Exploring newly registered nurses’ experiences of preceptorship in primary care: a literature review

Preceptorship has a crucial role in supporting newly registered nurses as they transition from student status into professional practice. However, the implementation and structure of preceptorship programmes in primary care is variable. This literature review aimed to examine newly registered nurses’ experience of preceptorship in primary care settings. Five articles were selected for review. Overall, the findings suggest that newly registered nurses find the transition into primary care roles challenging, but that effective support, such as access to a nominated preceptor, a clear role description, practical assistance with day-to-day tasks, opportunities to discuss workplace issues, supernumerary status and professional development opportunities, can facilitate this process. The findings also suggest that preceptorship provision and preceptor preparation is variable. Addressing these issues is crucial to optimising the preceptorship experience and could be achieved through wider implementation of structured, funded preceptorship programmes.