Preceptor preparation is critical to the success of all orientation programs. This article focuses on the purposes of preceptor preparation and a series of programs developed for the staff of Surgical Services. The programs are leveled and focus on basic and advanced concepts. The advanced program is a means of reward and recognition for preceptors in the various surgical services areas. The programs are designed for nurses and other staff involved in precepting new employees.

The information contained in this article is based on the personal experience of the author and her colleagues. The author's experience includes: staff nurse in medical surgical and critical care nursing, midnight shift supervisor of six medical surgical nursing units in an urban teaching hospital (responsibilities included attending all codes in the department), staff nurse in a combined inpatient/outpatient postanesthesia care unit, nurse clinician/educator for multiple preoperation and postanesthesia care units, and attendance at numerous mortality and morbidity conferences held by the department of anesthesia. Research for this article included interviews with several colleagues with experience in medical surgical and critical care nursing as staff nurses, supervisors (responsible to attend codes), and staff educators. One colleague interviewed is also a regional faculty member of the American Heart Association and also a member of the CPR Committee of a large metropolitan teaching institution. The purpose of this article is to assist nurses in becoming more confident and comfortable in providing the interventions required by patients during resuscitation.

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