Emotional Health Among Adolescents Experiencing Family Homelessness

Abstract

Research Questions: Question 1: What do advanced practice nurses perceive as barriers and incentives to precepting nurse practitioner students? Question 2: Do incentives offered by graduate nursing programs meet the expectations of nurse practitioner preceptors?Methods: This was a descriptive study using convenience sampling. Following approval by Cincinnati ChildrenÕs Hospital IRB, data were collected using an online, anonymous questionnaire developed by Webb, Lopez, & Guarino to study nurse practitioner preceptors. Descriptive and frequency summaries were computed for all study variables, including percentages for categorical variables.Findings: A total of 81 advanced practice registered nurses participated (response rate 30%). The majority were willing to continue to precept (85%). The foremost barriers to precepting were time factors, concerns regarding the ability to meet productivity demands, and lack of space for students. Individual incentives for precepting were prior association with a student, professional obligation, and learning opportunities. Professional incentives for precepting included credit towards professional certification, contact information for faculty, and process for evaluation of students.Clinical Implications: Identifying barriers and incentives to precepting is necessary for building an environment and culture supportive of precepting with nurse practitioner programs and health care organizations. The foremost barriers to precepting identified in this study occur at the institutional level. The most influential incentives suggest preceptors desire improved collaborative communication with clinical faculty. Lastly, precepting must be more formally recognized and supported by administrators and nursing faculty.