There is a need for the provision of professional development opportunities for nurses working within care homes in the UK especially at a time when there is a growing demand for nurses within both health and social care settings. This article presents the key findings from an evaluation of a short professional development programme that was offered to a group of care home nurses working in East London. The findings indicate that most of those who attended the programme reported that it was likely that their practice would improve as result.

Preceptorship was first promoted as part of the Project 2000 reforms, and evidence suggests it remains valuable to newly qualified nurses. Although there is a lack of research of its effect on patient care, what research there is highlights various positive aspects of preceptorship programmes for newly qualified nurses, preceptors, and organisations. This article summarises the results of a scoping review of the literature, published since 2009, on preceptorship. It also describes a preceptorship initiative in London led by Health Education England.