and responsibilities, further develop their knowledge and skills, and apply their learning to practice within a safe and supportive environment that enables them to develop professionally and become autonomous practitioners in their new role and setting.
All new employees in Scotland are required to undertake a corporate induction if new to the organisation and / or a local induction if new to a role or setting within the same organisation. Newly registered nurses, midwives and allied health professionals in Scotland are also offered Flying Start ® NHS which is a national work-based learning programme that complements preceptorship. There is an expectation in Scotland that all newly registered nurses, midwives and allied health professionals will engage with, and complete the Flying Start ® NHS programme within their first year of practice.
Find out more about the Flying Start ® NHS programme on TURAS Learn:
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Flying Start NHS®
Flying Start NHS® is the national development programme for all newly qualified nurses, midwives and allied health professionals in Scotland, to be undertaken in the first year of practice.
Learn more about Preceptorship
Background to preceptorship in Scotland
What does preceptorship in Scotland look like?
Why is preceptorship needed?
Why is a preceptorship framework needed?