Nursing preceptors are qualified, experienced, and adept nurses mandated to professionally guide new inexperienced graduate nurses and other new staff members joining the facility or department for a specified period. Their goal is to enhance the confidence and competence of the novice and new nurses to ensure they deliver high-standard care. On the other hand, nursing mentors are experienced nurses who serve as role models, providing professional support to the new graduates and experienced BSN inside and outside the working environment for an unspecified period of time. Nurse preceptors and mentors are critical pillars in enhancing nursing professionalism and competence.
New graduates benefit from the preceptorship by acquiring the required assistance to put the knowledge they gained during their training into practice. For the case of experienced BSN, it helps in instilling confidence and a sense of belonging in the place of work. In addition, it promotes self-identity to pursue professional development needs for both the new graduate and experienced BSN (Carson-Newman University, 2021). On the other hand, mentorship helps develop leadership skills such as accountability in health care delivery, proper communication skills, collaboration, and teamwork for new graduates. Experienced BSN acquires skills in handling administrative tasks, supervision, and effective patient care in their new departments (Nursing and Midwifery Council, 2020). Generally, the benefits gained from the nurse preceptor and mentor do not differ but complement each other.
The recommended duration for precentorship is 12 months from the time of joining the facility. This is adequate time for new graduate preceptee to familiarize themselves with their roles and responsibilities. Experienced BSN preceptee learn about emerging practices in their current departments, job descriptions, and general expectations as duly qualified registered nurses. However, their precentorship duration should be less than 12 months since they already have experience and have served in different capacities. (CapitalNurse, 2017). Mentorship for new graduates has no time limits since there is new knowledge development every day through experiences while going about daily duties; learning is endless. They take part in handling critical cases and experience how decisions are made by factoring in what is urgent against what is not. Experienced BSN benefits from the exchange of new ideas and efficient ways of tackling emerging issues in the nursing fraternity (Setati & Nkosi, 2017). It also raises their confidence since they are involved and sometimes consulted while making important decisions within the department
Any experienced nurse can volunteer as a mentor, and a mentee can approach them in volition. If mentees feel they are not getting the relevant support they need, they are free to choose any qualified and competent mentor of their choice to be a role model; however, whoever they opt for must be experienced and competent (Mills, 2021). If receptors are not delivering what they ought to, they are reported to relevant authorities (Union Media, n.d.). This will allow them to take measures to address the issues without interfering with normal operations in the affected department.
As a requirement of any conflict resolution, there must be an admission from parties involved that it does exist. Once achieved, a sit-down to address the issue is organized, and rules are set. Everyone involved must express willingness to resolve the issue without conditions or offending anyone. Suppose there is no achievement of an amicable solution; a third has to be involved as a mediator to bring a solution that will enable smooth operations and coordination of the department (OHSU, n.d.). This approach is applied to both new graduates and experienced BSN with their respective preceptors and mentors.
References
CapitalNurse. (2017). Preceptorship Framework – Health Education England. NHS. Web.
Carson-Newman University. (2021). 5 inspiring benefits of preceptorship. Carson-Newman. Web.
Mills, M. (2021). 4 reasons nurses need mentors. Allnurses. Web.
Nursing and Midwifery Council. (2020). Principles of preceptorship. The Nursing and Midwifery Council. Web.
OHSU. (n.d.). School of Medicine Mentoring. OHSU. Web.
Setati, C. M., & Nkosi, Z. Z. (2017). The perceptions of professional nurses on student mentorship in clinical areas: A study in Polokwane Municipality hospitals, Limpopo Province. Health SA Gesondheid. Web.
Union Media. (n.d.). What to do when your preceptor is a bully. Union Test Prep. Web.