Preceptorship

As the period of preceptorship comes to end preceptees should be thinking about their on-going career development and what steps they need to take to reach career goals and ambitions. Furthermore, as Registered nurses, midwives and SCPHNs preceptees have a duty to maintain their skills and knowledge for safe and effective practice within their specialist field, and to demonstrate via the Revalidation process that they are ‘living’ the standards set out in The Code (NMC, 2018).

Many of the skills, good practice, and processes gained during the preceptorship period are transferrable and will support practitioners to meet the on-going requirements of NMC Revalidation (NMC, 2019), and to be reflective, self-aware and proactive in identifying their own individual strengths and areas for further professional development. A variety of resources and processes are available within NHS Scotland, on Turas Learn, the Knowledge Network, and locally within NHS territorial boards, to support practitioners to maintain their professional practice within their role, or to develop the knowledge, skills and expertise to achieve their career development goals and ambitions.

For example, at the end of the preceptorship period preceptees are advised to use the Professional Development Plan and Appraisal process to reflect on their preceptorship experience and to identify areas for further development to incorporate within their professional development plan for the next 12 months. Furthermore, preceptees are encouraged to explore, and utilise any clinical supervision opportunities within their local area. Support processes may vary between areas, however the skills developed, and resources used during the preceptorship period will prepare practitioners to access the necessary resources and support to move forward in their chosen career pathway and can be revisited again within the preceptorship framework as and when required.