Exploring core competencies of clinical nurse preceptors: A nominal group technique study

Abstract

Aim: The aim of this study was to explore core competencies of nurse preceptors based on the perspectives of postgraduate-year nurses, nurse preceptors and head nurses.

Background: Perspectives of core competencies of nurse preceptors are varied among postgraduate-year nurses, nurse preceptors and head nurses, which makes it difficult to establish preceptor training programs and develop evaluation instruments.

Design: A nominal group technique study.

Methods: A nominal group technique procedure was applied to small-group and large-group discussion. The participants were recruited from the inpatient units at five nonprofit hospitals, each having over 1000 patient beds, in Taiwan. A total of 101 participants were involved in this study: 32 postgraduate-year nurses, 42 nurse preceptors and 27 head nurses, who were respectively sorted into five, six and four small groups with six to eight members in each group. After applying nominal group technique procedure, the core competencies were scored and ranked. Based on the final scores and ranking, the core competencies that the participants felt to be most important for nurse preceptors were identified. The expert panel then integrated these core competencies and derived a consensus.

Results: Seven core competencies of nurse preceptors were derived, in order of declining importance: teaching traits, clinical nursing profession, communication and collaboration, teaching pedagogy, reaction of contingency, critical thinking and reflection and consultation on academic writing. All participants perceived that teaching traits (198 points) and clinical nursing profession (161 points) were the most important. Consultation of academic writing is unique, which may be due to the clinical ladder system still being implemented in Taiwan.

Conclusions: The nominal group technique is an efficient and proper method to conduct a consensus for specific issues or values among individuals and groups. The results of this study can facilitate the development of evaluation indicators or instruments as well as provide a direction of continuing education program for preceptor training.

Keywords: Communication; Core competence; Critical thinking; Nominal group technique; Nurse preceptor; Postgraduate-year (PGY) nurses; Reflection; Teaching pedagogy.