Why you should read this article:

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To appreciate that effective preceptorship may play an important role in nurse retention

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To understand the factors that can influence the effectiveness of preceptorship programmes

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To enhance your awareness of the characteristics of effective preceptors

The ageing population and the rising prevalence of long-term conditions have placed higher demands on primary care services, with practice nurses managing increasingly complex patient needs. As a result, there is a need to focus on improving the retention of primary care staff, including practice nurses, and to consider how effective preceptorship could assist in addressing some of the issues that cause newly registered nurses to leave the profession. This article discusses various factors that can influence the effectiveness of preceptorship programmes, including transition shock, emotional strain, the education-practice gap, the characteristics of preceptors and feedback.