Date of Award

2025

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy

College

College of Education and International Services

Program

Leadership PhD

First Advisor

Sharon Aka

Second Advisor

Jennifer Ross

Third Advisor

Melissa Duprey

Abstract

Problem

The use of clinical preceptors for training is well documented in the literature as an effective strategy for helping students, new graduates, and RNs orient to their roles in healthcare facilities. The need to ensure that the preceptor is adequately trained and then matched to a preceptee for a successful relationship is a challenge. The healthcare facility does its best to identify a preceptor and ensure adequate training is completed and there is a willingness to facilitate the experience. The academic institution is required to ensure that preceptors are chosen based on criteria outlined by the board of nursing and the outcomes of the preceptorship. The student is placed in this rotation with little to no input into their preferences and needs. The purpose of this study was to examine two-year associate degree nursing program students’ perceptions of their assigned preceptor in their final practicum nursing course. There are two variables that the researcher aims to study, including senior nursing students in their final quarter before graduation and the preceptors who work with the senior nursing students one-on-one.

Method

This study utilized a descriptive correlational methodology that explored senior nursing students’ perceptions of their preceptors. Using the adapted PSAT-40 for nursing students and demographic variables, the researcher was able to understand the overall perception of students’ thoughts of their preceptor across three categories: 1) skills and attitudes; 2) knowledge and understanding; and 3) administration resources and support and a total score.

Results

The data shows that overall, the student’s perceptions of their preceptors were that they were proficient, with a mean score of 185. Additionally, all three subdomains demonstrate proficiency. It was noted that student’s with a career background as a CNA, MA, Firefighter, EMT significantly impacts the overall perception of their preceptor. In addition

Conclusions

The research questions evaluated the adapted PSAT-40 tool and collected demographic data which qualified the researcher to evaluate and then answer the questions through a non-experimental descriptive correlational design. The research questions one, two, and three analyzed the adapted PSAT-40 tool and noted that overall, students felt that their preceptors were proficient in each of the sub-categories 1) skills & attitudes, 2) knowledge & understanding, 3) administrative support and resources. Research questions four and five reviewed the correlations between the demographics and the data and really helped to appreciate what aspects of the data the students feel impacted their preceptors. The significant results included those students who have previous experience in healthcare, including CNA, EMT, paramedic/firefighter, or MA, rated their preceptors significantly higher than students who did not. Additionally, preceptors who received training also had significantly higher proficiency scores for the adapted PSAT-40.

Subject Area

Nursing--Study and teaching (Preceptorship);

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