Scotland’s Preceptorship Framework
On 1 September we launched a new Preceptorship resource for nurses and midwives in Scotland via a webinar. We developed it and the framework for preceptorship in Scotland in response to the publication of the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC, 2020) ‘Principles for Preceptorship’.
The Preceptorship resource aims to promote consistency in the provision of preceptorship programmes offered by NHS Boards; Health and Social Care Partnerships and other organisations that employ nurses and midwives across Scotland.
The aim of preceptorship is to support newly registered practitioners, or those new to a role or environment, to integrate within their new teams and to assimilate to the culture and practice of their new workplaces and role. Evidence suggests that the offer of a good preceptorship experience is attractive to newly qualified nurses and midwives and helps retain nurses and midwives in their posts creating a stable and satisfied workforce.
The NMC (2020) recommends 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, return to practice students and nurses from overseas and new to the United Kingdom. In Scotland the offer of preceptorship has been expanded to include nurses and midwives new to a role or environment.
The work towards developing a national approach to preceptorship began with the ‘Shaping Preceptorship for Nurses and Midwives in Scotland’ event held in March 2020. This was a dynamic and lively event that provided an opportunity to explore ideas about preceptorship and to share current good practice with colleagues across Scotland and the UK.
Following publication of the NMC ‘Principles for Preceptorship’ in July 2020, NES reconvened an Advisory Group and a Short Life Working Group, comprising nurses and midwives working in practice and education, as well as colleagues from NES and Scottish Government. The purpose being to lead and drive the preceptorship project and embed the NMC principles in practice.
The webinar recording and the preceptorship framework can be accessed on TURAS Learn or from the links below:
Scotland’s Preceptorship Framework
Preceptorship Launch Webinar
September, 29 2021